| KE4WY |
Rating:     |
2017-08-30 | |
| Not as Bad as we had heard |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I was reluctant to use LOTW because of the reviews; However we decided to give it a try and
are fairly satisfied with it. It installed without issue. The only complaint as mentioned in an earlier review when I did phone asking a few questions I felt the person was a little short with me. Over the past 35 plus years this is only the 1st time I got this impression from an ARRL Representative. |
|
| KD0ZV |
Rating:  |
2017-08-30 | |
| Try again |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| What a mess. Over complicated and hard to setup. Not sure what they were thinking when they created this. But a huge disappointment. Switch computers and you can start the process all over. |
|
| KG4RUL |
Rating:  |
2017-08-30 | |
| HIGHLY Overrated! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Signing up is cumbersome and harks back to the days of the cold war (PSST - Do you have any launch codes?). Correcting any problems plunges you into the abyss. This is a hobby activity and does not need this level of nit-picking security. I will continue to QSL via paper.
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Earlier 1-star review posted by KG4RUL on 2011-09-10
All these years and the system programmers have apparently NOT chosen to improve the convoluted process necessary to sign-up and renew the software. But for that, I might consider trying LOTW again. And YES, I did follow the instructions exactly and both had installation problems and a total failure to accomplish renewal.
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Earlier 1-star review posted by KG4RUL on 2005-07-30
The ARRL's attitude towards LOTW is that it HAS TO BE THIS WAY to work! Not So!
Just look at the eQLS user interface.
As far as security, as part of my work, I have been provided access to DOD computers, with Secret and higher data on them, with less of a fuss.
As to the process of renewing your certificates, I followed their instructons EXACTLY and it DID NOT WORK!
Dennis KG4RUL |
|
| KA4PXK |
Rating:  |
2017-04-12 | |
| A pain in the rear |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have had poor results with LBOTW, I get a much higher return, with sending cards, I don't have to convert to several formats for differing Awards programs although that is changing, and with a printout of my computer log or using my paper log I don't have to then go and enter the data, and upload it. Although I have over 110 countries and 47 states from my QTH, I have many more physical QSL cards or EQSLs than LBOTW which the League doesn't recognize and then I have to contact the Station and ask them if I need them for an Award such as WAS or DXCC to please send it to the League or mail them a card and envelope with 3 green stamps either to them or their manager. If you go to a new call like I did then it becomes a nightmare. Contact the League, get the new call input to the LBOTW, contact the stations,
make sure the 2 year or more dead call isn't mixed up, it becomes a lot of work. It was easier in the 80s and 90s |
|
| W9TAM |
Rating:     |
2017-01-09 | |
| Not perfect, but makes it easier to apply for ARRL awards |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
LoTW gets a 4 from me because of the time and effort to register. I concur with a couple comments of previous reviewers:
- It's good once you get registered and set it up with your logger. The registration process is cumbersome, but it is worth following through.
- It's not a logbook application on its own, and should probably be called "QSLs of the World." You use it as a companion to your logbook.
My tips:
- Don't let your certificate expire. I did, and my request for a replacement got stuck in a queue for a week at ARRL (probably because I entered the address of my QTH rather than my mailing address in the FCC database, which is different). I had to email for help, and never received a human reply, but my request magically got approved on the same day I sent the email.
- Back up your TQSL configuration once you have your certificate loaded and location(s) set up. Use the TQSL backup function to do this. It will save all your certificates, locations, and preferences. I had a computer crash and had backups of my log data and the certificate, but it's a lot easier to get running again if you have a full TQSL configuration backup. You can even easily set up an automatic configuration backup.
Beyond the registration process, I only have minor gripes. The LoTW website looks like it was designed in the late '90s. I'm guessing the design has never been updated, but this is no different from most ham software. In late 2016, functionality was added to allow users to set their own passwords. I'm glad the ARRL finally realized that randomly generated single-case alphanumeric 8-character passwords cannot be considered secure today.
