VUCC Support now on LOTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[T. M.]

I just checked the LOTW page and they have VUCC support up and
running!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Long Overdue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get signed up and upload those logs NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

73s de Tim - K7XC - DM09nm... sk

"The Only Thing Nessesary For The Triumph Of Evil Is For Good Men To Do
Nothing" - Edmund Burke

[Clay W7CE]

I'm not terribly interested in LOTW, but I took a look at the ARRL web
page to figure out how much applying for VUCC will cost me. I have over
500 grids confirmed (with good old-fashioned QSL cards) on 6M and have
never applied for VUCC before. The paper application with cards will
cost $10 if I'm reading the application correctly. I can't find the
costs on the ARRL web site and it looks like you have to have a LOTW
account to determine the cost. I checked DXCC costs and it looks like
$58 will get you DXCC with 190 countries through LOTW, and the cost
increases with every extra QSL. If costs are similar, it will cost $100
to $200 for my first VUCC certificate through LOTW vs. $10 for the
traditional paper application. I have to wonder if a computerized
record keeping system really costs more to administer than a paper-based
manual one, or if this is meant to be a source of revenue for the ARRL.
Considering the amount of work required to get set up on LOTW and the
cost, I'm going to stick with paper QSLs for now.

If VUCC applications are cheaper than DXCC, maybe someone with a LOTW
account would let us know.

73,
Clay W7CE

[hwardsil]

> I have to wonder if a computerized
> record keeping system really costs more to administer than a paper-based
> manual one, or if this is meant to be a source of revenue for the ARRL.
>

> 73,
> Clay  W7CE

You simply must be joking...a source of revenue?

Awards programs and contest programs never make money. They are a
significant expense, in fact. There is not one amateur radio
organization that makes money directly from contests or awards.
Before you point out CQ Magazine's WW and WPX programs, consider that
they are run nearly 100% by volunteers. There is no way CQ could
afford to pay for the hours expended on those programs. They help CQ
stay in business by attracting subscribers, but that's the extent of
the economic benefit.

The programming time and effort to expand LOTW to VUCC were not
insignificant. There were a lot of projects that benefit many more
members ahead of VUCC in the queue. Yet paper-based (meaning staff-
intensive) systems are even more expensive to run and while it took
time for the resources to become available, the electronic system will
increase the efficiency of the programs for both the ARRL and for
applicants. If the QSLing and postage expenses involved with sending
and receiving the QSLs (another paper-based system) are totaled for
either DXCC or VUCC, you will find that the computerized system saves
money and personal hours. Even if you already have all the QSLs in-
hand, there is a good chance that over time, you'll realize a savings
from going electronic as you increase your totals.

The ARRL sponsors awards and contests because they further the basis
and purpose of the service, which is to develop technical and operator
skills, and not insignificantly, encourage the use and occupation of
our allocations. That is a good use of membership dollars, in my
opinion, even at a loss.

73, Ward N0AX

[Jerry]

Well.. took me awhile to figure out where that .tq5 file was hiding ! ;o)  Got it sent in and was warned I may get this back..

Processing file 'VE6CPP.tq5'

2011-01-14 16:08:03 Started processing your New Certificate Request.
2011-01-14 16:08:03         For call sign: VE6CPP
2011-01-14 16:08:03       For DXCC Entity: CANADA (1)
2011-01-14 16:08:03   For QSOs not before: 1984-02-14 00:00:00
2011-01-14 16:08:03    For QSOs not after: <none>
2011-01-14 16:08:03 Your certificate request is accepted and awaiting further processing.
2011-01-14 16:08:03 You must mail in (via postal mail) supporting documentation to complete the request.

So.. guess I am 'stuck' until the Snail Mail can deliver a copy of my License ! Oh well.. at least I am 'part way there' ! 73
Jerry VE6CPP
DN39or

[Clay W7CE]

Thanks for all the replies.

After three or four minutes of serious consideration, I'm going to stick
to the traditional method of QSLing for now. To me, collecting QSLs via
LOTW is like being a stamp collector and paying the "modest" fee of
$0.16 per stamp for the right to view them on a web page. No serious
collector is ever satisfied with anything less than physical possession
of their collection and the ability to touch it anytime they please.
After all the time, patience and work required to complete VUCC, DXCC,
FFMA or any other ARRL award, how many of you would be happy if, instead
of a paper certificate or plaque, the ARRL emailed the link to a web
page that allowed you to view your certificate online whenever you
want? Isn't that the next logical step? LCD screens are getting
cheaper so maybe you can hang one on your shack wall and run a
continuous-loop, web-based slide show of all your award and contest
certificates.

Having said all that, I reserve the right to change my mind at any time
and to either obsessively or casually employ new methodologies and/or
paradigms that may increase the pleasure and satisfaction, or pain and
agony if I so desire, that I receive from this or any other avocation or
vocation that I am pursuing or considering for future pursuit. So
should you.

73,
Clay W7CE

P.S. If you want my QSL, just send me one with an SASE and I'll return
one right away. If you can't afford the return stamp, enclose an SAE
and you'll get my card, but maybe not quite as quickly. If you can't
afford the postage and/or the QSL card, send me an email and a card will
be provided at no charge. I don't charge for QSOs and I won't charge
for QSLs.

[Jeremy Alexander]

Hmmm...,

I am not fond of qsl cards. Doing many DXP's brings mountains of mail, seriously huge. I can not say I do not enjoy the cash donations. However, I would like not to need to do qsl replies just because someone "needs" it for whatever they are after.

I hope the LOTW matures into a widely used and trusted system. I would love to save some paper, all of it. So those of us that prefer not to qsl can still offer some type of proof of the qso completion for you.

Jeremy
www.w7eme.org

--- On Fri, 1/14/11, Clay W7CE <w7...@curtiss.net> wrote:

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[Jeremy Alexander]

Aloha to all:

... going to hand out some points from the 1k5w portable this contest segment. I will haul it up on Jasper hill in CN84. I'll be running my 50 footer long Yagi and remote MiniCeptor receiver.

I have full az/el, EME skeds welcome, please ask. I still have plenty of 30 minute slots open during the moon passes....small stations welcome. I can hear as well as many 4 yagi stations, try me please

GL to all, have fun! Jeremy
www.w7eme.org

[Jeremy Alexander]

Sorry, I guesss I shouldn't assume everyone knows what I am talking about.

I am QRV 2m only...

73 Jeremy
www.w7eme.org

--- On Tue, 1/18/11, Jeremy Alexander <w7...@yahoo.com> wrote: