Hi, Harold. Unless I missed, the charts on DXCC processed-QSO volume do not specify how many were LoTW confirmations, how many were field-checked and how many were cards sent to HQ. Since the amount of work by staff varies greatly among these three modes, I don't see how absolute volume is a useful metric. QSLs must be examined by expert eyes, field-checked entries need only be keyed in, and LoTW credits should involve practically no staff time other than confirmation of payment for credits used the mailing of certificates or endorsement stickers. Unless the data excludes LoTW-confirmed contacts, this appears to mix apples and oranges as far as workload. I see that actual applications are down for each of the last two years. As for the impact of the new PJ countries, I got more than a few grumbles about the delay in crediting them to DXCC totals. We knew in advance when it would happen; did it take over four months for the initial operations to submit docs and apply for certificates? Also, would it be correct to assume that most of those seeking credit did so through LoTW matches rather than with QSL cards? Thanks for the acknowledgement of my involvement with an interim user-keyed-in VUCC format, but Mike Keane wrote the routine that enabled my simple CSV files to be read automatically into LoTW. As I detailed in an earlier private e-mail, there is still at least one bug in that process - or in LoTW logic - in this regard. Until you start processing a volume of card-based or hybrid applications, we can't tell for certain whether it's in Mike's conversion routine (I think not) or in LoTW hybrid-app logic (I suspect so). In any case, I'm happy to discuss the issue but have heard from no one since I raised the issue a couple of weeks ago. I hope this sort of thing gets some priority, since resolving it means we can openly promote member-keyed input for card-based apps that much sooner, further reducing the need for staff intervention. See you this weekend. 73, Marty N6VI ----- Original Message ----- From: Kramer, Harold, WJ1B To: arrl-odv@arrl.org ; Ford, Steve, WB8IMY ; Glass, Katie, KB1ULQ ; Hare, Ed W1RFI ; Inderbitzen, Bob, NQ1R ; Jahnke, Deb, K1DAJ ; Johnson, Debra, K1DMJ ; Kramer, Harold, WJ1B ; Patton, David NN1N ; Pitts, Allen W1AGP ; Somma, Maria, AB1FM Cc: Moore, Bill, NC1L (ARRL Awards Branch) ; Fusaro,Norm W3IZ ; Taratula, Sharon Sent: Monday, May 16, 2011 1:01 PM Subject: [arrl-odv:19951] DX Report Revised A few eagle eyed reads caught a typo or two in the original, so here is a revised version with the corrections. 73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL -the national association for Amateur Radio 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594 -0220 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org http://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv