Logbook of the world – LOTW
I have just applied for an account at the Logbook of the World, the online award system of ARRL.
I have received my .tq6 file so that I am able to upload my QSOs for DL6KAC. But as I am still interested in paper QSLs this has to wait a bit 
In the next days I will upload logs for OZ0AIS and DA0HC and probably EA6/DL6KAC.
Update: .tq6 files haben been received for OZ0AIS, HB0/DL6KAC, EA6/DL6KAC and DA0HC. XE1/DL6KAC is still outstanding but I have submitted a copy of my licence so that should be ok in a few days as well.
Update: Certificate for XE1/DL6KAC just arrived in my mailbox so let’s get ready to rumble .
[tags]ham radio, amateur radio, dx, arrl[/tags]
April 28th, 2006 02:28
I have used LoTW since it first became available. I have uploaded about 2000 contacts and received about 200 confirmations. Interestingly, I have much better success in confirming contacts with DX stations than with other US amateurs. I don’t think that LoTW is widely used by US amateurs for some reason. While I love paper QSL cards for keepsakes and always send those out, it is very nice to be able to earn awards without dealing with paper cards and the hassle of getting those approved.
73 de Jeff
April 28th, 2006 03:06
Actually this is my first contact with the LotW. I always thought it will cost money when you start uploading your logs. I was wrong
… Just the application for DXCC etc. costs $$$.
I have just applied for additional certificates for XE1/DL6KAC, HB0/DL6KAC, DA0HC (ILLW 2002/2003) and EA6/DL6KAC so I will probably upload those QSOs as well.
I love paper QSLs but sometimes it is really difficult to get some contacts confirmed and I have read some comments that especially some really difficult cases confirm easily via LotW. Sometimes the world is strange
I am also registered on eqsl but I never have uploaded any logs… don’t know why
May 5th, 2006 17:36
I wish more DX stations would use LOTW. I have posted 3000 QSOs on LOTW and have received 296 QSL confirmations. I was glad to see the 5H1C QSOs posted on LOTW. I’m waiting for the TF3YH QSOs.
73 and DX
Jim, K2CBM
Ft. Myers, FL
May 5th, 2006 18:00
This is interested as Jeff had a different experience. I still have to upload my logs to see how many confirmations came in.
OZ0AIS and DA0HC have received about 75 confirmations with 2700 QSOs uploaded. I think this is not that bad considering that we worked mainly EU during these activities.
May 5th, 2006 18:37
You really can’t compare my experience with Jeff’s because all my QSOs are DX. I seldom work a US station except on 2 meters. All of my QSOs are on CW as well. It would be interesting to compare CW vs. SSB for LOTW!
73,
Jim
May 5th, 2006 18:47
I have read some comments (elsewhere – don’t remember) that some really "tough ones for paper QSLs" are easily confirmed via LOTW. So it is definitely worth using boths ways.
Later I will upload my HB0 QSOs and I expect this will give a different view
May 5th, 2006 19:08
Over 90% of the contacts that I have uploaded to LOtW are CW. I’d say our percentages are about the same – 10 percent of uploaded contacts result in a "QSL" confirmation. Mine do include US and DX but are weighted more toward DX due to several DX contests.
73 de Jeff
June 21st, 2006 19:02
OK how do i get the cert into an email?
June 23rd, 2006 10:26
Which certificate? The certificate you received from ARRL (.TQ6)? Or the file you have created (.TQ5)?
If it is about your certificate-request (.TQ5), just attach it to an email an send it to lotw-logs@arrl.org. If everything is ok (e.g. you submitted the necessary documentation etc.), you should get your certificate (.TQ6). NEVER email this file around as this is your personal key to sign your logs, which you are going to upload.
August 19th, 2006 14:59
It’s great to see so many using LoTW. I’ve tried to get this thing to work 5 (five!) times, still can’t figure it out. I understand it’s my software incompetence, but LoTW needs to be a bit more user friendly. I suspect there are other morons like me out there who can’t get it to work.
73, Bill
AH6FC/W7
August 20th, 2006 20:43
Hi Bill,
where is your concrete problem? It should be pretty easy. Create a certificate, send the certificate to ARRL, receive your personal key file and sign the logs you want to upload with this key file.
But if you can be a litte more specific, I hope to be able to help you.