I remember when eQSL.cc came out, the ARRL was all upset about it and decided to try to "out gun" e-QSL.cc with their complicated Logbook Of The World. I have used both and eQSL.cc wins all the way. LoTW makes you obtain a Certificate in order to even submit logs to the LoTW website, then you need a User ID and password to even get into the LoTW site. Using your password to get into the ARRL website doesn't seem to be good enough for them. They seem to be treating LoTW like Fort Knox or something. Logbook Of The World makes you buy each and every QSL card, calling them QSL credits, whereas eQSL.cc doesn't do any of that. To get into the eQSL.cc website, you register your callsign and establish a password and that is all. Once you have that established, the rest is a breeze. They ask for a donation to keep the site up and running. You can pay as little or as much as you want. Of course, larger donations get you more choices and privileges on the website, so you get what you pay for, like anything else.
How does eQSL.cc make sure the eQSL cards are legitimate? They ask you to send them a copy of your license, then they check it against the FCC database. If all checks out, they will allow you to have AG status, meaning Authenticity Guarantee. There will be an icon that appears with your eQSL card when it is downloaded by the recipient showing that your callsign is approved and legitimate.
I don't know why any ham would insist on messing with paper QSL cards. Plus, they make the Post Office rich from the purchase of stamps. Then there is the waiting forever for QSL cards to come in from the bureau for many months or even years. Yes, I know the bureau is the cheapest way to send and receive QSLs, but it is also the slowest. So why bother with it? I am getting old and gray fast enough and I don't want to have to wait years for QSL cards when I can do it faster and easier on-line. I might die before I get all my cards from the bureau!
It seems that we want to be on the forefront of
I would bet that 99% of the hams in America have a computer at their stations, so why not use the damn thing? If it is paper QSLs you want, you can print the eQSLs out on a 4 x 6" index card or photo paper, plus you can have an electronic copy of that card stored on your computer. If you want to go even cheaper, you can put the eQSL card files on a CD, take it to Wal-Mart and have them print your eQSL cards for you! I have done it and it works great!
Did you know that eQSL.cc has operating awards just like the ARRL does? In fact, I think they might have a few more! When you want to check your standings, you go to the My Awards section of the website and you can see at a glance what awards you qualify for. If you have completed the necessary contacts, there will be an icon that says "print". Click on that and it will let you download the file so you can print out the award, suitable for framing. I have an eWAS award and it looks every bit as good as the ARRL WAS award. The eWAS was a bunch less work, too. The only "work" involved was working the stations I needed, but that was fun!
How do eQSL cards stack up against regular paper QSLs? I can show you some darn nice looking eQSLs that look every bit as good as regular paper QSLs and the only cost is the paper and ink it took to print it out on my printer.
God bless you, eQSL.cc!
