This report covers the operation of the CARS QSL Bureau for the period May 2011 – April 2012.
Figures for the previous year are in parentheses.

Summary

• The number of incoming and outgoing QSLs has continued to decline.
• Germany continues to be the largest sender of QSLs, with 33% of all
  QSLs received coming from there.
• I do not propose that the 2c per outgoing card rate is increased.

Incoming Cards

The total weight of incoming cards has fallen by over 22% since the previous year.
This follows a drop of 7% a year earlier.
The continuing decrease in the number of QSLs received over the last few years is
shown in the following chart:

Total weight of cards received: 41.3kg (53.4kg)

Number of packages: 87 (79)

Number of countries: 40 (49).

The top 3 biggest senders were: DL 33% (20%), EA 9% (6.8%), OK 6.2% (6%)

I would like to thank Aris 5B4JE and Spyros 5B4MF, for their part in getting incoming cards to me.
Cards are distributed every few weeks to the distribution points in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Pafos.
Also, I would like to thank 5B4AHS/RA3AUU who delivers QSLs from the Russian bureau.

Thanks to all who assist in the delivery of cards to the regional distribution points,
and in particular to Spyros 5B4MF, Aris 5B4JE, Nick 5B4FL, Erricos 5B4GJ, and Nicos, 5B4CV.

Outgoing Cards

The number of outgoing QSLs also continues to decline.
This decline is a direct consequence of the decline in the number of incoming QSLs.

The following are the statistics for outgoing cards for the period:

Number of outgoing QSLs processed: 4,274 (8,955)

Weight of outgoing QSLs processed: 12.2 kg (29.8kg)

Weight of outgoing QSLs shipped: 13.4kg (28.7 kg)

Number of packages shipped: 84 (128) to 52 (49) countries

The top 4 bureaux to which cards were sent were:

DL 23.8% (20.6%), I 9.3% (13.9%), UA 8.0% (4.9%), JA 4.5% (6.6%)

Average weight per QSL + label: 2.87g (2.89g)

Minimum QSL + label  weight: 2.14g (2.49g)

Maximum QSL + label weight: 4.23g (3.63g)

A number of members have sent more than 2c per out-going QSL, some generously so,
recognising that the weight of their QSLs is more than the 2.8g required average
which 2c per card covers.

Hand-carrying of cards

Opportunities for saving money by hand-carrying outgoing cards to various bureaux
have been low over the year.
Thanks to the following who have carried packages this year: 5B4AHS (RA3AUU), 5B4AGE.

Financial

Note 1: Liabilities.

I have 87 part filled envelopes. I normally ship envelopes when they contain 150g of QSLs,
which costs €1.04. Assuming these un-shipped envelopes are on average 50% full,
the shipping cost would be 87 * 0.5 * 1.04, or €45.24.
This figure excludes the replacement cost of the envelopes.

I see no need to increase the charge per outgoing card from €0.02 at the present time.
However, we must be mindful of the fact that hand carrying of outgoing QSLs
reduces the cost of running the bureau, and we may not be able to depend upon this forever.

Again, I remind everyone to consider the weight of their cards when ordering new cards.

Alan Jubb 5B4AHJ

CARS QSL Bureau Manager