[VHFcontesting] Logs for W2SZ/1 now on LoTW

[Ed Parish K1EP]

I have recently uploaded the logs for the last 15 years of W2SZ/1 
operations for June, August, and September VHF/UHF contests.  From 
the over 77,000 QSOs submitted, there are about 2100 QSLs.   Compared 
to my personal (mostly HF) LoTW statistics, the hit rate is low.  I 
attribute that to several things.  I think very few VHF operators and 
contesters load their logs to LoTW.   The only awards currently 
available via LoTW are WAS and DXCC.  (Curiously, we do have 45 
states and 5 countries confirmed via LoTW.)  VUCC is not supported at 
this time through LoTW.

Another area of concern that I have is the nature of computer QSO 
matching.  LoTW must have an exact match of many variables in order 
to issue a QSL for a QSO.  Callsign and mode are two of those 
variables that I have issues with.  With respect to callsign, I 
perceive some issues.  Unfortunately, we don't always log a rover as 
/R in the log.  Sometimes it is our fault, we are lazy or just our 
rate is high and we don't log it.  Sometimes the station doesn't 
identify themselves as a rover and we don't realize it until maybe 
the next time we have a QSO or maybe never at all.  Maybe the other 
station doesn't submit their log as callsign/R and we do have /R in 
the log.  In any of these cases, an exact match will not take place 
and LoTW will not create a QSL.  Our log is also submitted as W2SZ 
and not as W2SZ/1.  If you have /1 in your logs, there won't be an 
exact match.  That is something I can take care of and will 
shortly.  I will create another entry for us as W2SZ/1 and submit the 
entire log a second time in order to avoid that inconvenience on 
everyone else's part.  The other thing that will come up will be 
mode.  Our logs sometimes show a voice contact as PHone and doesn't 
always distinguish between SSB and FM.  At times we have mixed mode 
contacts, one log may show CW while the other log shows 
phone.  Again, LoTW will not show those as matches.  I really don't 
know what to do in those situations and other pure log entry error 
situations, other than to submit all the logs multiple times with 
different modes for all QSOs.  If anyone who has submitted their logs 
to LoTW, expects a QSL and hasn't received one, feel free to email me 
direct.  If there are other suggestions as to how to make this 
process a little smoother or deal with the above situations, feel 
free to discuss it here.