A DXBase subscriber asked me some questions about LoTW. I'm answering to the reflector also and hope this explains to those who have similar questions. Hopefully I get it all right.
Bob I've been testing LoTW since the beginning of the beta testing. So there is the usual moral confidentiality issue. But I can repeat what they have already released. the plan is this If you download the NEW DXCC submittal form from DXCC, you will see a box on the upper left that says: "Credit LoTW QSLS" When you submit cards, the DXCC card checker will search for any LoTW QSL's you received that are as yet unaccredited. You will be charged a sliding figure dependent on the number of qsl's. If you have only 1, a amount of $0.25 has been mentioned. Many LoTW qsls will take almost the same time as 1 so they are setting up a sliding scale. Then the checker will add credit for the cards you submitted that aren't duplicate band/modes for previous submissions including these latest LoTW submissions. The rest of the process will be as it always has been. I eliminate the money issue by paying with my credit card. While I know how many LoTW qsl's I have at this moment, additional credit could arrive between the time I mail my submission and the card checker starts to enter them. I just received information yesterday that in addition to these awards crediting, the system will also allow us to view our entire DXCC and other Award history seeing what we have credit for in all entities, all bands, all modes. Our entire submission credit history will be viewable (to us only, not others obviously) via the internet. So if you missed marking a qsl card years ago but it was submitted and credited, you will see you do not have to submit one for that entity/band/mode. This information is not restricted and you may repeat it. It is very early and I haven't finished my first tankard of coffee but I think I have everything correct. Forgive me if I misstated or reversed some issue. Good luck, take advantage of LoTW, save money, time, and it is a sort of geeky fun to look and see who joined LoTW in the past few days. Even a blind wino like me was able to do it.. Now a funny (at least to me) aside. I do not know the start date for the new features. The DXCC Honor Roll date is fast approaching. So... I sent off the accumulated cards that I wished to submit and used the downloaded form. I marked the "use LoTW qsls" box. If they implement before the card checker gets to my submission which is in the 'to do' stack, I may be able to get those extra LoTW Qsl, that I've not been able to obtain hard cards for. And if I didn't time it right, well they will just sit in the computer till my next submission.
