Getting Started
Colin Redwood G6MXL looks at eQSL and compares it with Logbook of the World. He also recommends a downloadable book to help those struggling with the maths for the Full Licence.
Acouple of months ago, I looked at Logbook of the World (LoTW) and described various techniques for producing adi log files to upload your contacts. At the time, I suggested readers kept their adi log files so that they could be used elsewhere. This month I am looking at one of the other uses of adi format log files − uploading them to eQSL.
eQSL has similarities to LoTW, but there are some notable differences. Like LoTW, eQSL is based around stations uploading their logs to a central server and automated routines identifying matching contacts and marking them as virtual QSLs, Fig. 1. Unlike LoTW, eQSL also includes a facility for stations to produce hardcopy eQSL cards from their matched contacts, and also delete contacts once uploaded. eQSL also incorporates a number of awards that registered users can apply for.
eQSL Awards
Unlike LoTW, eQSL has a built-in range of awards that members with Bronze or higher levels of membership can apply for, Table 1. Many can be earned in increments of 25 or 50 confirmed contacts, making it easier to meet the requirements of some of the initial awards compared with many other award schemes. This may be particularly attractive to newcomers. In many cases it is possible to have the award endorsed for a particular band or mode.
Besides having at least a Bronze level membership to participate in the award schemes, you’ll also need Authenticity Guaranteed (AG) status (see below). Unlike awards issued by national societies such as the RSGB and ARRL, there is no charge for eQSL awards. Usually within an hour or so of claiming the award, a certificate is available to download and print at your leisure.
Authenticity Guaranteed
Authenticity Guaranteed (AG) is the way that eQSL certifies that they believe that any eQSLs bearing your callsign were in fact posted by the authorised licensee of that callsign. Authenticity Guaranteed (AG) can be obtained if you are already registered with the ARRL’s Logbook of The World (LoTW). Alternatively, AG status can be obtained by scanning your licence document and uploading it. Within a few hours I had an e-mail confirming my AG status. The vast majority of my matching contacts on eQSL are from AG status stations. To my mind
Africa Antarctica Asia Australia Canada DX (countries) DX100 echolink Europe
From (Mainland France & overseas dependencies) Grid (locators)
Japan N America New Zealand Oceania Prefixes S America Satellite UK Continents Continents − Honors US States CQ Zones
there seems little point in signing up for eQSL without also applying for AG status.
Drawbacks
Unlike with LoTW, eQSL works on an honour basis unless you have AG status. Consequently, eQSL cards are not accepted for awards from most national societies such as the RSGB and the ARRL. The German National Society (DARC) is a notable exception, while the Australian National Society only accepts eQSL from those with Authenticity Guaranteed status.
Portable Operation
eQSL allows the creation of additional linked accounts for operations made using a different callsign such as operating from portable sites.
If you are a keen Worked All Britain (WAB), Summits on the Air (SOTA) or other ‘away from home’ award scheme operator who activates more than one location on the same day, there is a significant problem with eQSL. Every time you operate from a different location (even one that you have used previously), then you need to design a new eQSL card if you want the relevant details of the operation to appear on the QSL card. Changes to location are based on date. While tedious, this does work with the exception of the situation where you activate multiple locations on the same day. In this case you’d find it impossible to produce an eQSL card that shows the correct location activated. Having said that, the WAB and SOTA award schemes don’t require proof of contact (unlike RSGB locator-based awards), so for many amateurs it won’t be a deal-breaker.
Conclusion
Overall, I have mixed feelings on eQSL. At the very least it provides a useful way of knowing that some contacts are in another station’s log. This could save time and postage requesting a normal QSL card direct or via the QSL Bureau. If you like chasing awards, then for a small ‘donation’ each year, you can participate in the eQSL award schemes.
Comparison
Over the years I’ve uploaded the same logs to both eQSL and LoTW. I was therefore interested to compare the number of DXCC entities confirmed by the two systems. In early November 2020 I had 94 countries confirmed in eQSL, compared with 118 entities in LoTW. While there may be small differences between eQSL’s definition of a country and the ARRL definition of a DXCC entity (used in LoTW), I really don’t think these differences can go anywhere close to fully explaining the difference.
I think it shows that keen DXers worldwide tend to use LoTW as their prime way of confirming contacts for award chasing purposes. Regardless of whether you prefer eQSL or LoTW, I think it is a good idea and in the amateur spirit of co-operation to upload your logs to both, so that other amateurs can apply for the awards offered by eQSL and facilitated by LoTW.
Maths for the Full Licence
I know that for some amateurs studying for their Full Licence, the maths can be a real challenge. Keith Williams GW4OKT has produced a well-illustrated 60-page book that can be downloaded from the Chester and District Amateur Radio Society’s website.
Keith has many years of experience of teaching radio amateurs at the Mold & District Radio Society. He is also one of the ‘online’ tutors for the Bath-based Distance Learning course. The book is really practical, taking candidates through each of the calculations step-by-step with a scientific calculator. https://tinyurl.com/y2r7v6b4
Antenna Maintenance
By the time you read this, we will be rapidly approaching Christmas. Much of the worst of the winter weather is still to come. After the storms of early autumn, you may wish to give your outside antennas a visual check to make sure that their supports are solid and connections are watertight, so that there are no nasty surprises during the long winter nights.