| VA3RKO |
Rating:  |
2014-04-01 | |
| Works for me 100% |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I've been using LoTW for over four years now with no problems. I've had certificates re-issued a few times as well with no difficulty. I also managed to move the software to a diferent computer system easily with the Version 2 TQSL. Instructions on their website are now clear and concise and the new Ver 2 TQSL software is easy to use. Customer support has also been good. Intergrated with HRD V6.1, I've managed DXCC on 10, 15, 20 and 40 meter bands through LoTW and now working on 80 meters. QSL cards would have cost me a fortune. I've had twice as many confirmations on LoTW than on eQSL. Thanks LoTW. |
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| K1OYQ |
Rating: |
2014-03-31 | |
| Still Too Slow |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have not changed my opinion of LOTW. It continues to have many problems and runs far too slow for a "World Class" online log program. I hear the defenders out there that think it is the greatest thing since canned beer, but the ARRL has taken far too long to address the problems. More committees aren't going to solve the issues it has. They should have jumped on this well over a year ago and they are just now looking for full time programmers - duh! I'm loosing patients with it. eQSL still works faster and more reliable and costs less as does Clublog. Why half the time I can't even log onto the thing. UNSATISFACTORY!!!
K1OYQ
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Earlier 2-star review posted by K1OYQ on 2011-12-08
I wrote to the ARRL last week and informed them that they are losing users due to all the delays they are suffering and that the future of LOTW depends on good service. Their reply was that they are working on it and they share the same feelings about losing users. There are millions of hams world wide, thousands of DXpeditions and Special Events year round and many of them see LOTW as a good concept to use for QSLs. The ARRL keeps blaming the delays on the all the contesters submitting lots of logs - DUH - what do they expect? In this day and age there is no excuse for an incompetent IT staff in any organization. If you look at all the problems that the ARRL webpage has, then I guess you have to expect the same from LOTW. eQSL is better, faster, and easier to sign up into. eQSL works with CQ awards programs also. Both systems will save you money on cards and postage. eQSL allows you to receive a QSL card also. |
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| AB4D |
Rating: |
2014-02-19 | |
| Works FB, but.... |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
The below is based on my experience using LOTW and interfacing it with Ham Radio Deluxe. Unlike some others, I had no problem registering for LOTW and obtaining a call sign certificate from the ARRL. That process worked as expected for me. If you have an issue obtaining a certificate, the ARRL indicates that you can ask for assistance by email or phone at, lotw-help@arrl.org or 860-594-0295.
In review, some of the instructions to help get LOTW up and running can be confusing and lead to frustration. I spent about an hour trying to figure it all out and uploading my log. Some of the issues I faced was trying to determine the correct syntax for naming and setting up "locations" for each of the places I had operated from in the past 20 years. The instructions indicate the proper file name for each location is "Your call - Location" such as "XX1XX - Brighton". Rather, locations are stored under the Station Locations tab in TQSL, as an extension file attached to a master file named with your call. Therefore, each location is just given a name such as "Brighton" or "New Baltimore", with no call sign included in the name for that file.
Once each location has been named and defined in TQSL, the correct name to input on the LOTW upload form is just the location name such as "Brighton", leaving off any call, inconsistent with instructions I have read.
The available instructions are inconsistent with what actually happens in the program. As another example, the instructions shows the existence of a pop up box that should appear when you cursor the box on the upload form for the location. However, no pop up box appeared for me. Rather, I had to manually type in the name of the location into the upload form.
In retrospect, it's rather simple to get it working, but the instructions are so problematic, it caused me to spent a lot of time fudging around trying to set up everything "in the dark". An accurate step by step set of instructions would go a long way to help folks get this working and promote participation.
I believe LOTW is a grand concept, but it is failing to adequately support the ARRL award programs because too many amateurs are experiencing issues trying to make it work. Once someone can get over the hurdle of the initial setup, it works really well. I uploaded 807 QSO's in about 10 minutes and got immediate confirmation of 72 countries towards my DXCC.
However, I was disappointed that more of my contacts were not confirmed. Out of the 807 QSO's I uploaded, only 237 are confirmed. IMO, stats given by the LOTW page as of today suggests there is serious lack of participation in LOTW by hams, showing only 63,816 registered users. I have many other contacts from countries I've worked and need for DXCC, but are not confirm because others are not using LOTW. The ARRL needs to improve the instructions for this program and promote participation.
