Emailed QSLs
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Not totally defunct but if you pay for paper then you should get paper. At the very least some compensation.
Outlook LT Gil W0MN Hierro Candente Batir de Repente 44.08226 N 92.51265 W EN34rb
From: ARRL-Awards@... <ARRL-Awards@...> On Behalf Of Paul R. Stoetzer
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 4:46 PM To: ARRL-Awards@... Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] Emailed QSLs
CQ Magazine is certainly not defunct. The digital issue arrives on time on the first of every month. As for the paper version, well…
AMSAT accepts LoTW confirmations for our awards based on screenshots. Not a perfect system, but it works.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 17:41 Duane Wheeler, N6DSC via groups.arrl.org <dw.wheeler1=me.com@...> wrote:
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I really liked CQ, a lot of bandwidth that QST did not cover. Two years ago they blamed it on production problems. Last year I think they threw out Covid for an excuse. I dropped the subscription two years ago. Think we are nearing the end of the bus ride. I live for CQWW, Sad state of affairs. Dale K8TS
From: ARRL-Awards@... <ARRL-Awards@...> On Behalf Of David Hallidy
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2022 12:15 PM To: ARRL-Awards@... Cc: k2dh1@... Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] Emailed QSLs
If CQ isn't dead, it's certainly circling the drain. They asked me to become the monthly VHF editor last Fall, but said they couldn't pay me any time soon, so I turned them down. My wife ordered a 2022 calendar from them for me for a Christmas present- it still hasn't arrived and last time she called to check on it, they said they had no expected date. On a freaking calendar! Not gonna do much good if it comes much later. My two cents. Dave K2DH
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message -------- From: "Paul R. Stoetzer" <N8HM@...> Date: 1/24/22 11:57 (GMT-05:00) To: ARRL-Awards@... Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] Emailed QSLs
CQ Magazine is certainly not defunct. The digital issue arrives on time on the first of every month. As for the paper version, well…
AMSAT accepts LoTW confirmations for our awards based on screenshots. Not a perfect system, but it works.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 17:41 Duane Wheeler, N6DSC via groups.arrl.org <dw.wheeler1=me.com@...> wrote:
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David Hallidy
If CQ isn't dead, it's certainly circling the drain. They asked me to become the monthly VHF editor last Fall, but said they couldn't pay me any time soon, so I turned them down. My wife ordered a 2022 calendar from them for me for a Christmas present- it still hasn't arrived and last time she called to check on it, they said they had no expected date. On a freaking calendar! Not gonna do much good if it comes much later. My two cents. Dave K2DH Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: "Paul R. Stoetzer" <N8HM@...> Date: 1/24/22 11:57 (GMT-05:00) To: ARRL-Awards@... Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] Emailed QSLs CQ Magazine is certainly not defunct. The digital issue arrives on time on the first of every month. As for the paper version, well… AMSAT accepts LoTW confirmations for our awards based on screenshots. Not a perfect system, but it works. 73, Paul, N8HM On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 17:41 Duane Wheeler, N6DSC via groups.arrl.org <dw.wheeler1=me.com@...> wrote:
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Paul R. Stoetzer
CQ Magazine is certainly not defunct. The digital issue arrives on time on the first of every month. As for the paper version, well… AMSAT accepts LoTW confirmations for our awards based on screenshots. Not a perfect system, but it works. 73, Paul, N8HM On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 17:41 Duane Wheeler, N6DSC via groups.arrl.org <dw.wheeler1=me.com@...> wrote:
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Smiling greatly.
