[HCRA] Logbook of the World

Sun, 28 Sep 2003 14:30:02 -0400

Greetings!

Jim makes an excellent point about LoTW: He said, "Even if you are not
interested in the awards your log could help someone else get theirs." 

Another factoid we have not emphasized in our reporting of Logbook of
the World is that LoTW is a homegrown product--we did not job the
development out to an outside firm. ARRL Web and Software Development
Department Manager Jon Bloom, KE3Z, has had the primary responsibility
for putting together the tens of thousands of lines of C code that make
LoTW work.

A benefit to this is that the program can more readily be modified to
meet future needs and/or to address any "issues" that might arise along
the way.

Before uploading any data, you have to obtain a digital certificate (or
signature) that authenticates who you are. See the LoTW Web site
http://www.arrl.org/lotw/ for details on how to do this, and make sure
your mailing address is current with the FCC before you apply for one.

Keep in mind, too, as Dan Henderson mentioned in his presentation at the
last club meeting, LoTW is not intended to be an "electronic QSL"
service nor is it intended to replace the venerable Amateur Radio
tradition of exchanging QSL cards. It is intended to be a secure method
to electronically authenticate and confirm contacts between stations
that submit log data, primarily to accrue credits for ARRL-sponsored
awards such as DXCC and WAS.

73 Rick N1RL 

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Jim Mullen
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2003 10:57 AM
To: HCRA Mailing List
Subject: [HCRA] Logbook of the World

______________________________________________
-------Hampden County Radio Association-------
-----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
______________________________________________
I'm sure everyone is aware of the Logbook of the World. It was unveiled
by
ARRL on September 15th and very well covered by Dan at the last meeting.

Well, after a few hiccups I have been able to upload 5139 QSO's to the
database, under both of my calls. Overall it was pretty painless. So far
I
have 63 QSL records on the ARRL website.

This is a very ambitious program from ARRL and is a great way for new
hams
to get into DXCC without the cost of getting QSL cards mailed. It will
also
be much quicker! In order for it to really be effective it's important
that
everyone with their logbook in electronic format upload data to ARRL.
You
don't have to be a member to upload. Even if you are not interested in
the
awards your log could help someone else get theirs. Much more
information
can be found at the ARRL website at: http://www.arrl.org/lotw/. It's
really
not that difficult. Overall I would say it took me about an hour to
accomplish the task, and I was being careful because I didn't want to
screw
up my log.

Other news:
-----------

The next meeting is this coming Friday, October 3rd. There has been a
slight
change in the guest speaker. Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF had double booked the
date. He has rescheduled for January 2004. However, Tom Frenaye has
agreed
to fill in for Mike and will be covering much of the same topics Mike
had
scheduled. Tom is the New England Division Director for ARRL, an ARRL
board
member that is always soliciting information from members and an active
contester. This should be an interesting meeting so bring yourself and
your
opinions. Here is a great chance for your voice to be heard at the
League
about what is important to you as an amateur.

Friday will also be your last chance to join or renew your HCRA
membership
and get a free chance in the Icom HT raffle. Be sure to fill out your
application and get it in to either the PO box by Friday or at the
meeting
that evening. Some lucky HCRA member will be leaving happy I'll bet. And
as
always, coffee, donuts, raffle prizes and good company.

The bands are open a bit today. Have fun, work some new ones and I'll
see
you Friday.

Jim, KK1W

------Hampden County Radio Association-------
An ARRL Special Services Club for over 50 years
------------http://www.hcra.org------------
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