My only complaint of any real substance is that I can't simply delete QSOs that I have later found I accidentally entered and submitted incorrectly. Instead, I have to correct it in my logbook app and re-upload to LoTW, which in most cases creates a second record for what is really the same QSO. (To be fair, this has only happened with a few QSOs I'd quickly logged on paper and entered later, where I had mistyped the date or time into my logbook app.) The perfectionist in me would love for the QSO number in my logbook app to exactly match what's in LoTW, but I'll survive.
Oh, and I wish every ham used it. Sure beats paying to send and receive cards to get awards. I have a 54% LoTW QSL rate as of today, which appears to be better than the average. Not sure if I'll get DXCC entirely through LoTW, but I sure am going to try.
Go through the process and set it up. It's nice to log in once a day and see new QSLs. |
|
| N7XCZ |
Rating:    |
2016-09-26 | |
| its ok |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
If somehow QRZ and LOTW could combine then you would have something!!! I like ease of use with QRZ and I like the Award tracking of LOTW Face it the ARRL kind of has a Monopoly on the Awards program they have been around the Longest
I use Qrz to upload all of my contacts to LOTW and so far this for me is the best way to go and I Use LOTW to track Various totals for band and mode
I use N3FJP for my own Ham Log and as a Backup in case either QRZ or LOTW goes belly up Ha ha 73 to all DE N7XCZ |
|
| M0TTB |
Rating:      |
2016-05-10 | |
| well worth the initial effort |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
5 years on from signing up and have had no issues in that time. The current version is far more user friendly than it used to be a few years ago, moving from one pc to another is as simple as moving any small file. Renewing your callsign certificate used to be a scary prospect, and I suspect many people were lost in the past due to this, but today it is a very simple procedure. I'd still prefer it if callsign renewal wasn't quite as frequent.
Us non-US hams have an extra hoop to jump through to get started but it really is still very easy and ARRL really don't need any info from you that is sensitive.
It's always nice to pop into LoTW once a day and see what has been confirmed, be they old qso's or new ones
|
|
| WB9MSM |
Rating:      |
2016-05-10 | |
| Great Way To QSL!!! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I wanted to say that LoTW is an EXCELLENT tool for confirming your contacts. I am very pleased with how it works and must admit I have made some rather stupid errors with entering contacts into my log. Example: I used to enter portable DX stations with their portable location after their regular call sign. I corrected this error by entering the portable location before their regular call sign and received my QSO confirmation. You kind of learn along the way. I am really grateful to the ARRL for making this tool available for confirming QSO's. I still actually QSL with a physical card through the mail for those that do not use LoTW but must admit LoTW is truly the way to go these days. And it sure beats having to go to the Post Office. To those of you who have issues with LoTW and give it low ratings I wish you would please take a " DEEP BREATH" and re-evaluate what you may of done wrong and work on correcting the issue. The benefits of LoTW are NUMEROUS!
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB9MSM on 2015-10-03
I felt after reading a number of low rated reviews for this outstanding QSL confirmation and logging program that I needed to respond with my own review. First of all, sorry to those of you who for one reason or another are not using this great ARRL program. I have been using it for quite some time and I personally am very happy with how it works. Yes, it does take a bit of time to be able to actually use it. Remember this is a verification and confirmation process for ensuring that your contacts are legitimate. I assure all of you that are having difficulty with the enrollment process to actually TAKE YOUR TIME and follow the instructions very carefully that you will be successful getting it to work. The end results are absolutely AMAZING!!! I can not begin to tell all of you how much it has benefitted me. I am a true believer that if you do not succeed the first time try again! Just slow down and follow the instructions. It may take awhile because of the verification process but the results are certainly worth it. I ask others who enjoy this great program to come forward and share your own review to encourage those who are having difficulty with the enrollment process. Thank you ARRL for making this wonderful and cost saving program available for all of us 21st century hams throughout the world. It is truly wonderful to see so many rare DX stations using LoTW. 73 and see all of you in the pile-ups, Denny WB9MSM
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB9MSM on 2014-09-01
