[CQ-Contest] LoTW applications

[Michael Adams]

"Simple" has multiple definitions.

It's a "simple" process in that the steps involved are fairly straightforward.

It's not a "simple" process in that there are multiple steps required, and some of those steps involve dead trees and international post, as part of an effort to give support that the applicant is more-or-less where he says he is.

Perhaps someone in Newington monitoring this reflector might consider whether it's time to ask a volunteer to write iOS and Android apps that would let an international LOTW applicant take pictures of the required information, attach a geocode, and submit it electronically.

There would still be people who grumped about the hurdles set out in the name of security/award program integrity, but the era of dead trees is coming to an end, as seen by the increasing demand for electronic QSLing.

(Just let me get paper cards from another 100 or so entities before paper QSLing dies completely away!)

-- 
Michael Adams | N1EN | mda at n1en.org

-----Original Message de AB1J-----

So here you go for non-U.S. stations (this is a restatement of what is said
 above):
 
1. The applicant initiates registration through a computer log  program, which creates the digital signature keys that will be used for signing  QSL records.
 
2. Next, the operator (or logging program) sends a registration  request to the Logbook Registration Server via the Internet, and the server  generates a certificate. 
 
3. The applicant then sends a photocopy of his or her radio license  to ARRL HQ, 
 
4. and an official identification document (a photocopy?) to ARRL  HQ,
 
5. and a printout of certain digital signature key information  to ARRL HQ all via postal mail. 
 
6. When the documentation is received, an operator at ARRL HQ  examines it and activates the certificate. 
 
7. The certificate is then sent to the applicant via the  Internet.
 
Guess simple is a relative term.
 
73,
Ken,  AB1J