Comments on: Is Logbook of the World More Trouble Than It’s Worth? http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/ Having fun with amateur radio Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:43:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jerry Colton http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/#comment-320627 Jerry Colton Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:49:31 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=2270#comment-320627 Hi Tom I changed my call about a year ago and you are probably right about QSL's in LOTW... I may have some. I recently got a message from the W! QSL Buro telling me my funds ran out. I had forgotten all about them. Well I sent in some cash and on Christmas eve I received about 25 cards from contacts I made in 1999. What a terrific Christmas gift! hi hi I just may give LOTW another shot! 73 and thanks for the nice Blog Jerry - N1TKO Hi Tom
I changed my call about a year ago and you are probably right about QSL’s in LOTW… I may have some. I recently got a message from the W! QSL Buro telling me my funds ran out. I had forgotten all about them. Well I sent in some cash and on Christmas eve I received about 25 cards from contacts I made in 1999. What a terrific Christmas gift! hi hi
I just may give LOTW another shot!
73 and thanks for the nice Blog
Jerry – N1TKO

]]> By: Dan KB6NU http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/#comment-320626 Dan KB6NU Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:13:13 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=2270#comment-320626 UPDATE 1/09/10: Well, I just got around to re-installing LOTW on my Mac iBook G4 after the hard disk crashed about a month or so ago. This time, the re-install was a lot easier because I'd saved the .p12 file. I downloaded the latest batch of QSLs and noticed that I'd gotten one from OX3XR (Greenland). So, I'm inching ever slowly towards DXCC. UPDATE 1/09/10: Well, I just got around to re-installing LOTW on my Mac iBook G4 after the hard disk crashed about a month or so ago. This time, the re-install was a lot easier because I’d saved the .p12 file. I downloaded the latest batch of QSLs and noticed that I’d gotten one from OX3XR (Greenland). So, I’m inching ever slowly towards DXCC.

]]> By: Douglas Crittendon http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/#comment-320002 Douglas Crittendon Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:20:55 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=2270#comment-320002 Hi Dan! Thanks for a most enjoyable CW QSO great meeting you! I'm on a fixed income (part time/retired) so the value of the LOTW ( I also duplicate the effort by being a member of eqsl.cc ) between the two I think most of the folks that want my confirmation will get it . . . But I also send out cards by mail especially to DX (with managers) or at requrest. My experience with LOTW has been good . . I crashed a couple of hard drives and lost (as you did) the necessary info . . . however, likely because it happened enough the ARRL people have made it super easy to 'recover' and get back on the beam again and they respond to email querys like instantly . . . I have to give them a big hand. I've uploaded over 4500 QSOs to LOTW and eQSL.cc each in just the last 14 months . . . I could never have afforded to send all those card via mail or even via the bureau ( I also use the bureau 100% as it helps to 'support' the ARRL hi hi ) Thank yo uso much for this great Blog and keep up the good work man! 73 Prayers and DX Doug Crittendon, NJ1T Hi Dan!
Thanks for a most enjoyable CW QSO great meeting you! I’m on a fixed income (part time/retired)
so the value of the LOTW ( I also duplicate the effort by being a member of eqsl.cc ) between the two I think most of the folks that want my confirmation will get it . . . But I also send out cards by mail especially to DX (with managers) or at requrest.
My experience with LOTW has been good . . I crashed a couple of hard drives and lost (as you did)
the necessary info . . . however, likely because it happened enough the ARRL people have made it super easy to ‘recover’ and get back on the beam again and they respond to email querys like instantly . . . I have to give them a big hand. I’ve uploaded over 4500 QSOs to LOTW and eQSL.cc each in just the last 14 months . . . I could never have afforded to send all those card via mail or even via the bureau ( I also use the bureau 100% as it helps to ‘support’ the ARRL hi hi )
Thank yo uso much for this great Blog and keep up the good work man! 73 Prayers and DX Doug Crittendon, NJ1T

]]> By: Dan KB6NU http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/#comment-319964 Dan KB6NU Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:39:45 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=2270#comment-319964 Hi, Jerry-- You don't say when you were using WB1ACX, but I'd be surprised if you get very many QSLs for that callsign. I might be wrong, though. Having a program that interfaces directly with LOTW makes using it a *lot* easier. I don't know which program you're using now, but if it's relatively modern, my guess is that it will support LOTW. 73, Dan Hi, Jerry–

You don’t say when you were using WB1ACX, but I’d be surprised if you get very many QSLs for that callsign. I might be wrong, though.

Having a program that interfaces directly with LOTW makes using it a *lot* easier. I don’t know which program you’re using now, but if it’s relatively modern, my guess is that it will support LOTW.

73, Dan

]]> By: Jerry Colton http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/#comment-319927 Jerry Colton Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:56:57 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=2270#comment-319927 Hi Dan.... I just Googled "LOTW Confusing" and got your site first! Like you wrote, I am saying to myself, "Is it me or is this thing confusing?" I am not a computer person. I can do all the basic stuff but the different file types and all that I would think would confuse any layman. I'd really like to get this LOTW on my computer and see the results I get from my old call as I was most active with that..... and that may create more confusion as I'd like to have LOTW for my current call I just got...... Just thinking about this give me a headache but I'm downloading the instructions and going to give it a try. I hope its worth all the effort. I'm also wondering if I need an additional logging program like Ham Radio Deluxe to make this all work..... Scratching my head... 73 and thanks for your informative site. N1TKO - Jerry (Former WB1CAX) Hi Dan…. I just Googled “LOTW Confusing” and got your site first! Like you wrote, I am saying to myself, “Is it me or is this thing confusing?” I am not a computer person. I can do all the basic stuff but the different file types and all that I would think would confuse any layman.
I’d really like to get this LOTW on my computer and see the results I get from my old call as I was most active with that….. and that may create more confusion as I’d like to have LOTW for my current call I just got…… Just thinking about this give me a headache but I’m downloading the instructions and going to give it a try. I hope its worth all the effort. I’m also wondering if I need an additional logging program like Ham Radio Deluxe to make this all work…..
Scratching my head…
73 and thanks for your informative site.
N1TKO – Jerry
(Former WB1CAX)

