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I Ox ChOd Harris VP2ML PO Box 4881 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 Antoine Baldeck F6FNU Controversial aSL Manager The February, 1989. issue of Radio , the oHicial publication of the Aeseau des Emetteurs Francais (REF, the French equivalent of the AAAl). contains a notice that aSL cards coming from a SL manager F6FNU will not be accepted for any REF award after March " 1989. The International OX Assoc iation has severed all l ies with F6FNU and asked him 10 slop putting the INDEXA logo on his QSl cards. And the AARL has sent a letter to F6FNU concerni ng his controversial OSl practices. These steps are particularly significant because Antoine Baldeck FSFNU handles a SLs lor about 150 stations, including some very active OX stations and some stations in otherwise rare countries. Among the stations for wh ich F6FNU handles ca rds are: FRIGI FH4EC, FTIWA, TR8SA, SW6JX, 5RSJo, 5T5NU , FR4FA, 3B9FR, and many more, mostly French overseas operators. Antoine is a 56-year-old grandfather, of Eastern European descent. He is a retired engineer from the French power compa ny and enjoys an 85% pension . Investigation Beg ins What has led to the above unprecedented actions? To find out, I launched a comprehensive, sixmonth investigation into Antoine Baldeck F6FN U and his OSL management. I re ceived hundreds 01 pages of material on F6FNU. from hundreds of Dxers around the world, much of it from Pierre Essinger F6HIZ (director of INDEXA), and from F6FNU himself. The con troversy surrounding F6FNU's OSL management began early in 1986, when Antoine sent a tetter to the French OX newsletter Les Nouvelles DX (LNDX) stating that French hams who wanted a direct OSL card from Antoine are requested to add one International Reply Coupon (IRC) or an additional stamp to their self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE). or FSFNU would answer via the bureau. (This 88 73Ama /eurRadio . June, 1989 Number32 on your Feedback c.rd Hams Around the World would be equivalent to a stateside manager such as W3HNK refusing to answer directly a aSL request with a self-addressed envelope with a $0.25 stamp!) In other words, F6FNU asked for money over and above the cost of return postage for a direct OSL. French amateurs were incensed by this requirement for a " tip" in addition to postage , an unprecedented practice. F6AJA, editor of LNDX, published an editorial against the demand for funds in addition to adequate return postage . F6EYS, president of the Clipperton OX Club, wrote Antoine: " I believe that a manager who c annot break even (including mailing, printing, etc.j is badly organized. II one wants to make a prolit, the explanation is different. He believes he is engaged in a trade, he becomes a commercial manager." Antoine was quick to delend his practice of requiring addit ional funds trom French pxers. He cited th e expense of printing the cards, forwarding cards to distant stations, and helping with customs duties, spare parts, etc.. all legitimate expenses for a OSL manager. However, three separate leiters from F6FNU cite another reason for the demand for additional funds. In a letter to F6AJA, one of the reasons given is " the hours spent " In a letter included with some aSLs, he says, " The extensive mail, the time I am spending t o help them . .. i s not l or free .. . OSLing takes 5 hours per day:' And in a letter to me, Antoine says, " I spent a lot of time and money on various stations." These statements from F6FNU could lead the nxer to think that Antoine expects payment for the time spent on OSL chores. Beyond France For some time, F6FNU's insis- renee on funds in addition to postage affected only French nxers. But the problem soon began to impact nxere around the WOr1d. For example, one US Dxer sent two IRCs with each of two OSL requests to FSFNU. AIthough two IRCs are sumctent for airmail return to the US, Antoine returned the cards