One factor in successful QSLing is staying current on verification trends. By knowing who or what is current in station news and QSLing trends, you can successfully achieve your station or country goals. Keep a sharp eye on this column, as well as hobby publications, club bulletins, email newsgroups, and on-line newsletters or blogs. Reading news and columns regularly-and the more the better, will provide information that could result in a verification.Pay attention to details such as enclosures, and the use of currency, mint postage stamps or IRC's. Beware of upcoming holidays or special events and DX Test. A list of active verification signers is a good idea, as long as they remain active as station personnel can change. Current affairs and the world political scene, can effect changes or new stations including clandestines, may abruptly sign-on.
Be alert to special transmissions that occur only once, or for a brief duration. Any of these can produce a once in a lifetime opportunity. A new transmitter, or testing a new frequency is an added opportunity for verifications. Sometimes a QSL will be specially designed for the transmitter site. When reporting a new site, request that the site be specifically noted on the verification.
Some broadcasters carry special programming that is targeted to particular areas. Last Day Transmissions can produce special QSLs. Watch too for DX programs that offer their own cards. Finally, consider sending a reception report to a recently reactivated station. This presents an excellent opportunity for the station to reestablish contact with its listening audience.
The key to successful QSLing is staying current and sharing your results with the global radio hobbyists.
(Source: Gayle Van Horn-QSL Report/Monitoring Times)