St. Helena Island

In 2010 on 17 meter band, I worked ZD7FT and sent a QSL card with some green stamps.  It never yielded a response.  I've resent the QSL (and more green stamps) several times over the years to get the QSL card confirmation.  Nothing returned.

Then I saw ZD7MY working 30 meter on FT-8 and worked a contact.  As I read their QRZ page information about QSL I came across this statement from ZD7MY:

"I do not accept the following when applying for QSL confirmation;

QSL using the online internet logging Lotw etc as its outdated and not in use

Copies of electronic QSL cards via email

Paypal services

QSL cards sent via the Buro service  (No Buro on ZD7)"

I had to wonder.  "as it is outdated and not in use?"   I think LOTW has surpassed one billion QSO's recently. 

I had no idea it is "outdated" and "not in use". (hint: It isn't outdated -- it uses symmetric key encryption and is definitely in use.

The QSL instructions for ZD7MY involve using a very specific mailing address to avoid thieves from getting into the envelope to take the green stamps.   I love QSL cards as much as the next person, but if the DX is difficult to QSL with, then LOTW is by far the most effective (and secure) way to prove a QSO.  (see the comment about symmetric keys).

I think there needs to be an edit to the boiler plate "Good DX Practices" mantra that if the QSL is going to be difficult, switch to LOTW.   It's non-commercial, free, secure.   It will also save a lot of money.