[RTTY] CQ to accept eQSL for Awards..

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> I needn't have to remind you that the LoTW requirement for a 
> copy of an identity document applies to >>non-U.S.<< licensees. 
> What the FCC does is irrelevant.

That's correct with respect to Logbook of the World (and one 
reason ARRL does not require a license copy from US licensees). 
However it is entirely on point with regard to the integrity 
of eQSL.  Quite simply, I can print to pdf from the web any 
US license, set up a bogus account on eQSL.cc and e-mail 
the pdf from a hotmail, gmail, etc free web account and 
become "AG" for any call I would like.  

With no restriction to "prove identity," eQSL is no more secure 
than e-mailed PDF cards.  BTW, LotW "proves identity" for US 
licensees my mailing the post card to the address in the FCC 
database.  To game that system an individual would need to 
commit fraud with the FCC.  Security for US amateurs with LotW 
is actually more stringent than for those in any other country. 

> I challenge you to demonstrate how little a copy of a license 
> document proves by supplying us with a photocopy/scan of 
> ANY non-U.S. license of which you are not the licensee Joe.  

All I need is a copy of a legitimate license for the country 
in question.  Document/graphical editing tools are quite 
sophisticated modifying a legitimate license is not very 
difficult but I have no reason to obtain the materials with 
which to create phantom foreign licenses to game LotW.
 
> But in the ID-theft aware environment we live today, even I 
> would have to think twice about sending the League the equivalent 
> of my SS number or driver's license number for no good reason.

If foreign governments had a database equivalent to the FCC 
license database available to the public, I would bet that 
the ARRL would use it to make registration of non-US users 
easier.  I do not know of any such government run system.  

Requiring a copy of a government issued ID is as good a form 
of fraud prevention as is available unless you can get IARU 
member societies to register users by checking IDs in person. 

In any case, none of the arguments over LotW procedures address 
the documented flaws and fraud in eQSL ... nor does it address 
the refusal of the operators of eQSL to terminate users known 
to be committing fraud on a regular and repeated basis.  Their 
failure to take action to maintain the integrity of eQSL makes 
eQSL "QSLs" worthless and makes a mockery of those awards that 
accept such questionable "confirmations." 

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 
 


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Keane K1MK [mailto:k1mk at alum.mit.edu] 
> Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 7:39 PM
> To: lists at subich.com
> Cc: 'Andy GD0TEP'; 'Jim W7RY'; 'RTTY Reflector'
> Subject: Re: [RTTY] CQ to accept eQSL for Awards..
> 
> 
> This is the RTTY Reflector and not the LoTW reflector so thee are my 
> last words on the subject...
> 
> On 1/14/2009 2:23 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
> > I can generate a photocopy of ANY US license from
>  > the FCC web site
> 
> I needn't have to remind you that the LoTW requirement for a 
> copy of an 
> identity document applies to >>non-U.S.<< licensees. What the 
> FCC does 
> is irrelevant.
> 
> So, what other country's telecommunications agency does 
> anything similar 
> to what the FCC does? I challenge you to demonstrate how 
> little a copy 
> of a license document proves by supplying us with a photocopy/scan of 
> ANY non-U.S. license of which you are not the licensee Joe. If you 
> could, perhaps you'd be making a valid point here. Otherwise 
> you're just 
> throwing us yet another red herring.
> 
> > The second step - an identity document - is a minimally
>  > intrusive way to show that the applicant is the person
>  > they are represented to be.
> 
> How does a photocopy of an identity document show in any way that a 
> person is who they represent themselves to be any more than does a 
> photocopy of a license document? It is not like someone is actually 
> comparing the applicant with his/her photo-ID.
> 
> The only value to authentication value in requiring a second 
> photocopied 
> document be supplied is that it would require a potential 
> forger to fake 
> two kins of documents copies rather than just one.
> 
> I love the ARRL. But in the ID-theft aware environment we live today, 
> even I would have to think twice about sending the League the 
> equivalent 
> of my SS number or driver's license number for no good reason.
> 
> 73,
> Mike K1MK
>