Members at November’s club meeting will recall how we discussed the problems that ARRL’s Logbook of The World was having related to lost electronic log uploads and extended processing delays as well as a lack of ‘customer feedback’ and transparency. It appears that the problems have gotten the attention of HQ ‘higher ups’ resulting in a recent LoTW update letter on the ARRL website directly from CEO Dave Sumner K1ZZ.
His initial letter around the beginning of December acknowledged some of the difficulties LoTW was having and provided some info as to when initial repairs would be complete, allowing logs to again be processed. Logs *are* again being processed as of December 3 but the delay to get your log processed has grown to 9+ days presently! Plans are in for hardware upgrades to be implemented within 8 weeks.
ARRL has now provided a new web link with *daily* updated LoTW info. Details on that AND the newly created LoTW *hourly* log processing Queue update page can be found here: http://www.arrl.org/news/logbook-of-the-world-web-page-now-features-daily-and-hourly-status-updates
The specific newly-created Logbook Queue Status page link is here: http://www.arrl.org/logbook-queue-status
The November LoTW shutdowns has caused the many major Fall contest log files to accumulate or be re-sent by users unsure if LoTW ever rcvd/processed their file(s) thereby causing additional back-up/delays.
For those using LoTW… 1) First ensure you know/have documented the exact date/time (UTC) that you uploaded your log or logs to LoTW. 2) You can then check the Queue Status Page as to how long it will be until your log is actually processed (presently over 9 days). Caution: DO NOT re-send logs until you KNOW the log processing time has been exceeded AND that you have double checked your upload times (Zulu not local) AND (*important*) verified whether or not your own LoTW account status page shows the log as processed. Questions can be e-mailed to the LoTW ‘help-desk’ as well.
My Sweepstakes logs and my general DX log file (Nov. QSOs) were uploaded late Dec 3 to LoTW and were all processed mid-day today so the system is slowly chugging along. (Nice to see multiple QSOs from NH8S & PT0S show up). Many many big contest logs still to go (CQWW DX CW, ARRL 160m, & ARRL 10m) but the lack of major events now through Jan 1 should help the processing rate significantly…although many folks will be forwarding end-of-year DX logs as well.
Those wanting to wade deeper into the weeds on this can try checking out the LoTW Yahoo discussion group! Weblink here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ARRL-LOTW/
Bill W1WBB