via "Imprime Air Mail," at a cost of 3.2 French francs (about $0.50), a tidy profit . Another stateside oXer sent three separate self-ad dre s sed en vel opes with adequate French postage for airmail return . A card came back via the bureau . Antoine apparently kept the postage . Another US nxer sent four USS1 and two IRCs for five OSLs. He received one back via the bureau, another via Imprime mail, for a postage cost to F6FNU of $0.50. A very prominent nxer sent F6FNU three SAEs with three IRCs each and received his card back without postage via a package sent bulk to me! A local oXer has spent $20 trying unsuccessfully to get a card from Antoine. The cards arrived only alter FSFNU was chastised lor his aSL practices. An SWL sent Antoine 10 cards with 6.3 FFrs and an IRC. Antoine cut the stamps off the envelope and returned the cards printed matter rare for only 3 FFrs, a profit of more than 6 FFrs. Even French stations who provide as much as 20 FFrs in addition to postage have had their ca rds ret urned unanswered, sometimes covered with insults. Lately, Antoine stopped sending cards even when the US arnateur included a " greenstamp" (US $1 bill). Antoine says this is because USS1 is not enough to pay tonne airmail postage back to the US, but a single card in an airmail envelope can be sent trom France to the US for 4.8 FFrs, and USS1 equals 6.2 FFrs. Even with a 10% conversion l ax, Ihe US$l more than covers the postage. Antoine refuses 10 answer OSL requests from foreign nxere who do not include funds in addition to airmail return postage . He says. " Peop l e who send French stamps, Hi Hi. Never I send to W3HNK, or W4FRU, WA3HUP an SAE with $0.45. Th is process don't agree me. It's good only for very poor. poor peoples." a SL via the Bureau? Many Dxars prefer to OSL via the worldwide bureau system. Antoine stales in letters to F6AJA, "Those who have the real ham spirit should send all their OSLs only through the bureau, as it is my wish," and, " I prefer to receive the French OSLs via the bureau as I can take all the time to control them and to answer them twice a year via the REF." But later Antoine writes. "I have resigned from the REF. Consequently, no more a SL via the bureau ." Antoine says Ihat 98% of his French friends are not members of the REF and thus cannot receive cards via the REF bureau. (About 50 % of French amateurs are members of the REF.) Many nxers outside 01 France have received cards from F6FNU via their own bureau. Antoine sends cards that he receives without SAEs (or without adequate payment in addition to postage) to various bureaus worl dwide, including the W2 bureau. These cards are eventually distributed via the in-coming bureau system. How to Get a Card from F6FNU Despite all the prcerems. F6FNU does OSL, if you follow his rules 10 the letter. Thousands 01 nxers around the world have learned to live with Antoine's rigid rules and receive their OSLs on a timely basis. In fact , more than a dozen OXers wrote letters to me specifically defending F6FNU, saying he is a good OSL manager. Many stated that by sending US$2 and an SAE, or sufficient funds in addition to retu rn postage, they never had any problem getting cards from Antoine. Antoine even sent copies 01 more than 100 thank you notes he has received over the years. Obviously, the majority of amateurs are willing to accept his rules, in exchange for their OSL. To get a card from F6FNU, first select a good-quality, unaltered aSL card , with your callsign on the same side as the report. Then carefully fill out the card, paying particular attention not to smudge or correct any of the information on the card. regardless of importance. Any errors will probably mean you will not get a return OSL, so if you make a mistake, don't correct it; start over with a new card. Then send the card to Antoi ne Baldeck F6FNU, B.P. 14, 91291 Arpajon Cedex, France, with a self-addressed. airmail envelope, with your country clearly indicated on the return envelope. Don't try to use return address stickers to reduce return postage costs; Antoine doesn't like them . Don't send cards lor more than one callsign in a single envelope. Include one IRC per request for Europeans, two IRCs for anyone else. Don't send French stamps or foreign currency. (Antoine says not to send USS1, but he does OSL if you send US $2, or US $1 with an SASE.) If you follow these rules, you have a 90% chance of receiving your return OSL. Good luck!III
