*************** The ARRL Letter Vol. 23, No. 18 April 30, 2004 ***************
==>LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD TO INAUGURATE DXCC CREDITS SYSTEM MAY 5 The ARRL's Logbook of the World (LoTW) <http://www.arrl.org/lotw> secure contact database debuts its DXCC credits system Wednesday, May 5. As of week's end, the credits system was undergoing some final testing. ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, says the long-awaited LoTW component will permit users to apply contact "matches" in Logbook's 41.4 million QSO and growing database to their DXCC records. To date, Mills reports, more than 2.5 million QSO matches already exist in the system. "It's a pretty straightforward process," Mills said of crediting LoTW QSO matches to DXCC. "What participants need to do first is go to the LoTW site and read the instructions." Information available will include a list of frequently asked questions--FAQs. Before doing anything else, LoTW newcomers will have to obtain a Logbook of the World digital certificate and download the software. Since LoTW launched last September, it has validated nearly 10,000 digital certificates from approximately 7000 individual users. Obtaining a digital certificate, which authenticates each user under a particular call sign, is free. The Logbook of the World database is a repository of individual contact records submitted by users in the US and abroad. When both QSO participants submit matching contact records to LoTW, the result is a "virtual QSL" that--while it bears little resemblance to a paper QSL card--is good for DXCC credit. LoTW accommodates Windows, MacOS and Linux RPM users, and several logging software developers have incorporated LoTW components into their programs. DXCC is the first and only award for which LoTW users will be able to apply their credits. Mills says plans already are in the works to make the system available to apply LoTW credits to other ARRL and possibly some non-ARRL awards. Getting the DXCC credits system up and running has involved a considerable amount of programming--much of it by ARRL Web/Software Development Manager Jon Bloom, KE3Z--followed by extensive testing. LoTW users already holding digital certificates just need to click on the "Awards" menu tab to access the new system that lets them apply QSL credits to their DXCC records. While the software and obtaining a digital certificate are free, it will cost users to apply LoTW QSL credits to DXCC. The application fee for a basic DXCC certificate remains the same, however, and users will only be charged on the Logbook side of the system. Individual credits can cost as much as 25 cents apiece, but users can save money by buying credits in bulk. Purchasing more than 500 credits will drop the per-QSL cost to just 15 cents, Mills pointed out. "The fees are much more economical than the postage and other costs associated with collecting traditional paper QSL cards," he added. The application fee for a basic DXCC Award is $10 and includes up to 120 card credits. Applicants pay 15 cents per each additional card applied. A similar fee structure applies for those going the LoTW route, Mills says, and you won't have to pay any additional fees on the DXCC side. The site provides for secure payment via credit card. One first: LoTW will be able to query the DXCC system and display an individual's DXCC record. In the past, members have had to request their DXCC records via e-mail. "This was actually an unintended consequence of offering the DXCC credits system," Mills said. For more information, contact the Logbook of The World staff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. =========================================================== The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President. The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of interest to active amateurs. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise, and readable. Visit ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org> for the latest news, updated as it happens. The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> offers access to news, informative features and columns. ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a weekly "ham radio newscast" compiled from The ARRL Letter. Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League. ===== Jim Reisert AD1C, 7 Charlemont Court, North Chelmsford, MA 01863 USA +978-251-9933, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, http://www.ad1c.com PGP Fingerprint: D8E2 3D78 339F A7F1 8C13 1193 B5D1 4FB6 79D1 70DC ---------------------------------------------------------- To post a message the subject must begin with [:dx-news:] (all lower case) and sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------------------------------------------
