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Reviews For: ARRL - Logbook of the World - LoTW

Category: Ham Logging Software

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Review Summary For : ARRL - Logbook of the World - LoTW
Reviews: 511MSRP: 00.00
Description:
LoTW ... is a repository of log records submitted by users from around the world. When both participants in a QSO submit matching QSO records to LoTW, the result is a QSL that can be used for ARRL award credit.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.arrl.org/lotw/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
153.75113.3
OZ1GCT Rating: 2014-12-05
Good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I think it works easy and smooth - you have to install it just as described at ARRL's homepage.
But everything went ok - and uploading my log was a piece of cake.
NO9E Rating: 2014-12-02
Very fast now Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I uploaded my CQWW CW QSOs yesterday, perhaps with lots of other stations. Processing took only minutes. Already 20% confirmed.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by NO9E on 2013-05-08

I was collecting countries to Honor Roll and then 5B DXCC + 160m. Accomplished mostly via LOTW. Now extending to WARC bands. It is so nice to work a few new countries one day, submit with a click (via Logger32 and utility by N2AMG), and see the counts increase almost overnight. 80 countries cfm on 17m a month ago and 102 cfm now.

The paper QSLs are still nice but no reason to arrange and submit since LoTW is so easy.

Progress towards DXCC is faster if one works new countries via stations on LoTW; Logger32 and many other packages show the LOTW status in spots.

When I had problems with the certificate, ARRL reacted fast and fixed the problem. I suspect that many communication problems nowadays are caused by email junk filtering.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by NO9E on 2011-12-08

Very easy to use with utility in Logger32.
Temporarily a victim of its own success. Prefer it to be (occasionally) slower than costing an arm and a leg.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by NO9E on 2011-04-07

It seemed a bit hard at the beginning as it involved a few steps with Logger32. Now, a utility by N2AMG made updating trivial.

Soon will be making a 5B DXCC application that would be impossible for me otherwise. Also it is nice to post contest results to LOTW and not have to answer many paper QSL.

Perhaps ARRL can figure out procedures how to make selected records available to third parties for awards.
ON9CC Rating: 2014-11-15
Works UFB with multiple calls! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using LoTW for quite some years now with my 'normal' call. Just recently I got a contest call (2x1) and have worked several contests now with that call too. I had no problems to setup another callsign on LoTW (getting the certificate etc.) for my contest call and no issues to add these contacts. Just works as it should and as it is documented in the online help files. Great job!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by ON9CC on 2013-05-09

I have been using LoTW for some years now. A couple of months ago I wanted to apply for my 160m DXCC. About 10 years ago i applied for my 6m DXCC and sent my precious collection of paper QSL's to the ARRL in the USA.

Now I wanted to get the certificate for 160m ... so I read the steps on the ARRL site on how to do this via LoTW, followed the steps exactly and was amazed on how easy this was. I payed via VISA and After a couple of days the certificate was nicely delivered in a hard-carton roll. Now that was a piece of cake :-)

Indeed there are some steps to take, but once you get used to them (or just read through the documentation offered by the ARRL when you need it), this is far more easy, faster and cheaper than sending paper QSL's.
WK9U Rating: 2014-11-12
Honest and Accountable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have no issues with the program nor theory. Amateur radio operators have to be accurate with their log recording. Those who don't utilize the program are missing out. Those who have issues with it, apparently would have issues elsewhere. If someone can't understand the process or procedure, CALL or EMAIL the service. They respond and are most helpful. I enjoy printing off my DX or Domestic charts that have states and countries in columns whereas individual cells show the other station's callsign or available QSO spots. It's insane for reviewers to be allowed to rate this program if they aren't using it. Perhaps THEY should be rated.
KC2QYM Rating: 2014-11-12
Alternatives For Non Serious Logging Time Owned: more than 12 months.
First, I am not a contester so having a logging program is not a priority for me. But if I was I would throw LOTW out with the garbage. I went thru the process of getting set up and applied, getting a postcard, logging if for the certificate, on and on. I thought I was applying for a mortgage online..which is easier. In the end I opted to use eQSL which provides me with courtesy logging and QSL confirms which many actually prefer to use. I would never go thru the frustration and hoop jumping that the ARRL makes you go suffer thru. Perhaps LOTW is the boat anchor of logging programs; you like the nostalgia of twisting dials and tuning tank circuits. I personally don't have the time or patience to suffer thru LOTW C--P. Good luck to all who use this and have mastered the arcane shape shifting required to make it work for you.
KU7PDX Rating: 2014-11-11
A Modern Rube Goldberg Machine Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Somehow the ARRL has taken something as basic as an online logbook and has managed to make it more complicated than doing online banking or filing taxes.