Listings are frfJfJ ofcharge liS spac.. permits PJaase send uS your Special Event 111'0 months in advance of the issue J'OlI want il to appear in. For examplfl, if you wan t il to appearin1116 Juna iSSU9. W9 shouldreceive itby March 3/. Provid911 cleaf, COncis9 summa!)' of 1M eSS8ntial de/ails aboI.Jl your SpIK'ial Ewm l. PEOTON E IL MAV 21 The annual Hamlest sponsored by the Kankakee Area Radio Society will be al the Will County Fair\jfounds rrern 8 AM to 3 PM. Indoor e.hib~ area , AARL booth, large oul· dOG< nea market. F,.... parking. $2.50 eevance. $3 at door. Talk-in On 146.34/.94. KARS clo Frank ValCanton KA9PWW, RR I Box 361 , C/lebanSflIL 60922.(815) 937-2452 before 4 PM CST or (815) 932-6703 e venings, s c o nSBLUFF NE JU NE 2-4 The Tri-Gily Radio Amateur Clu b will operate W0VON 10 celebrat.. the Centennial 01 Banner County . Suggested fr equencies, SSB-3.92O, 7.240, 14.250, 21,300, 28,400, 5250. CW-3.725 , 7.125, 14.125, 21.120, 28,130, For QSl and large wrtl1icate, send SASe to PO Box 925, ScorrsbMf NE 69363- """ CA TSKILLS NY JUNE2-5 T he 3 rd international convention of Chaverim Inlernational lor Jewish amateu' radio operators will be al the Raleigh in fhe Catskill mountains, Three meals a day, ente, tainment, use of facilities, coc ktail parly, dinnerdanee, meetings. SonnyGUlin WB2DXB, 42 ArrolOWOOd Court, Deptford NJ 08096. (609)853-7889 JOHNSTOWN PA JUNE 3 The Conemaugh Valley ARC w,1I operata WA3WGN to com memorate the centennial of the fklod 011889. Operalion will be on the lower General phone bands 01 20 and 40 mefars. and l he Novice phone porlion of the 10 meter band . For com memorative QSl , send 110 SASE to Conamaugh Valley ARC. 194 Barron Ave.. Johnsrown PA 15906, DEERFIELD NH J UNE3 The Hosst,aders tlea markel is back atftHol Oaerfield Fairgrounds, Naw dale, this sp'ing only . Admission, $5, camping nom inal. PrOf_ irs benelit Shrine,s' Hospitals, last year's g ift {)\Ier $201< . Hand icap accessible. Questions, mil>', send SASE to WA IIVB. RFD Box 57, Wesl Bal free. Talk-in On 141 ,031,63 end tee.sa simpklx. Mike Bvmpvs N9GIK, RR2, Wesf Union IL 624 77. (217) 279-3840; or Bryan Chlysler. 110 N , Randall, Mal _ tinsvi"" IL 62442. (217) 382-4640, WENATCHEE WA JUNE 3_4 Apple City ARC W7TD will hold its Hamfesl at Rocky Reach Dam, $5 for hams. $1 for others. Free camplt,ailer space with power. Ham Doings Around the World Prize drawing alte, Saturday poUuck, Equipment displays. Swap Shop. VE eums, tiSh viewing room, banquet, arts and cralls. Talk_ in on 2 meter FM , 146.301 ,90. 147.381.98, 146.49 simplex. Bob La/limp. T/easure" 919 N. Woodward Drive. Wenatcllee WA 98801 . MADISON OH J UNE 3--4 The Wirele ss Ins1itute of Northern Ohio (W.I, N,O,j, sponsor&d by the Lake C'fesl w,ll be at the Union ail Co, Newlove Picnic Grounds. Swap tebtee . p'ize drawings, games, Santa Maria Bar-B.Q. All proceeds support lhe programs of th" Saleliile Amaleu, Rad io Club. Talk-in on 146,94 (down) W8611YIR. Hank Korczak W6PME. 917 West Anthony Way, LompocCA 93436. (605) 736 1761. NYCNY JUNE 26 The Radio Clvb 01 Junior H igh School 22 NYC. !"C.• will ope rale WB2JKJ from 1100- 2000 UTC on the above dale in recog nil ion of the tirsl day of sum mervacalion for the sc hool children of the 8'll Apple. 7.238 and 21.395 MHz only wiil be used . For an i n C , edi b~ QSL. send your card 10 TIle Crew al 22. PO Bo x t052, New York NY 10002. 73 Amateur Radio • Jun e, 19B9 89
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