[CQ-Contest] LotW - Needs More Participation

[Joe Subich, K4IK]

> Is there such a requirement? I thought they ask me to sent 
> hard copy of ID and license - nothing else. Means I can do 
> it while I am in the US or Africa.

True ... and the FAQs don't even specify a photo ID although 
most governments now issue photo based ID documents.  

   "Every non-USA operator requesting an initial, unsigned 
    certificate for Logbook of the World must send a copy of 
    his/her Amateur Radio operating authorization in addition 
    to a copy of one other government-issued document indicating 
    his/her identity." 

BTW, in case you're concerned about misuse of the ID the FAQs 
also say: 

   "Identity documents will be destroyed after certificates are 
    successfully issued."  

>  Besides, my license is already on  eqsl.cc

Only an unverified scan and only visible to you and eQSL staff.  

> I thought the whole idea is to avoide using post office in the
> beginning of the 21st century whenever possible.

You are ... one time vs. hundreds or thousands of times for 
paper QSLs.  Thus for the cost of sending ONE QSL you have 
relieved yourself of that cost for the future. 

> I refuse sending it even once. Too much hassle.

How is it any more of a hassle than sending cards? 

If you would take time to read the all of the FAQs, 
you would understand there are two ways to determine 
identity and make certain that the certificate gets 
into the right hands.  

In the US it relies on mailing the postcard to the 
licensee's address of record.  This is relatively 
secure and not likely to be tampered with.  

Unfortunately in much of rest of the world the  
incoming mail is much more likely to be pilfered or 
delayed, so the user is asked to provide the ID and 
printout of the matching digital signature on the 
front end of the process.  The certificate is returned 
by e-mail.  That certainly seems far from an imposition 
... and I'm honestly surprised that the same process 
isn't used in the US as it is for non-US licensees. 

73, 

   ... Joe, K4IK