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Outlook LT Gil W0MN Hierro Candente Batir de Repente 44.08226 N 92.51265 W EN34rb -----Original Message-----
From: ARRL-Awards@... <ARRL-Awards@...> On Behalf Of Dave AA6YQ Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 6:38 PM To: ARRL-Awards@... Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] Emailed QSLs + AA6YQ comments below I don't find LoTW hard to use. Most of the complexity is hidden by DX Lab Suite's DX Keeper. It uploads new QSOs and downloads confirmations, pretty much at the click of a button. What could be easier? I could make the QSO for me (but that's what WSJT-X is for!) + A logging application can't hide the need for you to - request and manage LoTW "Callsign Certificates" - link your LoTW DXCC account to your DXCC Record after making your first DXCC award application - define rules governing your LoTW WAS account and your LoTW VUCC account - either accept LoTW's naïve (and unnecessarily expensive) selection of confirmed QSOs to submit for DXCC, VUCC, and WAS award credits, or manually select an optimal set of QSOs to submit - manually update logged QSO to reflect the granting of VUCC and WAS award credits + A user who is pursuing DXCC, VUCC, and/or WAS awards should not need to know anything more than the rules of each award, and should not need to specify anything more than the bands and modes on which each award is being pursued, and the location(s) from which each award is being pursued. The current implementation of LoTW falls well short of this because its interoperation with the ARRL's DXCC, VUCC, and WAS systems was implemented under a "minimum development time" constraint rather than a "minimum user-perceived complexity" constraint. + What's needed is a top-level RadioSport user interface that provides each user with access to the functionality of the ARRL's LoTW, DXCC, VUCC, and WAS systems while hiding the implementation details, constraints, and requirements that the current arrangement forces users to understand in order to accomplish their objectives. + The RadioSport user interface concept was developed by ARRL's LoTW Committee in 2016. 73, Dave, AA6YQ |
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Dave AA6YQ
+ AA6YQ comments below
I don't find LoTW hard to use. Most of the complexity is hidden by DX Lab Suite's DX Keeper. It uploads new QSOs and downloads confirmations, pretty much at the click of a button. What could be easier? I could make the QSO for me (but that's what WSJT-X is for!) + A logging application can't hide the need for you to - request and manage LoTW "Callsign Certificates" - link your LoTW DXCC account to your DXCC Record after making your first DXCC award application - define rules governing your LoTW WAS account and your LoTW VUCC account - either accept LoTW's naïve (and unnecessarily expensive) selection of confirmed QSOs to submit for DXCC, VUCC, and WAS award credits, or manually select an optimal set of QSOs to submit - manually update logged QSO to reflect the granting of VUCC and WAS award credits + A user who is pursuing DXCC, VUCC, and/or WAS awards should not need to know anything more than the rules of each award, and should not need to specify anything more than the bands and modes on which each award is being pursued, and the location(s) from which each award is being pursued. The current implementation of LoTW falls well short of this because its interoperation with the ARRL's DXCC, VUCC, and WAS systems was implemented under a "minimum development time" constraint rather than a "minimum user-perceived complexity" constraint. + What's needed is a top-level RadioSport user interface that provides each user with access to the functionality of the ARRL's LoTW, DXCC, VUCC, and WAS systems while hiding the implementation details, constraints, and requirements that the current arrangement forces users to understand in order to accomplish their objectives. + The RadioSport user interface concept was developed by ARRL's LoTW Committee in 2016. 73, Dave, AA6YQ |
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I don't find LoTW hard to use. Most of the complexity is hidden by DX Lab Suite's DX Keeper. It uploads new QSOs and downloads confirmations, pretty much at the click of a button. What could be easier? I could make the QSO for me (but that's what WSJT-X is for!) Jeff n1kdo On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 5:29 PM Dave AA6YQ <aa6yq@...> wrote: .... so I guess an equivalent dual structure in LoTW (adding a low-integrity entry level with reduced authentication criteria - less checks on locations, licenses etc.) might perhaps double the number of LoTW users, even if roughly half the resulting QSOs had a lower level of assurance, insufficient to claim [some] awards such as DXCC. |
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It appears to me CQ magazine is defunct. How does this effect their awards programs. I am very disappointed with CQ I have not received a magazine since August 2021. Lots of us have paid in advance for subscription for 3years and they never have communicated with their customers. I think all this fuss about ARRL we should leave ARRL alone as they are doing an excellent job and are dependable.
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Duane, N6DSC
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If he’s in your log, AND his information is correct, why would you brand your return card as “not valid for any award”?
“Yes, we worked, and I QSL our contact, but you aren’t allowed to tell anyone.” ????