I keep waiting for the ARRL to make the necessary changes to make LoTW useful, however they seem hard-bent on keeping their archaic system.

First, #1 problem: Despite having a secure login to the LoTW website, users are still required to place their log entries into a spreadsheet, then use a secondary piece of software to "sign" that document. Then log into LoTW and upload it.

Second, #2 problem: It is impossible to only log into the website to submit a single contact or edit an incorrect contact.

Fixing both of these problems would change my score from a 0 to a 5, however as-is the website might as well not exist and I'm embarrassed that my annual membership is going to support it.
KF7KTC Rating: 2014-10-20
LoTW works well, when it is working. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have set this up to use through a linux-based computer, and it seems to work well, when the site is actually working. I think that most of the issues with LoTW are user error, or lack of proper integration by programs that upload their log files to LoTW. That said, it seems a major problem is the lack of attention that ARRL pays to the proper support of the LoTW site. When problems with the LoTW site occur, there are no ARRL announcements of the problems. This results is widespread speculation if the problem lies with a user's computer, a bad internet connection, corrupted software on the user's computer, or some other problem on the user side. If ARRL would very simply post an announcement that there are some issues with the server-side of LoTW that are being worked on, and that another announcement would be posted when the issues are resolved, then LoTW would not grow such a bad reputation. Isn't the core of amateur radio supposed to be about communication? What we are NOT receiving from ARRL is communication! Because of this, I must rate LoTW as only "OK"
K5PAX Rating: 2014-09-05
Lacks functionality Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been a user of LOTW since its inception. It continues to be a kludge with large gaps in its functionality. I spent an hour today trying to get QSO credits applied. I chased around the website in a circular loop. Help was inadequate and did not mirror what was happening on the site. I sent a request to the email help desk and received an automated reply saying the help desk did not read the incoming emails. I was directed to a list of other help desk emails. There continues to be poor integration of paper and electronic QSO credits. The effectiveness of the system has not improved in the years since its initiation.
WA9JOQ Rating: 2014-08-21
Frustrating! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I really looked forward to using lotw and utilizing it's promised benefits to hams and streamlining the QSL process via the internet. But try as I may, I cannot get close to getting this program to run. Have started from scratch at least a half dozen times and been frustrated by this needlessly complicated program. It is the opposite of "plug and play." Too many dead ends after following installation procedures...revoked certificates, duplicate certificate numbers, etc., etc. And often you cannot even log onto the LOTW website...HELP! I expected more from this service but received nothing by frustration. Hope they fix the bugs sometime...the latest software update effort failed just today (August 20, 2014)
W4KA Rating: 2014-08-10
LOTW is Tops Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using LOTW for 7-8 years and it is easy and keeps track of my QSO's. I can look at my summary page and know exactly where I stand on each band. My logging program is a 2 click update to LOTW and couldn't be easier. The money savings for me is substantial as I DX a LOT. Looking at my summary page has encouraged me to add 17m,12m DXCC and I like 10 having 30m DXCC. Take the time to set it up, then enjoy the ride.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W4KA on 2012-08-14

I found LOTW not that difficult to get started. It is straight forward and I followed the instructions and was successful. Questions that I have had have been answered by the arrl lotw team every time I've called. I had a heart attack and my certification was due again, feeling puny I called arrl and they did it for me as I was not doing well. No having to qsl and send green stamps, update as often as you want, you will get the challenge award in no time.