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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
W4JTB Rating: 2015-05-07
A love hate relationship Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
LoTW makes it so easy to get confirmations quick and cheap. That's the good.

When it's working, it's fairly good.

But, it was poorly thought out and is still poorly executed. It goes down all the time, and all of the steps that you have to take to join probably keeps a good group of people from using it.

The only reason I am giving a 3 instead of a 1 is because when it does work correctly, it makes everything easy (once it's set up).

ARRL really needs to hire an outside firm to come in and assess the software and website, and make some major improvements.

Also, I'll never understand why all websites that relate to Ham Radio look like they were built in 1999.
WO8L Rating: 2015-04-27
Poorly Designed Time Owned: more than 12 months.
One of the dumbest designs of software I have ever seen and that is saying a lot!

Not user friendly, not web based, cumbersome technology, too many words in the instructions. Virtually no user support. Only works with a single computer.

Dumb and dumber.

73s,

Rick
WO8L

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Earlier 0-star review posted by WO8L on 2012-07-23

I don't need multiple software programs on my PC and a bunch of passwords. Primitive system. Outdated when it was released.

Installed it six years ago and my "certificate" expired. What? Huh? Why? Whole process all over again if you can negotiate it. Really dumb.

Called the ARRL. No help. Filed a "help desk ticket" (what a joke. What is this a huge corporation?) and talked to a section manager. I seem to have a "certificate" out there.

Incredible. I give up. My wife is in IT as was I. Who would spend time on this? Stupid.

Not user friendly. Forget the ARRL's misplaced paranoid attitude about security.

Redesign this. Make it simply. Look at the reviews. It stinks.

73s,

Rick
WO8L




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Earlier 1-star review posted by WO8L on 2012-04-01

Cumbersome, not user friendly. Don't get response on it. Have repeatedly uploaded logs on it but it's not effective.

On the other hand, when I contact somebody on PSK31, the Q-QSL system QSL often arrives minutes later.

ARRL needs to reevaluate their whole technology.

WO8L
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Earlier 2-star review posted by WO8L on 2007-08-16

Hi,

I get so many QSLS, both domestic and DX, through E-QSL that it's hard to believe. I need to check it at least once a week.

On the other hand, I only check LoTW a couple of times a year. I never get QSLs.

The security on LoTW is solid but it's not user friendly. I never upload anything to it anymore because nobody answers.

On the other hand, E-QSL always delivers. The security may be lacking but people use it.

LoTW is an admirable start but the system needs vast improvement.

73s,

Rick
WO8L
----------------------
Earlier 2-star review posted by WO8L on 2004-01-16

I downloaded the ARRL software and ended up with two icons on my desktop. The help menus for this program are not much help at all. It wasn't worth the effort.

E-QSL, on the other hand, was easy to use from the start.

Maybe ARRL needs to be more specific in its instructions for new users.

On the other hand, I still enjoy getting those nice paper QSLs from around the world anyway.

73s,

WO8L
AA4A Rating: 2015-04-25
Good when it works Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It is relatively easy to use and very effective when it works, but be warned - it works less and less often.
W2LTD Rating: 2015-04-24
Site down a lot Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Works OK for me except site is down a lot and can't log in.
K1PJR Rating: 2015-04-06
Works for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using it since I got back into ham radio about two years ago. I had no trouble setting it up and it's a snap to upload and download to my logging software. I just achieved DXCC and just followed the instructions to get my certificate. It's very straight forward to use. I dont understand why there are so many disgruntled users. Just take your time and read the appropriate instructions. Kudos to the ARRL.

Phil
K1PJR
NG0Z Rating: 2015-04-06
Getting a Lot Better Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Here is my first review of LOTW some time ago:

"There is no excuse in this day and age for a website to have this many outages and blank page responses when trying to check your QSL's or upload QSO's from your logging program. What a joke. The ARRL should be embarrassed. eQSL is flawless and perfect every time."

Since then, I have seen the web site become much more reliable - kudos to the ARRL.

I use the subscribed version of QRZ for my logging software and upload to LOTW every time I go QRT.

I have not experienced the issues above for a long time now. I have my WAS now, and am working towards DXCC, both LOTW-only, by choice.

I don't use e-QSL any more although I wish the ARRL would accept verified QSL's from them as well as I'd probably have my DXCC by now.

73
WZ4K Rating: 2015-03-29
LoTW is not a logging program - it's an Awards Validation Prog Time Owned: more than 12 months.
That's right, folks! No one is advocating the use of LoTW as your logging program. To review LoTW as a logging program demonstrates an utter lack of understanding of its purpose. There are many loggers out there - I use HRD and enjoy a 'highlight QSOs and 2 click upload' feature to LoTW! A child could learn this in about 5 minutes!

Digitally signing your uploads results in a very high integrity awards program, administered by the ARRL; I salute them. No, registering and getting your certificates is not a single mouse-click easy effort(although close) - but well worth the learning curve. Get a LoTW Elmer to help you get this right - it is worth the effort!

At minimal cost, I have achieved DXCC, several WAS awards, WAS Triple Play, CQ WPX and others through LoTW. BTW, the league's Centennial event, centered on logbook uploads to LoTW was, perhaps, the greatest ham radio event in recent memory. Major kudos to the League for both the event and for LoTW as an amazing enabler to the Centennial Celebration. Just ask anyone who has been looking for hard-to-get states like ID!
KD2FIP Rating: 2015-03-28
Absolute crap Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After using it for a little over a year I have discovered how bad this 'software' really is. Much like a lot of people's impression of Ham Radio as a whole, this kludge of a logging program is something from the days of TRS-80s and Basic Programming. No facility for making corrections? No facility for deleting duplicates or errors? Really? The sad part is that too many people are still using it. A dinosaur that should have been there for the asteroid strike. If you're NOT using it, DON'T Start. There are far better loggin programs out there. Qrz.com is light years ahead of LOTW.
KX5M Rating: 2015-02-24
User unfriendly. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I know my way around the block when it comes to software and computers. I had this software running and uploaded my log in just a few minutes. The main problem that I can see is LOTW software is user unfriendly for the folks that are not computer whiz-kids. If I had to assign a letter grade for it I think an F+ would be fair. No wonder everyone is either not using LOTW or switching to eQSL. Just my 2 cents worth.
VE1YY Rating: 2015-02-17
Trouble Tickets Handled Well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
If you have one call then you need not read.

I have merged two calls due to a move from one district to another in Canada.

TQSL found an old signing authority and bombed.

LoTW read my email, looked at the attachments, and dispatched a fix not shown in the FAQs.

FIXED!

Happy Ham!