There is a growing frustration in the DX community over stations, mostly in rare or hard to reach entities, who ask for money before they will confirm a contact. Here is what is going on, and why it matters.
A confirmed contact is only as good as the system that confirms it. Here is how paper QSLs, LoTW, and eQSL actually differ, and how awards like DXCC use them.
How to install WSJT-X, Ham Radio Deluxe, GridTracker, and TQSL, and get them syncing so every FT8 contact logs itself and uploads to LoTW, QRZ, and PSK Reporter automatically.