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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
WA8UEG Rating: 2014-08-09
Simply Great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Easy to use with an ever growing number of users. Even if you don't have a logging program that uploads automatically the new TQSL makes it fast & easy. Even if your not interested in awards you should upload for your fellow hams that are.
N0FPE Rating: 2014-08-09
Still bad for casual use Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Too much of a pain in the butt for casual user. I am not a Dxer or a contester. For my 6-8 contacts a month it is just too much of a pain. And I change computers all the time and have NO interest in setting it up over and over and over. I guess I will stick to old fashioned paper QSLs if I really want one. I do work a number of special Event stations but thank god they are still using paper QSLs and certificates.


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Earlier 0-star review posted by N0FPE on 2012-08-14

No thanks, have tried 2 times and didnt like it either time. Deleted off the computer again for good this time.
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Earlier 0-star review posted by N0FPE on 2012-04-01

Just to way hard and complicated to set up. want more folks to use it? Make it VERY VERY user friendly. Stop the silly hoop jumping for a dang logbook. I rate it less than 0..
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Earlier 0-star review posted by N0FPE on 2008-07-13

There is no good reason that it has to be so complicated. Get rid if some of the hoops the user has to go thru and it would be fine. No plans to ever use this program. Thumbs down on this ARRL are you reading this??? Bad, just plain bad.
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Earlier 0-star review posted by N0FPE on 2007-05-13

I tried it a few times. Figured it was just me. But after the third try I gave up. It should not be so hard to get set up. This is NOT a bank or the IRS. Come to think of it my bank was EASIER to set up and the IRS is an open book! I have no plans to use LoTW anytime soon.. Unless the ARRL can make the process easier I see no need to go thru the headache. Being a member of the ARRL I have to say that the LoTW sux plain and simple. HEY you folks at the ARRL get a clue! Folks dont like the system. Make it better or drop it!!

Dan/NØFPE
F4GFT Rating: 2014-08-09
Mature now Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
LOTW has come a long way, and I understand those who gave earlier versions a poor review. With TQSL 2, and the upgraded server at ARRL HQ, however, LOTW has become a mature and robust platform.
The procedure is straightforward. I installed the software on my Windows 7 machine, created and uploaded a certificate, sent in copies of my licence and ID, and received the tq6-certificate and a password by mail only a week or so later.
My biggest obstacle was the conversion of my Excel-based logbook to ADIF. I had to write a small C program to do the job, although it is in principle possible from within Excel as well. Most people will not have to face this problem, since almost everyone uses a decent logging program with LOTW integration or at least ADIF export.
Then came the big moment: I imported, signed and uploaded the log from within TQSL (about 4000 records), and almost immediately received confirmation for about 25% of my QSOs. I was able to check my DXCC standings, 56 on CW and 67 on SSB, 76 in mixed mode. The log upload also showed me a few errors in my log, where band and frequency did not match. Fine job!
But there's more: Since LOTW uses a blind check and signatures, its results are credible and trusted, and I was able to import them directly to DCL (that would be the DARC contest log). I am certain that if LOTW was less restrictive, and thus less trustworthy, this would not have been possible. So as an added benefit, I not only know that it will take me a while before I earn DXCC, but also that I already earned WAE (worked all europe) in SSB and CW.
I heartily recommend LOTW. Ignore earlier reviews; LOTW as it is in 2014 is a must for every DXer.
W1XV Rating: 2014-07-29
Not worth the hassle Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'll stick with the old tried and true REAL QSL cards which I enjoy collecting rather than having the verification in cyber space. Unless one is computer savvy, this program is best left to someone who is. Seems as though the system could be a lot easier to navigate. I entered the password received via postcard and that's where I stopped. In my opinion LOTW is a huge maze. I've been keeping track of QSOs for decades with paper logbooks and my own system which always matches the print-out from ARRL DXCC Desk when making submissions. Thanks but no thanks.
AD0EY Rating: 2014-06-26
Instructions don't exist Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
All these people barking on that you need to READ THE INSTRUCTIONS are missing the fact that the instructions you are told to download and print are at a broken url.

I submitted my certificate request. At least I think I did. There was no confirmation pop-up. No feedback. No email. No postcard either after a week. So I tried re-uploading the file once I found it (the instructions are wrong that you get prompted on where to store it), and it turns out that it has been received. Most of the issues with this application would be solved by simply programming in user feedback.

I haven't yet used it in operation, as I'm waiting for the postcard which, frankly, is ridiculous.
N4OI Rating: 2014-06-21
Easy Peazy - Again! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I finally lost that old PC that I used for certifying my logs for LOTW and had to get a new certificate. I expected to experience at least some of the nightmares described here from time-to-time. But I was pleasantly surprised that the process is still quick and simple... Go to Web site, request certificate, receive certificate, install certificate -- click, click, click and done! I really do not understand how a ham radio operator can set up a test bed to check their transmitter's IMD, or create macros for PSK, and then have problems with LOTW. Thanks, ARRL!

73

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N4OI on 2012-09-11

ARRL sent my 3-year LOTW certificate renewal notice -- two times, well in advance of expiration. I followed the link to download the new Cert program, entered some basic information, and was again posting QSOs in no more than 15 minutes (not including the hour or so break while ARRL replied to my request e-mail). I even changed to a different PC in the process -- no problem!

Congratulations to ARRL for a quick and easy renewal experience!

73 ES GOD BLESS DE KEN - N4OI :>)
KB5YN Rating: 2014-06-07
Case study Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am not a computer guru, but was able to set everything up by following the instructions. I already had thousands of 15m DX contacts made in the last 5 years. I entered 178 contacts one by one and got 107 confirmations. I only entered DX contacts that indicated on their QRZ site that they did LOTW. This is a 60% return rate. I entered about 10 contacts at a time and the confirmations came back in seconds to a minute or two. My DXCC 15M endorsement is costing me $36.00. The program is easy to use.
K6SDW Rating: 2014-05-29
Easy Peasy, really! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I suffered a hard drive crash on system where loTW lives. Had I done a backup of the certificate as suggested in ARRL loTW, of course not, I'm a guy and we don't back up anything!!

Well, with Katherine (KA1RWY) from ARRL help, getting a new certificate was a piece of cake and I'm back up uploading my log files to ARRL loTW again!!

My only observation about all this, specific loTW help answers on the ARRL website are very difficult to find, their index system is no where to be found, FAQ's leave a lot to be desired, but fortunely at the end of FAQ's is a means to create a help ticket.....and KA1RWY comes to the rescue!!

Cheers All
WA4GQG Rating: 2014-05-28
Great System! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I am grateful to the ARRL for LoTW and wish more hams used it. My LoTW experience has been 99% without issue. I did once have a problem while trying to install a renewed cerificate; it took all of 3 or 4 minutes to correct... Kevin WA4GQG
N8YQX Rating: 2014-05-27
High level security... for what??? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
LoTW is an economical alternative to paper QSL for confirming QSOs for ARRL awards. With that being said, I don't understand the multiple levels of security required to upload the log data.

Initially, I thought the multiple levels of security would mean the quality of data would be high. However, I found out recently that such isn't the case, and the ARRL isn't interested in the accuracy of the data (specifically, state information missing from land based CONUS station). Even after I brought this to their attention, with specific log entries, I was told in no uncertain terms that it wasn't their concern.

If they aren't interested in quality data, they need to drop the excessive security, and rely on user/pass and SSL like any other secure server. My bank, my 401k, my credit card, and other high security hosts don't require me to install their own software, why should the ARRL be any different?