They were taking up way too much space and energy just sitting there in their pretty little files, all sorted by countries in order by prefix. Prefixes that keep on changing as the world changes.

There was a time when I chased DX and I used the cards to get my DX awards. The awards that now sit in a desk drawer somewhere; I don’t remember where. But since Kate and I are going through the house — all of the house — and getting rid of that which is no longer important, the awards will go out too.

That isn’t something that is derogatory to DXer’s, by the way. Chasing DX is a wonderful aspect to this hobby and one that consistently draws in new members to our fraternity. But I don’t chase DX anymore. I haven’t for years. And years.

That doesn’t mean I won’t answer QSL cards; I have plenty of those sitting on the shelf for direct cards and a nice account at Global QSL for the bureau cards.

But one of the practices we need to have in this hobby is to stop considering the past as present and retelling the stories of what happened 20-years ago (or a story from 50 years ago I was told yet again last night) like it was yesterday. And still relevant. Mostly, it isn’t relevant. We need to look forward to opportunities and not the past to cling to the status quo.

We’ve changed. The world has shifted under our feet and the past is no guarantee of future success. The hobby needs to change. It is time we got rid of all that dusty stuff that represents holding on to the past so we can build the future.

I started with my QSL cards.

Related posts:

1. How Long to Keep QSL Cards?
2. Bureau QSL Cards
3. Update on TI5 QSL Cards
4. TI QSL Cards Ordered
5. Update on VP9 QSL Cards

In an announcement, CQ Magazine is now stating they are accepting eQSL cards for their award program. That’s their choice.

What is interesting is that the announcement has stirred up the whole issue of what identification is needed to prove you are an authentic ham radio operator. And you are who you say you are.

The ARRL sponsored Logbook of The World program (and I participate in this program) requires US hams to get their access via the postal service. US hams submit their request with their call sign and the ARRL sends the confirmations needed to the FCC listed mailing address. If you are not current with the FCC database, your in trouble with the FCC and your confirmation won’t get sent to the right place.

The ARRL, for US hams, considers this proof that you are who you say you are.

For hams outside the US, both a copy of your amateur radio license and another form of government issued identification (passport, drivers license) must be mailed via the postal service to the ARRL.

While hams in the US may not think this is a big deal, sending two government issued documents through the postal service is, at best, risky. Personally, I’d be unwilling to send two valuable forms of government documents through the postal service in Russia, or China — or the US.

Identity theft is a rampant problem. The best way to prevent identity theft is to not offer government issued documents out to the world. Even though the ARRL says that it will destroy the documents once they issue the LoTW confirmations (and I believe them), the first rule is to not put temptation in front of someone in the first place. Or any place along the long postal service trail that these documents would travel — and opened.

I have no issues with the requirements for documenting a DXpedition — it is a choice the operators made to go there and they need to show they landed and operated so it is valid for the award (and most DXpeditions simply require a copy of the operating license — not proof that you are who you say you are).

But for simply submitting a log to an electronic database that will confirm contacts for a paper award?

What is personally interesting to me is how focused hams are on fraud in the hobby. That people will cheat to get a paper certificate they can hang on the wall. There is more regulation in ham radio for awards than there is for investment firms on Wall Street.

We’re a rules-based community and we’re always examining everything in relation to the rules and whether the rules can be violated or are being violated or you can cheat because the rules don’t cover every aspect of every thing we’re looking at.

I’m not saying the ARRL is incorrect in what they require for Logbook of The World. It’s their program and it is used for their convenience for their awards. But if participation is an issue, they should look at their requirements for submitting logs and see if government issued identification to prove you are who you are is limiting non-US hams from participating at a rate that would make the whole program better.

How much identification is enough for submitting logs to Logbook of The World?

Related posts:

1. 30 Ham Radio Contest Tips — Logbook of The World
2. 30 Ham Radio Contest Tips — Have a QSL system

Many hams are close to achieving this award right now – but the new award starts in January with everyone’s count being zero.

The commentary has centered around whether this is really an award or simply a promotion of LoTW.

I think it is both.

The award is challenging as it stands. Working all states in three different modes requires some versatility and patience. You can’t work every state in one contest because three modes are required.

The promotion of LoTW as the confirmation is also great. There is no manual handling of cards, confirmations are electronic, and the reporting is simple. I’m hoping that this gets more people to use Log of The World.

Want to know who is on Log of The World? Check out HB9BZA’s Log of The World site.

Are you interested in this award?

Scot, K9JY

Related posts:

1. South Cook Islands on for ARRL DX CW
2. New ARRL Contest Update Delivered
3. ARRL to update web site?
4. Ham Radio and ARRL Legislative Objectives
5. ARRL needs new media tools for donations