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| W1XWX |
Rating: |
2014-01-11 | |
| Works fine version 2.x |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Seems to work fine and easier to use in version 2.x.
However a bit disappointed that many hams do not log on LOTW. Personally I log everyone on QRZ, Eqsl, and LOTW; along with sending a real QSL card if I receive one. Only takes aq few minutes to do this.
Version 2 is much easier to use than previous versions.
W1XWX |
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| WO8USA |
Rating: |
2014-01-10 | |
| Improved, great if you can get past install! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I am updating my review, and have pasted my previous review of Feb 3 2012 afterwards.
I previoulsy gave LoTW a 0 (zero).
Last night (1/9/13) I upgraded to the newest LoTW version on my main computer, backed up my certificates/etc, and went to a new, clean computer. I downloaded the newest version of LoTW, and installed my backed-up certificates. NO PROBLEM, surprise! This was easy!
I now give it LoTW 3+ based largely on my experience of last night.
I finally got LoTW installed last summer, it took about an hour and was extremely difficult, more difficult than any software install I've done. But I finally got it working and really enjoy it now. The entire install process needs streamlined. I appreciate the new instructions they have, but it would be good to have them in one book, not 2 pages per PDF file. If you can get past the install its great.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW FEB 3, 2012 WO8USA: enitled "Amateur"
This is the worst review I have ever written here but feel I must...
This is my second try to use LOTW, spaced a few years apart. I finally decided that I needed to go soft copy with the recent postage rate hike and the annoucement of having CQ awards integrated. I got the instructions, watched the ARRL video/presentation, wrote it all out, etc. I do a lot with PCs home and work and figured these reviews must be overboard and my last expereince was certainly just "beta testing"....LoTW install failed on several counts. I would be willing to pay a small fee to order for the software to have an actual interface to install the mess. I use other much more secure stuff with PHI/certs and they do not work like this.
Anyway----I'll just keep using hardcopy and eQSL until the ARRL gets their act together on this. For something which is supposedly SO important (integrity of QSLs? seems like Ft Know compared to how hard copy QSL exhanges come about), seems like the software could be a lot more pro-like.
I'm out of LoTW until they figure our how to do it right. This software would be out-of-business with reviews like these. Outsource it to HRD and get it right!
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Earlier 0-star review posted by WO8USA on 2012-02-03
This is the worst review I have ever written here but feel I must...
This is my second try to use LOTW, spaced a few years apart. I finally decided that I needed to go soft copy with the recent postage rate hike and the annoucement of having CQ awards integrated. I got the instructions, watched the ARRL video/presentation, wrote it all out, etc. I do a lot with PCs home and work and figured these reviews must be overboard and my last expereince was certainly just "beta testing"....LoTW install failed on several counts. I would be willing to pay a small fee to order for the software to have an actual interface to install the mess. I use other much more secure stuff with PHI/certs and they do not work like this.
Anyway----I'll just keep using hardcopy and eQSL until the ARRL gets their act together on this. For something which is supposedly SO important (integrity of QSLs? seems like Ft Know compared to how hard copy QSL exhanges come about), seems like the software could be a lot more pro-like.
I'm out of LoTW until they figure our how to do it right. This software would be out-of-business with reviews like these. Outsource it to HRD and get it right! |
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| K0SCO |
Rating:  |
2014-01-05 | |
| Gave up |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Tried a couple of different logging programs and made sure everything was up to date, but still could not upload to LoTW. More trouble than it's worth. |
|
| N2LJ |
Rating: |
2013-11-25 | |
| New TQSL makes for a better experience! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The recent release of TQSL 2.0 improves the LOTW experience for those of us who don't have LOTW upload built right into our log software.
Instead of two applications, and a separate upload with your web browser, everything can now be handled in TQSL 2.0. Sign & upload in one easy step. Certificates (requests and loads) are now handled by the same program that does the signing & uploading.
I tried one of the "release candidates" on my Mac for a while, and it was definitely "not ready for prime time". But the final product runs smoothly. I was able to sign & upload an ADIF from Sweepstakes with no trouble at all.
It would be nice if it had a more "Mac-like" front end, but that's a small quibble for an otherwise well-functioning product.
