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eQSL versus LOTW
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Well I think both system are good, bost cost something (time or money) to realy make it useful, let me explain:
EQSL: if you want to have confirmation of contact for award, you ave to pay and you have to send a proof of your indentity
LOTW: almost same here if you wan't to use it, first you have to prove your identity, then you receive this certificate that let you use the system. Free to use it, and later you will have to pay for the award.
Since I'm chasing award, both cost something, I have just 100 country in eQSL but only 13 are reconized, because ham didn't send proof of identity, but my QSO match them, so why no confirmation !
I prefer real QSL anyway, but still using both in case.
73,
hb9vid
Posted by
hb9vid
on October 29, 2003
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Macintosh computer
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I'd like to use it but I can't, because ARRL chose not to make it available to Macintosh computer users like me. It's available to only Microsoft Windows and Linux users. (Surely more hams use the Mac OS than use Linux. Grumble.)
Posted by
W1HIS
on October 20, 2003
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LOTW
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Wish it was as easy to utilize as eQSL.
Posted by
wa6bob
on October 12, 2003
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Security
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Re: "As an FYI, a knowledgeable person can obtain SS numbers off the web for just about anyone anyway. So if someone wants to steal your identity, they can easily do it" ---- For your information, that is certainly NOT the case in Canada... and frankly, I don't believe it is that easy in the USA... at least I hope not! Don't be so dismissive of security concerns...
Posted by
VE2DC
on October 10, 2003
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You People are Too Funny!
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Complaints about the fees come mostly from non-ARRL members. They are too cheap to support ham radio here in the US. The the ARRL invested in this system to REDUCE costs and make it easier to get awards. I could not believe reading where someone said they should not have to pay to use the LOTW credits AND the award fee. The award fee for something like DXCC is a whole $10. Now, you have two choices to prove you should be granted the award. One is a paper QSL, the other (or combination of the two) is LOTW. For me to get QSL cards, I spend $.37 out and include a SASE for the return - a total of $.74 cents. Now if I can do the same thing with LOTW, it is only $.25 so the ARRL is SAVING ME a total of $.49 or almost a half a dollar! It's a savings people - quit complaining. Now for DX stations. About $.90 outgoing postage and a green stamp to pay for the return postage. That's $1.90 per QSL and never guarantees 100% response so my actual cost per QSL is really more than that. So, $1.90 minus $.25 has the ARRL saving me $1.65 per QSL. I don't get what the whining is about. It cost money to run this system. Only about 30% of the hams in the US are members of the ARRL, but the system is open to everyone. It has to be supported someway. Stop whining and stop the cheapness. Now I know someone will comment that they use the bureau. Well that usually does not work for US stations and second, the bureau takes too long. I've had QSLs take up to eight years via the bureau.
Finally identity theft an issue? Paranoia, and excuses why people don't want to make a simple copy of their DL, ham license, etc. Black out your social security number if you want. As an FYI, a knowledgeable person can obtain SS numbers off the web for just about anyone anyway. So if someone wants to steal your identity, they can easily do it without your DL or anything the ARRL may have.
Posted by
wb8nut
on October 9, 2003
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LOTW & Fees
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There is no fee to use the service. The only fee is for award update. Hay if you want to be a cheapskate don't apply for awards. It seems pretty strange that you will spend thousands on equipment and antennas but cry on spending a few cents on an award. I think LOTW is a good idea. The only problem I see that it is only as good as its database. Like anything new there will always be growing pains.
73 Ed
Posted by
KX2S
on October 8, 2003
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Certification - Non-US
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It's a personal security risk for non-US amateurs registering...
They ask you to send photocopies of government documents, such as a
driving licence, to them by mail. In a time when identity theft is
prevalent, this is an unnecessary risk as the mail is anything but
secure, especially overseas. In addition, nothing has been published as
to what the ARRL does with these documents... put them in a filing
cabinet or destroy them? I'd like to know.
There does not seem to be any valid reason not to use the same method
they use for US citizens for most other countries where government
listings of licensees are readily available.
Posted by
VE2DC
on October 7, 2003
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Certification
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As N4HY says, you just have to send a copy of your licence and a copy of something to identify yourself (my driver's licence was OK).
I've done that, and I received my certificate in about... hmmm well, 3 days. The guys at ARRL were very fast, I hope that other DX stations will soon follow me (HI).
Posted by
iz4afw
on October 5, 2003
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LOTW
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I use Eqsl for cards, however I have sent my logs into lotw so other can confirm the qso. If they like me don't want awards but confirmation of the contact, fine and dandy. Its free to send logs in and like the others say only costs if you want an award.
Posted by
KC7UP
on October 5, 2003
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I will not use LoTW for 2 reasons
I think the fees are too high.
and the problems incountered with the certifaction. This leaves a lot to be desiredthe Program has some major bugs/oversights. I will continue to use
E-QSL.
Posted by
wd5jnc
on October 4, 2003
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Fees - NO Fees
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Fees??? There are ZERO fees for using LoTW! There are fees however for awards, as always. And using LoTW confirmations for awards entails a fee, just like sending in paper QSLs does.
But you can sign up, dump your logs, check confirmations, and hopefully get much smaller bureau packages in time, for zero dollars, pesos, lira, etc. Well, if you're outta the US, you do need to mail some paper in ONE time
73
Ted KT1V
Posted by
kr1g
on October 3, 2003
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Fees
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Will not use this service with the present fees. They need to cut the fees or drop the charge for their awards, but don't charge both.
Posted by
KC4ATU
on October 3, 2003
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Certification
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There has been a lot of misinformation
presented in several venues about certification of non-US/CA stations. You do NOT have to send your license. You have to send a COPY of your license and some form of government ID (such as a copy of your driver's license). This is easy. DO IT. 73's N4HY
Posted by
n4hy
on October 2, 2003
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