[TowerTalk] ARRL and LOTW

[RICHARD BOYD]

Unless I misunderstood, ARRL has announced they -will- charge for LOTW credits, though the fee will be nominal, they say.
Maybe I should go back and read the transcript of N7NG's LOTW discussion at Dayton -- available by e-mail for $2 from 
Rich Boyd, 18601 Queen Anne Bridge Road, Mitchellville, MD  20716.

I do have a financial interest in this product.  73 - Rich, KE3Q
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: ted demopoulos 
  To: CGooden at insightbb.com ; k4oj at tampabay.rr.com 
  Cc: towertalk at contesting.com 
  Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 10:29 AM
  Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ARRL and LOTW


  Well, the ARRL is controlling LOTW just like I control my antenna farm - I 
  built it and its mine. They built LOTW, its theirs. Ahhh, make that ours - 
  the members - and I fully expect that we will benefit. And just as a rising 
  tide lifts all ships, it will help non-menbers as well that care to use it 
  (which will be free, most likely forever).

  I have a few guests who operate my station and use my antenna farm, and 
  although perhaps abstractly it makes some sense I charge them some hourly, 
  contest, or QSO fee, of course I don't and never will. Instead I feed them 
  and make endless coffee . . .

  I severely doubt the ARRL will EVER charge end users for LOTW - it just was 
  never part of the game plan. Unless I'm part of a big conspiracy too :)
  Now charging CQ, or RSGB, or anyone else who wants to use LOTW for their 
  award program - that would certainly be acceptable and proper, and expected. 
  And also I expect that LOTW will eventually reduce the ARRLs operating 
  expenses as well, and perhaps even increase award revenue (although I'm 
  pretty sure the ARRL doesn't make any money on QSL bureaus, Awards, etc, it 
  would be fine with me if they did).
  >
  >I believe one of the major reasons they will not accept an E-QSL or another
  >eletronic QSL is because they want the control and the profit that goes 
  >with it.  They
  >may not be charging initially but they will in time.
  >
  Sorry, but this is just silly. No offense intended.

  73
  Ted KT1V

  >From: "Chuck Gooden" <CGooden at insightbb.com>
  >To: "Jim White, K4OJ" <k4oj at tampabay.rr.com>
  >CC: Tower Talk <towertalk at contesting.com>
  >Subject: [TowerTalk] ARRL and LOTW
  >Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2003 23:43:42 -0500
  >
  >
  >
  >On 13 Aug 2003 at 22:31, Jim White, K4OJ wrote:
  >
  > > To tell you the truth I cannot wait for the bugs to get ironed out of
  > > LOTW... I REALLY hate all the expenses associated with QSLing.
  > >
  >
  >Jim,
  >
  >The ARRL is controlling LOTW and I firmly believe they will start to charge 
  >for the
  >use of it just like the charge for the QSL buro, and any awards.
  >
  >I believe this is more so the case as I look at the aging ham population.  
  >If you send
  >green stamp(s), or IRC's, now, why wouldn't you spend 50 cents to a $1.00 
  >for a
  >contact in LOTW.
  >
  >I believe one of the major reasons they will not accept an E-QSL or another
  >eletronic QSL is because they want the control and the profit that goes 
  >with it.  They
  >may not be charging initially but they will in time.
  >
  >
  >73's
  >_______________________________________________
  >
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  >questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
  >
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  See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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