LoTW Question

[W4PG]

I have never found a good explanation of the different messages in LoTW under the DXCC column. For instance, a DX entity might show "Mixed; Phone; 20M; Challenge" under the DXCC column. What does all that mean??

I know what "mixed" DXCC, etc, means when applying for DXCC, but exactly what does LoTW use these terms for?? What the heck is "challenge?"

Additionally, there is a column just to the left of DXCC that has no label, but contains either a big black check mark, or an open box that I can click on and a check mark will appear in it. What does the big black check mark mean?? What happens if I click on the open box and place a check in it?

I can't find anywhere on the LoTW web site where these issues are discussed and explained.

I've long since worked most all the DX one can work, but am now trying to do it once again using LoTW for fun, but can't find a clear explanation of these issues anywhere.

eh??

............Bob

[N2RJ]

It simply means which confirmations (QSL records) the system has automatically applied to pending DXCC records (i.e. entities/bands/modes confirmed) on your DXCC account.

There are different DXCC awards and endorsements. You can get DXCC mono band DXCC and also get 5 band DXCC (100 each on 80,40,20,15,10). You can also get DXCC on phone, DXCC on CW, DXCC on RTTY (includes BPSK31 and other similar modes).

Challenge on DXCC is when you have worked minimum 1000 band entities.

A band entity is an instance of working a DXCC entity on a band. (Eg. if I work Italy on 20m and work Italy on 40m I have worked two band entities. If I have worked Italy on 20m and Spain on 20m those are two entities but also two band entities. If I work Italy and Spain both on both 20 and 40 I have worked 4 band entities etc.)

Everything you need to know is listed here:

http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/

HTH

[W4PG]

Thanks, Ryan. I understand the DXCC rules for awards, but I'm still "challenged" when it comes to LoTW.

For instance, I've worked HC8A (like everyone else in the world) many times. I notice that when I check my stats on LoTW, there is a big black check mark beside the entry for HC8A on 80 meters SSB and under DXCC it lists "80m; Challenge; Phone" There is a big black check mark just to the left of those entries in the column that doesn't have a title.

Ok, that's cool.

I also have an entry for 15 meters SSB. Same mode, same station, different band.

However, the 15 meter entry for HC8A under DXCC says "Mixed; phone; 15m; challenge" There *IS* no big black check mark, but an open box that I *can* put a check in if I want to, but I have no idea what that does. Nor do I know why the 80 meter entry has a big black check mark and the 15 meter one doesn't.

Did I mention that I have *another* 15 meter entry for HC8A, a different QSO, but also has the exact same entry under "DXCC?"

So I'm still confused.

1) What exactly does the big black check mark mean?
2) What exactly happens when I put a check in the open box that appears on some entries where the big black check mark appears on others?
3) WHY do big black check marks appear on some entries but open boxes appear on others (where I can click and put check marks in the boxes if I want)?

I still cannot find *anything* on the ARRL web site that explains this.

..........Bob

[K7MH]

I remember seeing the page or form with the black check marks in the past but now I can't find it to save my life! What did you click on to get to it??

[K2DSL]

The black check marks indicate which contact would be used for one of the various awards. The first (earliest confirmed QSL in LoTW) for each award is what shows the black check mark. If there's a checkmark next to an entry, the column to the right of the checkmark lists which awards are using that contact. If there's no black check mark, it lists all the possible award it could have been applied to, but since you have an earlier confirmation already, none of them are applicable to this confirmation.

For K7MH - to see the check marks, go to https://p1k.arrl.org/lotwuser/qsos (log in if needed) and at the bottom, select either DXCC or WAS from the drop-down at the bottom of the form labeled Award Account. Then on the right are 3 buttons. Press the button labeled Most Recent QSLs. That should show confirmed contacts with any DXCC award info in the rightmost column, and check marks for those that are associated with any award you might be able to apply for.

Hope that helps, but if not, fire away and I'll try to explain it differently.

73,
K2DSL - David

[N2RJ]

1) What exactly does the big black check mark mean?

It means that the system has applied that particular QSL record to the particular award and band/mode designator.

2) What exactly happens when I put a check in the open box that appears on some entries where the big black check mark appears on others?

It means that you will use that particular QSL record instead of the one that the system automatically chose for others.

3) WHY do big black check marks appear on some entries but open boxes appear on others (where I can click and put check marks in the boxes if I want)?

Because the system chooses the first instance of the band/mode/entity (or any of the above) confirmed that you don't have already automatically and puts it in your "pending" queue. Those with the black check marks will automatically appear on your application (which you can also do from LoTW) when next you apply for an award and/or endorsement.

I still cannot find *anything* on the ARRL web site that explains this.

..........Bob

I haven't either. I've seen this from experience.

[K7MH]

A lot of questions can be answered in the LOTW users group as well.