Now, if only everyone who says they use LOTW on their QRZ (or other) page actually uploaded to it... |
|
| KC2TKD |
Rating: |
2013-11-08 | |
| Difficult to set up and use |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| LOTW worked until I renewed my callsign certificate last year. Since then every time I attempt to use the program I get nothing but error messages. I even downloaded a different logging program to no avail. Norm, at the ARRL informed me of a problem with the end date on the certificate, which should have been left blank so I cancelled that one and downloaded another. Same problems. I will no longer put any time into LOTW. I found previously that only 15% of QSO's would get confirmed anyway. I do not recommend this for anyone as it is not a stand alone log program and only a means for contact verification |
|
| OE3SGU |
Rating: |
2013-10-08 | |
| 4 DXCC awards within one week |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Applied for 12/17/30/DIGITAL DXCC on Oct. 1. Awards were posted in the US on Oct. 2. Mailman delivered them today in OE, Oct. 8. Enough said, applying for awards has never been easier. If you can read and follow instruction it will save you a lot of time and money.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by OE3SGU on 2013-07-13
I am smiling while reading all these criticism that usually comes up periodically. You may like or hate the ARRL but you certainly have to admit that applying for their awards has never been easier. Yes, you HAVE to read the instructions carefully BEFORE installing and configuring the programme. I wonder how all those who don't have English as their mother tongue are easily able to install and configer the programme? Getting my new certificates recently only took one day and turnaround time from the time of appying and receiving my new stickers for DXCC was done in less than a week - no paper needed. I am using LoTW since 2008 and would have never applied for DXCC otherwise - too much paperwork in my opinion. Yes, the database is sometimes down and yes, one can argue about security issues and yes, the system is not perfect but constantly improving and getting better and better. Btw, support has always been great,once I have lost my certificates after a harddisk failure my mails were answered in a reasonably time and it was no problem at all to communicate with the staff. As for me, I am looking forward to apply for many more awards with this system.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by OE3SGU on 2012-08-22
I am using LotW since a couple of years and probably would have never applied for DXCC without this great tool. If you can READ and follow the instructions I don't see any problem. Come on guys, if non-native English speakers like me can master it where is the difficulty?
As for the verifying process: I am using several certificates for various callsigns and even if I lost the one or other certificate as a result of a hardware crash it NEVER was a problem to receive another certificate within a very short time via Email, thanks to an excellent support of Kathy. Just my humble opinion. Regards. Hannes
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Earlier 5-star review posted by OE3SGU on 2008-11-06
I have been using this system for over a year now and I would not like to miss it. Initial setup is quite easy if you read the manual first and follow the steps accurately. LoTW staff has always been very helpful and competent. Especially Kathy, KA1RWY is a real gem and answered all my questions promptly. I have uploaded logs for OE3SGU, 4U1WED and 4U1VIC. The only feature I would like is some kind of a "picture card" to print like at eqsl and coverage of more awards like IOTA etc.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by OE3SGU on 2008-01-18
I want to tell you a little story. After a serious data crash I had to reinstall my whole system. Not a big deal, but it took some time. I could not bring Lotw to run allthough I had backups of the certificates etc. A quick mail to the Lotw specialist, Kathy, KA1RWY and I received another certificate. But this didnt work. End of the story: Kathy worked several hours patiently to renew my certificates and finally I am another happy Lotw users. My next DXCC-application is on the way. Thanks Kathy for your patience!
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Earlier 5-star review posted by OE3SGU on 2007-05-29
I am DXing since 1991 and never applied for DXCC, it was just to much paperwork for me. Today I received my mixed award without any paperwork, thanks to LOTW. Setting it up was no problem but read the instructions carefuly. I only wished I wouldnt have to send them a copy of the licence by normal mail (why not simply by email or to the field-checkers?). Now that I have the first my basic award I will apply for the endorsements too. Hopefully some more awards will follow the example (what about WAC, IOTA or WAE just to name a few?). Thanks ARRL, you did a good job and saved me lots of time. |
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| K3PRN |
Rating: |
2013-09-23 | |
| Long Procedure |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I downloaded the directions for processing a LOTW for my station. The instructions are a bit different than the current download. I had a problem and called the ARRL. W1ZFG at the LOTW help phone number #314 was patient and very helpful. He walked me through the final steps and everything works very well.I inquired as why such a procedure was being used and they stated (from an earlier call) that many people try to cheat to get the DXCC! I was a bit surprised! My other surprise is how few DX stations use LOTW! I am all set and hope more foreign hams sign up for LOTW. |
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