[CQ-Contest] LoTW question

[Dick Green]

Chuck,

First, I don't think LoTW will reduce your chances of getting a paper QSL,
as long as you send an SASE. I have to believe that the vast majority of
hams will recognize and respect your cost and effort in providing an SASE
and will understand that this means you want a card. If you sent me an SASE,
I would certainly send you a card, even if I knew you were an LoTW user
(which, at the moment, I can only tell if I have confirmed QSOs with you in
the LoTW database.) Hopefully, the meaning of an SASE request will become
part of the post-LoTW QSLing etiquette.

That said, if I got a buro card from you, and knew that you were an LoTW
user, I might not send you back a card. However, I also might not take the
time and trouble to figure out whether you are an LoTW user and would just
throw a card for you in the buro pile!

You are certainly correct that LoTW-confirmed QSLs could be used to generate
authenticated QSL cards with images, etc.

73, Dick WC1M

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chuck [mailto:k3ft at erols.com] 
> Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 7:24 PM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] LoTW question
> 
> 
> Greetings!
> 
> LoTW sounds quite good and I'm giving serious thought to 
> uploading contest logs that I generate from K3FT.
> 
> K1VU asked ONE question that I've been seeking an answer for 
> - and as of yet haven't found one. Perhaps ARRL is waiting 
> till LoTW launch is fully successful and operational with 
> lots of Q's before they announce that part of the information.
> 
> 
> I have a more specific question. Since many folks will use 
> LoTW in lieu of QSL'ing with 'the old fashioned loveable 
> "pasteboard" card... WILL this make it MORE difficult for 
> folks like me who PREFER the 'good old fashioned cardboard 
> QSL via snail-mail to get one?
> 
> In other words.. NOW, if you are an active station and you 
> get QSL's via regular mail from someone who also uploaded 
> logs (and obviated the need to exchange the card) and for 
> which you don't really NEED a card (like WHO REALLY needs a 
> K3 from MD, if you are ACTIVE?? ;-) and I send you one in the 
> mail.. do you believe that this would REDUCE my chances of 
> getting a return card?  I tend to use SASE's as a rule so 
> that's not a cost question on the other station.
> 
> The 2nd part of the question is this... Is a DX station who 
> would normally use 'the burro' more likely than not to QSL if 
> he knows that the other station also uses LoTW?
> 
> My personal preference is that I LIKE the old fashioned way. 
> It is a tangible item, it makes for a great conversation 
> piece and there is just 'SOMETHING' about being able to pull 
> out a pile of cards (or one card) and enjoy the trip down 
> memory lane.  You know what I mean.
> 
> I'm NOT trying to begin a large thread on this.. but it's 
> something that has been niggling at my mind for some time.  
> Ancillary to that is this part. If LoTW (and other aspects of 
> electronic QSO logging/storing on remote systems takes a good 
> strong hold, how soon before we see (electronically
> authenticated) QSL's that are displayed and available for me 
> to print out on the printer without any thing being sent 
> through the mail?
> 
> I'm NOT against that - I'm NO Luddite as evidenced by the 
> fact I sent this via Internet and my PC. :-)
> 
> It gets back to the intangible 'SOMETHING' that comes from 
> having a card that someone filled out, mailed, and was sent to me..
> 
> Dunno.. Am I looking at this from an 'old fashioned, I'm 
> afraid of the new stuff' perspective OR am I suffering 
> withdrawal pains at the thought of not being able to do 
> things the good old-fashioned comfortable way?
> 
> 73
> 
> Chuck K3FT
> 
> 
>