Finally! DXCC 15 Meters

Finally received the last needed eQSL on LoTW for DXCC on 15 Meters. The ARRL processed it right away and I received the certificate in the mail about a week later. LoTW really makes it easy and a lot less expensive to earn operating awards.

So now I move on to the 20 meter band and also DXCC on CW only. I am about 12 QSLs away from the awards for both CW and just the 20 meter band.

Simple 100 watt transceiver and a vertical antenna is all I use.

BTW, I got a QSL for South Sudan the other day with this modest set-up.
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Just one more country!!!!

Worked some new countries this weekend on CW. Concentrated on 15M so I could maybe get DXCC 15 Meters. Well as of this morning, I got four new countries verified on LoTW which brings my total to 99! Ahhh, come on, just one more!
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Are DX Stations using paper QSLs to generate income?

I am still amazed that after a number of years of successful operation that more DX stations are not using LoTW. In spite of some complaints, it is easy to install and use. Many logging programs now support LoTW so you can easily and quickly upload QSOs from the logging program as the logging programs handle all the intermediary steps.

One example that I use the the logbook program within Ham Radio Deluxe. After I complete a contact, I upload the contact or during contests, I can submit groups of contacts.

It is easy and you only have to pay a nominal fee if and when you request an award like DXCC.

So I wonder if the real reason DX stations are not using it is because they like to get your paper QSL along with a few dollars. Then they can keep the money, and send a card back to you via the bureau. I hope this is not happening, but my fear is that’s why so many are still not using the ARRL LoTW.

Paper QSLs are nice, colorful and cool to receive, for awards LoTW is the least expensive, quick and easiest way to get QSL confirmations.

It’s the 21st Century people, time to change.
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DXCC on 10 Meters

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!

Great St. Patrick’s Day present. When I got up this morning I checked LoTW and low and behold, I finally got the 100th electronic QSL to give me the needed magic 100 countries for DXCC on 10 Meters.

I immediately submitted the award application. LoTW make is so incredibly easy and fast and no messing around with sending paper QSL cards.

The next DXCC awards I will be working on are 15 Meters only (13 QSLs to go) followed by 20 Meters only and CW only.

That should keep me busy for awhile.

BTW, these awards are all worked with simple antennas (mostly vertical and a few with a tri-band trap dipole installed in the garage attic) and power at 100 watts or less. Nothing fancy is required, just a lot of patience.
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Here it is! My newest DXCC Award

Received my DXCC All-Phone contacts award a few weeks ago from the ARRL and took it to the framing store to have it framed. Got it back yesterday. The local store does such a great job with the framing.

DXCC_Phone

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Second DXCC Award

Just received my certificate for DXCC - Phone. The first DXCC award I received was for mixed contacts back in 2003. This award was for all phone contacts. The next closest award I am close to is DXCC on 10 meters (still need 20 confirmed contacts) and all Digital (still need about 45 confirmed contacts). One thing for sure is that the paper the award comes on now is rather flimsy. The first award from eight years ago had much heavier paper stock.
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