ARRL Logbook of the World
http://www.arrl.org/lotw/
FAQ home
NOTICE: If, when uploading your QSOs, you suddenty
receive an error about invalid QSO dates, check to make sure that your ARRL
certificate has not expired!
Here is an overview of how LOGic's LoTW interface works, and
some troubleshooting tips.
Virtually all problems that customers experience with using
LOGic's LoTW features are related to improper setup of the LoTW certificates and
software. In this article, we will learn how LoTW works, and how to test the
installation of the LoTW software and certificates.
How LoTW works
First, it is necessary to understand what LoTW is and how it
works, irrespective of LOGic.
All ham operators are encouraged to upload their
logs LoTW. Suppose you work another station, and you both upload your
logs. The LoTW software at the ARRL will find a match, and both of you may
claim credit for the QSO towards DXCC or WAS (other awards may be added in the
future).
While conceptually simple, the process is complicated by the
integrity built into the system -- the system makes sure that you are who you
say that you are. This requires obtaining a digital certificate from the
ARRL, and then applying the certificate to the QSOs that you upload. This
process is referred to as "signing your QSOs".
Before participating in the LoTW program, you must obtain
your certificate from the ARRL, and install the ARRL's TQSL software (TQSL
stands for Trusted QSL). You must do this whether you are using LOGic or
not. It is an integral part of the LoTW system, and it will not work
without it. You must also set up the TQSL software -- tell it about your
certificate, and define station locations. See the
ARRL LoTW site for more info.
Here is how you would send your QSOs to LoTW if you did not
use LOGic. It is good to understand this process if you run into problems
with LOGic's LoTW upload.
Any logbook software capable of creating an ADIF file
can participate in LoTW. ADIF stands for Amateur Data Interchange Format, a
simple yet flexible format that allows data exchange among different amateur
radio programs. It was co-developed by our own Dennis Hevener, WN4AZY, and Ray
OrtGiesen, WF1B. It is now used by practically every piece of ham radio software
that deals with log data. It is typically used to move data from one
logging program to another, but is also used by Logbook of The World, eQSL,
and GlobalQSL.
So, we begin by exporting our QSOs to an ADIF file, and
saving it to a place on your hard disk where you can later find it. You
typically do not want to upload your whole log every time -- to save time and
lighten the load on the ARRL server, it is recommended that you just upload the
QSOs that you have not previously uploaded. However, uploading the same
QSO again does not hurt anything -- this will not result in duplicate QSOs in
the LoTW database.
After you make the ADIF file, run the ARRL's TQSL software.
Open the ADIF file you made with your logger, and process it. The results
is a digitally-signed log file with a .TQ8 extension. Save this to somewhere
where you can find it again!
Now log into the ARRL LoTW site, and upload the .TQ8 file.
LOGic automates the above procedure. Simply click the Export
and Upload QSOs to LoTW option in LOGic's QSLing menu. See the LoTW
Chapter in the LOGic manual.
LOGic keeps track of which QSOs have already been uploaded to
LoTW, and exports only QSOs that have not previously been uploaded. (It does
this by using the LoTW Sent field of the log). There are other options, however.
An Options form appears that permits you to limit the upload to QSOs make by a
certain operator, or upload all QSOs regardless of the LoTW Sent field.
After choosing your options (the defaults works in the majority of cases),
LOGic exports to a temporary ADIF file. (This file t is located in the logic8\tmp.
folder. however, It is not necessary for the user to know this). The ADIF file appears in a preview window.
When you close this preview window, LOGic runs the ARRL's TQSL software. This is not part of LOGic per se. LOGic is just running the ARRL TQSL software for you. The TQSL software asks for a station location, then proceeds to process the ADIF file.
If you have a QSO with a bad date, invalid call, or something like that, you will get an error. You should choose the option to continue. ARRL will simply ignore the bad
QSO(s).
After processing by the TQSL software is complete, it exits,
and LOGic takes over. It uploads the resulting TQ8 file for you
automatically.
If LOGic fails to upload your QSOs properly, we
recommend going thru the process manually. This will reveal the step in which
problems are occurring. If you cannot manually process and upload your
log, LOGic will not work either! You must have a valid NON-EXPIRED
certificate, the TQSL software must be installed and working, and the LoTW web
site must be up and working. You must have the correct user and password to log
into the LoTW web site.
Testing your LoTW installation by manually uploading some
QSOs
In summary, here is how to manually use LoTW. Make an ADIF file with LOGic's tools/export. Save it somewhere were you can find it. Then run the ARRL TQSL program and select your ADIF file.
Save the resulting .TQ8 file where you can find it. Log into the LoTW site and
upload the TQ8 file.
Assuming that LOGic can access the internet, the LoTW server
is up (it rarely is down!), the problem usually lies with the TQSL software or
your certificate, not LOGic. If you cannot manually process and upload a log,
you must fix that problem before LOGic will work. Make sure you have the correct
passwords, and that your certificate and TQSL software is installed. Contact the
ARRL for assistance if necesssary.
Troubleshooting LOGic
If the manual process works, but LOGic does not, do not
contact the ARRL. They will not be able help you. Follow these
troubleshooting steps to resolve the problem with LOGic.
The most common problem with LOGic is that the user has
"internet protection" software that is preventing LOGic from accessing
the internet. Another problem that we see occasionally is a problem with the
Microsoft Internet Explorer installation. A good test is to click the Open LoTW
Site in Browser button. This will also test that your user and password
are correct. Internet Explorer should open and log you into the LoTW
site. If some other browser opens, or more than one window opens, you have
an internet explorer problem.
If you cannot get LOGic to log into the ARRL site, it is a
simple matter to manually upload the TQ8 file. After LOGic processes your QSOs
with the TQSL software, then LOGic fails to open the LoTW site, log into the
LoTW site manually. It is currently at https://p1k.arrl.org/lotwuser/default
Then upload your TQ8 file. It is located on your hard disk, in the TMP
folder, located inside your LOGic 8 folder.
Problems downloading
Usually, problems are encountered when uploading QSOs. If
LOGic will not import LoTW QSLs, here are some things to check. Usually, the
problem is "internet protection" software not giving LOGic access to the
internet.
Make sure that your login credentials are correct by clicking
the Open LoTW Site in Browser button. This will also test that your user
and password are correct. Internet Explorer should open and log you into
the LoTW
site. If some other browser opens, or more than one window opens, you have
an internet explorer problem.
If this succeeds, proceed to use the browser window
that LOGic opened to manually download your QSLs. It is an ADIF file. Save
it to a location where you can find it. Click the Import LoTW ADIF File
from Disk button, and attempt to import your QSOs. If you encounter
problems, look at the ADIF file in Notepad to see if it looks OK -- that it has
QSOs, etc.
©
15-Oct-08 10:46
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