Dave,
I
have a suggestion that may allow for more timely distribution of LOTW
information without additional cost to the ARRL.
I
see that ARRL has a forum for DXCC but it does not appear to be used widely
for LOTW. I doubt creating an LOTW forum would be helpful,
however.
It
appears most of the LOTW information exchange is occurring on ARRL-LOTW@yahoogroups.com with
over 2000 members. One of my division members suggested that having
accurate information from the ARRL on a timely basis would handle most of the
rumors that come out concerning LOTW. Although several on the board may
be members of that group, we are still dealing with second hand
information.
Is
it possible for someone on staff who is directly associated with the LOTW
program monitor that list, perhaps in digest form? That staffer would
have the advantage of having direct access to problems members are having, and
be able to post timely authoritative information on the system for the
members, dispelling rumors. Hopefully it would take less than 15 minutes
in a day, scanning through the digest, and posting a reply. It would be
certainly more efficient than responding to members one at a
time.
It
goes without saying that the staffer will have to have a thick skin!
Some will not be happy with any answer. The majority would be
appreciative of the information.
There
is a precedent for this. Ed Hare did participate in the BPL yahoogroup,
and information exchange was astounding (and we even won that war!). On
another front, Paul Opitz is the product manager for Uniden. He
participates in many of the scanner yahoogroups, and is highly appreciated by
the scanner community for his customer service.
I
think this would be great customer service for no additional
cost.
’73
de JIM N2ZZ
ARRL
Vice Director
Roanoke
Division