73, de Hans, K0HB
From: Pete W1RM
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 14:29 To: ARRL-Awards@... Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] Emailed QSLs
---Clippage ---
I think I will create a special (unique) QSL for the email reply and put on it, not valid for any award. This way, I can be polite and yet not tempt the recipient to use it. I am more than happy to reply to any paper QSL and I routinely load all logs to LoTW.
Pete Chamalian, W1RM W1RM@...
-- 73, de Hans, K0HB "Just a Boy and His Radio"™ |
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Dave AA6YQ
.... so I guess an equivalent dual structure in LoTW (adding a low-integrity entry level with reduced authentication criteria - less checks on locations, licenses etc.) might perhaps double the number of LoTW users, even if roughly half the resulting QSOs had a lower level of assurance, insufficient to claim [some] awards such as DXCC.
That would be a substantial pool of potential new recruits to the current high-integrity LoTW and DXCC. + With LoTW's current level of gratuitous complexity, adding "low integrity confirmations" would likely drive more users away than it would attract. + After LoTW's authentication and security measures have been properly made to disappear from user awareness, "low integrity confirmations" could be re-visited - with a better name, of course. 73, Dave, AA6YQ |
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wa3pzo
I am the QSL manager for WM3PEN during the 13 Colonies event.
We had over 10300 Qs in 1 week. So far we had over 6500 Qs confirmed via LOTW, 3500 Qs confirmed via EQSL and almost 1000 paper qsl card requests. The number of Qs confirmed via paper is higher than the actual number of cards received since multiple contacts are listed on the paper cards. EQSLs and LOTW Qs continue to go up. We're still getting confirmation from 2015 and I haven't gotten this year's buro cards yet.
The QSL manager indicates how they will process qsl card requests. It is then up to the person making the contact to determine how they want to confirm the contact. Some may chose 1 or more methods to confirm the contact depending what their end goal is. One may use LOTW for the ARRL Awards, EQSL for the CQ Awards, and still others may want the paper card because of the event theme (13 Colonies, RT 66, Indianapolis Race, etc. ) Some may chose to use the OQRS system. OQRS is tempting when you are sitting on over 10000 QSL cards for the past 11 years. ( I have found different ways of using them.)
So there is room for at least 3 or 4 ways of confirming a contact. Maybe more.
Each system has their place and use.
73
Bob, WA3PZO -----Original Message-----
From: Ria, N2RJ <rjairam@...> To: ARRL-Awards@... Sent: Tue, Jan 18, 2022 3:25 pm Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] Emailed QSLs While I suspect that more “serious DXers” use LoTW, I do believe that “nobody uses eQSL” is quite incorrect.
On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 3:19 PM Dave AA6YQ <aa6yq@...> wrote:
eQSL claims they have over 375,000 registered users. |
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Andy Jezioro
CQ magazine accepts eQSL confirmations for the USA-CA award provided that the sender is a guaranteed authentic member. I know because I got the basic 500 county award and the 1000 couny award using 100% eQSL confirmations. Alas for 1500 I'll have to use a combination of paper and eQSL
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Andy WA2ONG On 1/18/2022 1:08 PM, W0MU wrote:
Why would people not use LOTW? I would assume the cost to verify a digitally signed card or use a LOTW contact would be the same price or should be. That is essentially what LOTW is less the card and graphics etc. It is just the data of the contacts required for the awards. |
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Gary Hinson <Gary@...>
.... so I guess an equivalent dual structure in LoTW (adding a low-integrity entry level with reduced authentication criteria - less checks on locations, licenses etc.) might perhaps double the number of LoTW users, even if roughly half the resulting QSOs had a lower level of assurance, insufficient to claim [some] awards such as DXCC.
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That would be a substantial pool of potential new recruits to the current high-integrity LoTW and DXCC. 73 Gary ZL2iFB -----Original Message-----
From: ARRL-Awards@... <ARRL-Awards@...> On Behalf Of Dave AA6YQ Sent: Wednesday, 19 January 2022 9:19 am To: ARRL-Awards@... Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] Emailed QSLs eQSL claims they have over 375,000 registered users. + Only QSOs with "Authenticity Guaranteed" (AG) users of eQSL count for awards sponsored by CQ - like WAZ. As of Sunday, there were 150,404 AG users of eQSL. That’s significantly more than LoTW. + As of Sunday, 168,054 callsigns had submitted QSOs to LoTW. de AA6YQ |
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Dave AA6YQ
While I suspect that more “serious DXers” use LoTW, I do believe that “nobody uses eQSL” is quite incorrect.