I must admit that you MUST follow the directions 100% to be able to use this program. At first I wanted to jump through the process by not doing everything correct and I had issues. Once I decided that I would follow the directions EXACTLY as stated I had no issues getting into the program. Now that I am using it . . . I am so very happy!!! It truly is the very best program out for getting your QSO's certified for DXCC or WAS. I can only say JOB WELL DONE ARRL! Thank you so much for putting this program together for the amateur community.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB9MSM on 2014-04-03
I think the ARRL did an absolutely fantastic job with giving amateurs an opportunity to confirm their QSO's on-line. Very pleased with watching my DX count increase without having to pay postage. Yes there are fees but I feel that this is a minimum with all things being considered. You have to follow guidelines and directions with getting your call sign certified but the end result is certainly worth it. Cheers to the ARRL for ensuring that the on-line certification QSO process is available for all hams to use. |
|
| GM7NZI |
Rating:   |
2016-05-08 | |
| their attitude stinks |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
i had always been very happy with "lotw" until i noticed that out of three contact i made with the dx-pedition to botswana 2106 A25UK were not confirmed on lotw, so i went to clublog where the dxpedition team stored their logs and was able to confirm i had indeed made 3 qso's with the team,
i then contacted the qsl manager for the team who is responsible for uploading the logs, i gave him all the data and he was able to tell me what was wrong , my pc had entered the qso's in bst instead of utc so 1 hour out, so then i go back to lotw and re-enter the qso's with the correct info but still no joy ...not confirmed.
then i contacted lotw and i could not believe the attutude iwas practically accuse of trying to cheat? here is the actual email i got...
Ray,
What you are asking is trolling for busted QSOs. LoTW is a double blind system just to prevent this sort of thing. I am not doubting that your claim of the QSOs is not true but we cannot reveal other users logs. I suggest you work this out with the station or his QSO manager.
Norm W3IZ
i never at any time asked for any information from anyones log, i felt my integrity was called to question with this guys attitude , all i asked was , if the qsl manager says the contacts are good going by the dxpedition log and the log itself on clublog says all three qso' took place then why isnt lotw confirming ? , all i got was qustioned regarding my motives?
to summarise... i made 3 qso's they have been confirmed by the dx team i spoke to , the qsl manager says they are ligitimate contacts , and yet lotw software wont confirm and when i question this im accused of being up to no good? i gave up as i was getting nowhere contacts lost because of i assume a glitch in the software that nobody want to talk about to a dodgy guy like me trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the lotw .. -10 for sustomer service thanks for nothing lotw. |
|
| W4NNF |
Rating:     |
2016-04-08 | |
| You will like it just fine ONCE you get it set up... |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
The biggest problem people have with this program/system? Understanding that it is NOT really a logbook application despite its name. It probably should have been called "QSLs of the World." It is for verifying QSOs and submitting them to the ARRL for awards. Yes, you can enter QSOs into it manually, but you really wouldn't like that...you normally want to use LoTW with your logbook application of choice--I use HRD with it. You use it WITH a logbook program...not as one.
Why can't some hams get it working whether they understand what it is really for or not? The password conundrum and the certificate thingie.
When you set up the part of LOTW that resides on your computer, TQSL, you request a password from the ARRL. That password is, yes, mailed to you (snail mailed) on the infamous Magic Postcard. BUT...that password is NOT the password you use to log onto LOTW. It is a password you use in order to obtain your REAL password, and a security device called a "certificate."
When the postcard arrives in around a week, enter the postcard password along with your user name (your call) into the required fields on the ARRL website whose url is printed on the postcard.
In a day or so, you'll then receive an email from the A double RL...this will have your REAL password and username and an attachment...that scary certificate.
These days, installing the certificate is not usually a problem. Just double click on it in your email program. Worst case you might have to save it on your hard drive somewhere, go into the directory where you saved it with File Manager, and double click on it.
That's it. All that remains is doing a few things, clearly spelled out in the ARRL's instructions, in the TSQL program...entering your station location, etc. You will then be able to log onto LoTW--finally--look around, etc.
None of this is likely to give you problems IF you understand that getting the password is a two step process.
Once done, set up your logging program for LoTW, and life becomes as simple as highlighting QSOs in your logger app (HRD or whatever) and clicking a button to upload them to LoTW. You shouldn't have to worry about that certificate again for a long time unless you switch computers. |
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