Contest QSOs: Valid for LoTW entry?
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| Nov 17th 2014, 20:37 | |
NE8KTotal Topics: 0 Total Posts: 0 |
Hi, I tried my hand at the ARRL November sweepstakes, and spent a lot of time trying to figure out the LoTW software. I think I finally got it running (can't be sure, as I have no confirmed entries). As a new contester, I made a lot of mistakes, especially at first in not logging my QSO times. I mean, I can estimate within about half an hour. I did everything on paper, since I couldn't figure out the software, on what fields get put where, what to call the class, where the sent and recieved index numbers go, where to place the check number, etcetera. Now I've got this nice list of QSOs, from stations all over Canada and the CONUS. I didn't get any names for the QSO, just a callsign and the contest information. The Cabrillo format list that I hand-generated has been successfully submitted for the contest. Are these QSOs something that I should attempt to enter into Logbook of the world? If so, how does the LoTW deal with QSOs in which I didn't exchange names with the operator? Does a fifteen second QSO even count, if there was no reception report? What's the conventional wisdom of what contacts get logged where? |
| Nov 18th 2014, 03:43 | |
aa6eTotal Topics: 0 Total Posts: 0 |
It's a good thing to put your QSOs into LoTW, but it doesn't have anything to do with contesting AFAIK. It's so that you and your contacts can get award credits for WAS, DXCC, etc. Your QSO information has to match with the other guy's - callsigns, band, mode, and (very important) date and time. If the UTCs are off by more than 30 minutes plus or minus, LoTW does not get a match. There's no problem with a very short QSO. Names and other info don't count for a match. See https://lotw.arrl.org/lotw-help/key-concepts#confirmation . As you're finding out, it's hard to keep track of the required logging info by hand unless you're well organized. Most people will be using computer logging programs. If they're interfaced with the rig, they can record time, band, mode, and frequency info automatically. You mostly just have to enter the callsign and required info exchange. They can plug in an automatic "59" report, too. I don't know if honest signal reports are expected by anybody! What matters for LoTW is that the other guy has a matching entry for yours, but the RST report is not important. (Take this with a grain of salt. I don't do many contests, but I do use LoTW!) 73 Martin AA6E |
| Nov 22nd 2014, 16:04 | |
NE8KTotal Topics: 0 Total Posts: 0 |
Very helpful, AA6E, thank you. Now that I have LOTW running, I have rebuilt the station, and gotten the TS680 interfaced well enough to QSO with overseas stations on CW, PSK31, and Olivia, among others. I'll put those contest contacts into LOTW, and use my best estimate on the QSO times for the first few; The rest of them I have good times documented. Now I need to figure out CW protocols, but I'll write a separate thread about that particular problem |
| Jul 24th 2016, 14:58 | |
KB2FCVTotal Topics: 0 Total Posts: 0 |
I often would use contests to boost up my individual band dxcc's and they all go into lotw. |
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