Logbook of the World (LoTW) is a web-accessed database provided by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to implement a contact verification service among amateur radio operators. Using LoTW, radio amateurs (hams) are able to claim and verify contacts (QSOs) made with other amateurs, generally for claiming credit for operating awards, such as DXCC. Previously, hams had to rely on paper QSL cards and submit to ARRL; a slow and somewhat expensive process. LoTW began operation in 2003.[1]
The LoTW system uses "secure" authentication using cryptographic key distribution. An amateur's computer-based logbook, in ADIF[2] or Cabrillo[3] format, must be "signed" using a key obtained from ARRL. (Logbook data includes callsigns and locations of stations, contact time, frequency, and operating mode.) ARRL assigns such keys to amateurs who appear in the U.S. FCC licensing database or to non-US amateurs who provide alternate proof of identity.
Once a log file is signed using ARRL's "TrustedQSL" (or equivalent) program, it is uploaded to the ARRL server and entered in the database.
Log records in the LoTW database are automatically compared so that when a contact at a particular time, operating mode, and frequency band is claimed by both participating amateurs (both of whom must have submitted their logs), a "QSL" (confirmation) is declared for a later award claim, e.g., for contacts with all U.S. states or 100 different countries. The matching process is blind, meaning that none of the two stations can see pending confirmations before they uploaded a matching record. The LoTW QSL is purely electronic; there were no paper confirmations. However, a participant is able to print out a record of each confirmed contact, complete with its LOTW record number.
A LoTW-registered amateur is able to log into the LoTW website to view their logged QSOs and the verified QSL matches. When the amateur obtains a sufficient number of LoTW and/or traditional paper QSLs, they are able to apply for an ARRL award. As of January 2012, LoTW credit could be used for credit for awards issued by the ARRL and by CQ Magazine. The ARRL does not recognize other web-based QSL systems, such as eQSL,[4] for awards credit.
Statisticsedit
As of (May 26, 2022) the LoTW server[5] provided the following information:
LOTW Statistics (May 26, 2022)
1,527,031,336
QSO records have been entered into the system.
329,084,756
QSL records have resulted.
159,231
Users are registered in the system
227,651
Certificates are active
55,553,189
User files have been processed
21.6%
Percentage of submitted QSO records confirmed as QSL records
Softwareedit
All registered LoTW users have access to the main user data site: lotw.arrl.org. The TrustedQSL software for certificate management and logbook signing was available through the main LoTW information site: www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world. Versions of this software were available for many versions of Windows, Macintosh, and Linux operating systems.
Programmers' information and source code are available at trustedqsl.sourceforge.net, in particular the 2001 design specification.
LoTW functions are integrated into a number of amateur radio logging software packages, simplifying the signing and upload process.
2024 Network Access Incidentedit
On May 16, 2024, the ARRL announced that it was responding to a "serious incident involving access" to its network and headquarters-based systems. This incident resulted in access to Logbook of the World being unavailable.[6]
Referencesedit
^Mills, Wayne (October 2003). "Introducing Logbook of The World". QST. 87 (10): 46–47.
eQSL.cc Position on the ARRL Logbook of the World Specification
LOTW Resources by HB9BZA
LoTW users group (Facebook)
ZL2IFB LoTW User Guide
Report of 2024 Service Disruption
January 01, 1970
logbook, world, logbook, world, lotw, accessed, database, provided, american, radio, relay, league, arrl, implement, contact, verification, service, among, amateur, radio, operators, using, lotw, radio, amateurs, hams, able, claim, verify, contacts, qsos, made. Logbook of the World LoTW is a web accessed database provided by the American Radio Relay League ARRL to implement a contact verification service among amateur radio operators Using LoTW radio amateurs hams are able to claim and verify contacts QSOs made with other amateurs generally for claiming credit for operating awards such as DXCC Previously hams had to rely on paper QSL cards and submit to ARRL a slow and somewhat expensive process LoTW began operation in 2003 1 Logbook of the World Logo Contents 1 Confirmation process 2 Statistics 3 Software 4 2024 Network Access Incident 5 References 6 External linksConfirmation process editThe LoTW system uses secure authentication using cryptographic key distribution An amateur s computer based logbook in ADIF 2 or Cabrillo 3 format must be signed using a key obtained from ARRL Logbook data includes callsigns and locations of stations contact time frequency and operating mode ARRL assigns such keys to amateurs who appear in the U S FCC licensing database or to non US amateurs who provide alternate proof of identity Once a log file is signed using ARRL s TrustedQSL or equivalent program it is uploaded to the ARRL server and entered in the database Log records in the LoTW database are automatically compared so that when a contact at a particular time operating mode and frequency band is claimed by both participating amateurs both of whom must have submitted their logs a QSL confirmation is declared for a later award claim e g for contacts with all U S states or 100 different countries The matching process is blind meaning that none of the two stations can see pending confirmations before they uploaded a matching record The LoTW QSL is purely electronic there were no paper confirmations However a participant is able to print out a record of each confirmed contact complete with its LOTW record number A LoTW registered amateur is able to log into the LoTW website to view their logged QSOs and the verified QSL matches When the amateur obtains a sufficient number of LoTW and or traditional paper QSLs they are able to apply for an ARRL award As of January 2012 LoTW credit could be used for credit for awards issued by the ARRL and by CQ Magazine The ARRL does not recognize other web based QSL systems such as eQSL 4 for awards credit Statistics editAs of May 26 2022 the LoTW server 5 provided the following information LOTW Statistics May 26 2022 1 527 031 336 QSO records have been entered into the system 329 084 756 QSL records have resulted 159 231 Users are registered in the system 227 651 Certificates are active 55 553 189 User files have been processed 21 6 Percentage of submitted QSO records confirmed as QSL recordsSoftware editAll registered LoTW users have access to the main user data site lotw arrl org The TrustedQSL software for certificate management and logbook signing was available through the main LoTW information site www arrl org logbook of the world Versions of this software were available for many versions of Windows Macintosh and Linux operating systems Programmers information and source code are available at trustedqsl sourceforge net in particular the 2001 design specification LoTW functions are integrated into a number of amateur radio logging software packages simplifying the signing and upload process 2024 Network Access Incident editOn May 16 2024 the ARRL announced that it was responding to a serious incident involving access to its network and headquarters based systems This incident resulted in access to Logbook of the World being unavailable 6 References edit Mills Wayne October 2003 Introducing Logbook of The World QST 87 10 46 47 ADIF Amateur Data Interchange Format Cabrillo Summary Sheet V3 0 21 August 2014 eQSL cc The Electronic QSL Card Centre The ARRL LOGBOOK of the World Retrieved 7 December 2020 https www arrl org news arrl systems service disruptionExternal links editeQSL cc Position on the ARRL Logbook of the World Specification LOTW Resources by HB9BZA LoTW users group Facebook ZL2IFB LoTW User Guide Report of 2024 Service Disruption Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Logbook of The World amp oldid 1224825475, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
