Logbook of the World (LoTW)

Logbook of the World (LoTW)

Logbook of the World (LoTW) can be accessed over the internet and it is a database provided by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). It is used to claim and verify QSOs made with radio amateurs worldwide, mainly for awards. Earlier claims for awards were based on QSL cards received by post. All who have used QSL cards would very well know how slow and expensive it can be! The process has become much quicker since the inception of LoTW in 2003.

Keys for signing computerized logbook data are assigned by ARRL to the Amateur Radio operators. Logbook data includes callsigns, station location, contact time, frequency and operating mode. For US hams, ARRL uses FCC licensing database for verifying identity of the operator while others have to provide proof of identity. The submitted record of a QSO is matched with that of the other participant in a blinded fashion and a QSL declared, which can be used for an award claim. As expected, only about one fifth of the QSOs get confirmed on LoTW. Of course, the number may be much lower if you go for paper QSL cards!

Help regarding LoTW is available at their website. A free software known as TQSL (Trusted QSL) has to be installed for submitting QSOs to LoTW. A Callsign Certificate has to be obtained from ARRL. The request can be placed through TQSL software installed on your computer. Reply will be received on the submitted email usually within a day. [email protected] is the email address to which a copy of the Amateur Radio License and another government issued document that shows name and address like a driver’s license or a telephone bill has to be sent. Sensitive information like a license number or account number can be blacked out. Most often you receive the Callsign Certificate within a day. If there is a delay, a gentle reminder may be sent.

Once the Callsign Certificate is received by email, it has to be loaded in the TQSL software and you are ready to upload QSOs to LoTW. There is a tab for Callsign Certificate in the menu of TQSL when you open it. After loading the Callsign Certificate you have to create an ADIF file in TQSL for the QSOs you are planning to upload. After that you have to digitally sign the log using TQSL and the software will automatically upload it to LoTW if your computer is connected to the internet. Icons for all these are easily visible when you open the TQSL software.

There is provision for entering more than one station location and also for uploading a new Callsign Certificate when needed. You can also sign the log and save it for uploading later. When you are entering another set of QSOs later, you will be creating another ADIF file and saving it. After that you can sign and upload using the corresponding icon.

Confirmation of the QSO will occur when the QSO partner also uploads a corresponding log. Matching is double blind and the QSOs are not visible to the other partner before confirmation. If you make an error, it can be corrected by uploading a revised ADIF file, though the old record will remain in LoTW, without any adverse consequence.