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+ 150,404 Authenticity Guaranteed users are hardly "nobody". + Ops pursuing CQ's USA-CA award have no choice -- an unfortunate situation that should have been addressed by extending LoTW to support USA-CA back in 2018 (or any time thereafter). + Each week, when I direct my logging application to synchronize with eQSL, I am offered confirmations from 3-5 stations that I never worked and never logged. LoTW's "double-blind" matching mechanism prevents that. de AA6YQ On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 3:19 PM Dave AA6YQ <aa6yq@...> wrote:
eQSL claims they have over 375,000 registered users. + Only QSOs with "Authenticity Guaranteed" (AG) users of eQSL count for awards sponsored by CQ - like WAZ. As of Sunday, there were 150,404 AG users of eQSL. That’s significantly more than LoTW. + As of Sunday, 168,054 callsigns had submitted QSOs to LoTW. de AA6YQ |
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While I suspect that more “serious DXers” use LoTW, I do believe that “nobody uses eQSL” is quite incorrect. On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 3:19 PM Dave AA6YQ <aa6yq@...> wrote: eQSL claims they have over 375,000 registered users. |
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Dave AA6YQ
eQSL claims they have over 375,000 registered users.
+ Only QSOs with "Authenticity Guaranteed" (AG) users of eQSL count for awards sponsored by CQ - like WAZ. As of Sunday, there were 150,404 AG users of eQSL. That’s significantly more than LoTW. + As of Sunday, 168,054 callsigns had submitted QSOs to LoTW. de AA6YQ |
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Gary Hinson <Gary@...>
Sounds good to me, Dave!
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-----Original Message-----
From: ARRL-Awards@... <ARRL-Awards@...> On Behalf Of Dave AA6YQ Sent: Wednesday, 19 January 2022 8:21 am To: ARRL-Awards@... Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] Emailed QSLs Making LoTW easier to use (and manage and maintain) makes more sense, along with better documentation and promotion/incentives to encourage more of these QSL emailers to join the programme. For example, substantially increasing the number and variety of award schemes accepting LoTW confirmations I'm sure would drive up both awareness and use of LoTW. + Localizing LoTW's user interface and documentation for additional languages would help. Although LoTW itself is free to use, I don't think there are any free LoTW-based awards at present. What would it take to add some free 'self-service' entry-level awards, I wonder, generating award PDFs for us to print and frame at our own expense? + DXCC awards for the FT-8 and FT-4 modes, for example. The increased sensitivity of these modes has provided first-time HF access to many antenna-limited amateurs, and would serve as an entry point to the ARRL's award families. "Self-service" would keep the costs low for everyone. + The web service developed back in 2016 that accepts an ADIF file and generates a report showing which QSOs in that file are confirmed via LoTW (without requiring user credentials) would - if released - enable radio clubs to conduct on-air activities scored by LoTW confirmations. Making access to this API available to local clubs around the world at no charge would likely encourage more ops to participate in LoTW - as the NPOTA, Centennial, and Grid Chase activities all did. 73, Dave, AA6YQ |
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eQSL claims they have over 375,000 registered users. That’s significantly more than LoTW. I use it for 5BWAZ and other cq awards. Ria N2RJ On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 2:47 PM W0MU <w0mu@...> wrote:
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Jamie WW3S
a lot....several in our local club, use it regularly, one even prints out the nicer "cards", stores them in a binder, and brings them to the monthly meeting ...
------ Original Message ------
From: "W0MU" <w0mu@...>
To: ARRL-Awards@...
Sent: 1/18/2022 2:47:40 PM
Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] Emailed QSLs
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W0MU
I think you missed the point. What percentage of people actually
use Eqsl? On 1/18/2022 11:36 AM, Ria, N2RJ wrote:
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