Logbook of The World
Encyclopedia
Logbook of the World 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) can claim and verify contacts (QSOs) made with other amateurs, generally for claiming credit for operating awards, such as DXCC. This kind of verification formerly required exchange of paper QSL cards
and submission to ARRL, a slow and somewhat expensive process. LoTW began operation in 2003.
The LoTW system emphasizes secure authentication using cryptographic
key distribution. An amateur's computer-based logbook, in ADIF or Cabrillo 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 has been 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 (who both 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 LoTW QSL is purely electronic; there is no paper confirmation.
A LoTW-registered amateur may log in to the LoTW website to view his or her logged QSOs and the verified QSL matches. When the amateur has a sufficient number of LoTW and/or traditional paper QSLs, he or she may apply for an ARRL award. At this time, LoTW credit may only be used for credit for ARRL awards; there is no recognition of other web-based QSL systems, such as eQSL.
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.
American Radio Relay League
The American Radio Relay League is the largest membership association of amateur radio enthusiasts in the USA. ARRL is a non-profit organization, and was founded in May 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim of Hartford, Connecticut...
(ARRL) to implement a contact verification service among amateur radio
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
operators. Using LoTW, radio amateurs (hams) can claim and verify contacts (QSOs) made with other amateurs, generally for claiming credit for operating awards, such as DXCC. This kind of verification formerly required exchange of paper QSL cards
QSL
QSL is one of the Q codes used in radiocommunication and radio broadcasting. A Q code message can stand for a statement or a question . In this case, QSL? means "do you confirm receipt of my transmission?" while QSL means "I confirm receipt of your transmission". Some also take it to mean "Query...
and submission to ARRL, a slow and somewhat expensive process. LoTW began operation in 2003.
The LoTW system emphasizes secure authentication using cryptographic
Cryptography
Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for secure communication in the presence of third parties...
key distribution. An amateur's computer-based logbook, in ADIF or Cabrillo 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
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
licensing database or to non-US amateurs who provide alternate proof of identity.
Once a log file has been 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 (who both 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 LoTW QSL is purely electronic; there is no paper confirmation.
A LoTW-registered amateur may log in to the LoTW website to view his or her logged QSOs and the verified QSL matches. When the amateur has a sufficient number of LoTW and/or traditional paper QSLs, he or she may apply for an ARRL award. At this time, LoTW credit may only be used for credit for ARRL awards; there is no recognition of other web-based QSL systems, such as eQSL.
Statistics
Recently (2011) the LoTW server provided the following information:| 352,549,175 | QSO records have been entered into the system. |
| 42,095,523 | QSL records have resulted. |
| 42,127 | Users are registered in the system |
Software
All registered LoTW users have access to the main user data site: p1k.arrl.org/lotw/. The TrustedQSL software for certificate management and logbook signing is available through the main LoTW information site: www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world. Versions of this software are 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.