Contributions? of $10-$25 or so would be A-OK on this end.? Please
do not make mandatory for the reasons Kay mentioned.
Ask those who want QSLs to pay something.? Maybe try asking for a
donation this year to see how much comes in.?? No digital QSLs,
please.?
Digital certificates are fine.? Easy to print these days using photo
paper. No need to spend for hard copies especially with the new
postal rates. Ugh!!
I'll sniff around Hamvention this year looking for some company
which might offer to help with the cost of QSLs.??? If I strike oil,
I'll let you know.
I wanted to let everyone know that Ken, KU2US, the founder
and boss of 13 Colonies, has retired due to health issues.? He
appointed a successor, Tony N4ATJ.? I had hoped he would leave
it to the colony-managers to carry on the show but that's not
happening.? We have a Zoom call tomorrow (Friday May 2) evening
to discuss the Special Event going forward.?
?
I've been told -- in addition to the huge investment of time
and expense I already make -- I am asked to pay for 1,000 QSL
cards, costing about $150, this year.
?
In the past, Ken paid for these -- I understand from the
monies he netted on certificate fulfillment ($5 solicited,
actual cost of certificates and postage $2, leaving a net of
about $4,500 a year on 1,500 certificates sent out;? some of
this revenue was used to pay for QSLs).? (I also assume Ken
donated his own funds to this event, which is why I usually sent
him $25 or $50).
?
Two other colony managers told me they get donations to pay
for their QSLs.? Any idea who I would solicit?? Should I ask K2B
ops for small contributions?? I've always been happy to invest
my own funds (a) as annual donation to Ken to help him cover
costs, (b) to pay to have full-color certificates printed and
mailed to K2B ops, (c) for mugs for top 5 ops, for Ken and for
Rhonda our QSL manager, and (d) occasional bling (except that
Steve KO4ENU has contributed very generously in the bling
department!).? Also thank K2B ops for sending me occasional
extra monies (thanks Carol, KG4DTM and others).? But last year I
invested over $300 -- starting to sound like real money!
?
May I solicit K2B ops input/consensus opinion:
?
1.? Should we have a rule that all K2B ops contribute $5 to
$10 each to defray these expenses?
2.? If not, does anyone know where/how I could solicit
donation of a small sum annually to defray costs.
3.? Would you prefer I not send the hard copy certificates --
instead I could do digital ones?? (that saves maybe $100)
4.? Should I not buy mugs for top ops? (that saves about
$120)
5.? If I don't have expenses #3 and #4, I can buy the QSL
cards.
6.? This also means no more bling.
?
Thoughts?
?
Also, anyone who has not already contacted me, but who would
like to participate in K2B this year, please contact me by
email.
?
Thanks,
?
David, K2WPM
?
P.S.,? Did you see that the 13 Colonies wannabe guy is having
a special event July 1 - 13, 2025 celebrating America's 250th
birthday (which isn't until 2026 by my math)?
That will really help to confuse everyone!
?
?
