Source: ARRL

05/26/2010

Many hams have long complained about difficulties they have encountered when purchasing International Reply Coupons (IRCs) from their local post offices. Now the US Postal Service (USPS) has made it easier to get those IRCs to send with your direct QSL cards — order them online from the USPS Web site. The USPS ships all in-stock domestic orders for stamps and retail items within 1 business day via Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation or First Class Mail. Shipments should arrive within 3-5 business days. All stamp orders are charged a $1 handling fee, regardless of the order amount. IRCs purchased from the USPS, whether online or in person at a post office, cost $2.10 each.

International reply coupons (IRCs) provide foreign addressees with a prepaid means of responding to inquiries, solicitations, or other types of communications that are initiated by US senders. IRCs are exchangeable for postage stamps by postal administrations in member countries of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). Each IRC is equivalent in value to the destination country’s minimum postage price for an unregistered airmail letter. According to the UPU, some 2.2 million reply coupons are sold each year by 121 postal administrations. While not all countries sell IRCs, all the postal operators of the UPU’s 191 member countries, and their territories, are required to exchange them.

More than a century after it first appeared in 1907, the IRC remains a useful item. Aside from its traditional use for correspondence, according to the UPU, two particular groups of users have emerged: Students who use them as a means of exchanging correspondence with academic institutions, and Amateur Radio enthusiasts, who use coupons when exchanging their QSL cards.

As of October 11, 2007, only those IRCs that have been printed by the UPU may be redeemed at US post offices. The valid version of the international reply coupons printed by the UPU is approximately 3.75 inches by 6 inches, has a bar code on the back and an expiration date of December 31, 2013. This policy is for those IRCs issued by the United States, as well as for those issued by foreign postal administrations.

The Radio Amateur is:

Considerate…never knowingly uses the air in such a way to lesson the pleasure of others.

Loyal…offers loyalty, encouragement and support to their fellow radio amateurs, their local radio club, and to the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio is represented.

Progressive…with knowledge abreast of science. It is well-built and efficient. Operating practice is above reproach.

Friendly…slow and patient sending when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are marks of the amateur spirit.

Balanced…radio is their hobby. They never allow it to interfere with any of the duties they owe to their home, job, church, school, or community.

Patriotic…their knowledge and their station are always ready for the service of his country and their community/

Who wrote the Amateur’s Creed?

The Amateur Creed was composed in 1928 by Paul M. Segal – then 9EEA in Denver, and General Counsel of the ARRL. The creed has been updated a few times over the intervening years, to update the text and put it into contemporary terms.

The Amateur’s Creed appears in a number of ARRL publications such as the Handbook, and is just as valid today as it has been for nearly 70 years.

The May issue of Wireline is available here

73, Steve

Our next club meeting is Thursday, May 13th.

The VE testing session starts at 6:00 PM and our meeting follows at 7:30 PM. You do not have to be a member to attend a meeting.

MARC 2010 Officers

President:
Vice President: Jeff Clemmons, KD8LZK
Treasurer: Jim Linn, WB8RRR
Secretary: Barb Steward, KA8AXY

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