]]> By: Jeff http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/#comment-319816 Jeff Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:11:44 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=2270#comment-319816 It's not that hard to use! I am amazed that so many people have so much trouble using it. I followed the directions, and got it working the first time. I have better than 36% confirmation rate on my logged QSOs, too. As far as easy to use, the Ham Radio Deluxe Utilities from WD5EAE makes updating from logbook to LoTW a single mouse click -- or it can do it automatically! Sadly, there is no HRD for Mac, or Linux, but I find it easier to go with the flow and use Windows XP for my shack computer. Jeff It’s not that hard to use!

I am amazed that so many people have so much trouble using it. I followed the directions, and got it working the first time.

I have better than 36% confirmation rate on my logged QSOs, too.

As far as easy to use, the Ham Radio Deluxe Utilities from WD5EAE makes updating from logbook to LoTW a single mouse click — or it can do it automatically! Sadly, there is no HRD for Mac, or Linux, but I find it easier to go with the flow and use Windows XP for my shack computer.

Jeff

]]> By: VE3OIJ, Darin http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/#comment-319785 VE3OIJ, Darin Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:12:38 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=2270#comment-319785 Interesting article. I wrote something similar in early November as well: http://www.squidzone.ca/ve3oij/2009/11/why-ill-probably-never-use-logbook-of-the-world.html Enjoy! 73 de VE3OIJ Interesting article. I wrote something similar in early November as well:

http://www.squidzone.ca/ve3oij/2009/11/why-ill-probably-never-use-logbook-of-the-world.html

Enjoy!

73 de VE3OIJ

]]> By: Dan KB6NU http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/#comment-319671 Dan KB6NU Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:04:47 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=2270#comment-319671 I think I agree most with K3NG who says, "I guess it’s a great system if you’re a paper chaser." I do like getting QSLs, and I do want to get a DXCC certificate one of these days, but I'm certainly not obsessed with doing so. If I were, I'd be all over this. Since I'm not, I only goof around with LOTW every three to six months. What this means is that I forget nearly everything I learned the last time and have to re-learn it to get it working right again. So, to get back to the original question, "Is LOTW More Trouble Than It's Worth?" I guess the answer is no, and I will be beating on it until I get it working again. The ARRL has already sent me my new certificate. I hope that all I have to do is install it and everything will be up and running again. I think I agree most with K3NG who says, “I guess it’s a great system if you’re a paper chaser.” I do like getting QSLs, and I do want to get a DXCC certificate one of these days, but I’m certainly not obsessed with doing so. If I were, I’d be all over this. Since I’m not, I only goof around with LOTW every three to six months. What this means is that I forget nearly everything I learned the last time and have to re-learn it to get it working right again.

So, to get back to the original question, “Is LOTW More Trouble Than It’s Worth?” I guess the answer is no, and I will be beating on it until I get it working again. The ARRL has already sent me my new certificate. I hope that all I have to do is install it and everything will be up and running again.

]]> By: Eric WY7USA http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/#comment-319670 Eric WY7USA Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:35:59 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=2270#comment-319670 I just find it silly to have more encryption and security than most people have for their online banking. To what end? Just so someone doesn't fraudulently receive an award? I think the ARRL is taking the QSL validation waaay too seriously. And yes, that does make it more complicated than it need be. I just find it silly to have more encryption and security than most people have for their online banking.

To what end? Just so someone doesn’t fraudulently receive an award? I think the ARRL is taking the QSL validation waaay too seriously.

And yes, that does make it more complicated than it need be.

]]> By: Rick WA6ES http://kb6nu.com/is-logbook-of-the-world-more-trouble-thank-its-worth/#comment-319644 Rick WA6ES Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:32:02 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=2270#comment-319644 The funny thing is my last PC died, I use MACs, with all my logging info on it, no I did not have a recent backup. I contacted the ARRL/Norm and he offered to send me a copy of what I had in LOTW, small log only 3k+. Did the whole Cert renewal and got the same errors you received. So off to Norm again. He then sent me a step by step instruction on how to do it. With the instructions it went easy. I actually find it easy to use and now I keep a backup and also send it to myself at my Yahoo account. Not to make this any longer but when Norm sent me my Log I noticed I had many dup entries for the same call and times but seconds apart. Now to clean up my Log. Just my bit of info ! Rick WA6ES The funny thing is my last PC died, I use MACs, with all my logging info on it, no I did not have a recent backup. I contacted the ARRL/Norm and he offered to send me a copy of what I had in LOTW, small log only 3k+. Did the whole Cert renewal and got the same errors you received. So off to Norm again. He then sent me a step by step instruction on how to do it. With the instructions it went easy. I actually find it easy to use and now I keep a backup and also send it to myself at my Yahoo account.
Not to make this any longer but when Norm sent me my Log I noticed I had many dup entries for the same call and times but seconds apart. Now to clean up my Log. Just my bit of info !
Rick
WA6ES

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