Logbook of the World (LoTW) — Complete Guide
Logbook of the World (LoTW) is the ARRL's free digital QSL and contact confirmation system. Instead of exchanging physical QSL cards, operators upload their electronic logs to LoTW, and when two operators' logs match on the same contact, the confirmation is automatic. LoTW confirmations are accepted for all major ARRL awards including DXCC, WAS (Worked All States), VUCC (VHF/UHF Century Club), and WAZ (Worked All Zones). With millions of logs uploaded from operators in virtually every country, LoTW has become the primary confirmation method for serious award chasers.
The confirmation process
LoTW uses digital certificates — similar to the certificates used for secure websites — to verify that log uploads are genuine and come from the callsign holder. When you upload a log, LoTW checks each contact against logs uploaded by other operators. When both sides of a contact match on callsign, date, time (within a tolerance), band, and mode, LoTW creates a confirmed QSO. These confirmed QSOs are then credited toward ARRL awards automatically.
The key requirement is that both stations must have uploaded their logs to LoTW. A contact you make today may not be confirmed for weeks or months until the other operator uploads their log. DXpeditions typically upload their logs to LoTW within days or weeks of returning, which is why LoTW confirmations from major DXpeditions often appear quickly after the operation ends.
Why LoTW matters for awards
DXCC is the most coveted operating award in amateur radio, and LoTW confirmations are now the primary way operators apply for DXCC credit. Physical QSL cards are still accepted for DXCC but are increasingly rare among active operators. For any entity where the operators actively use LoTW — which includes most major DXpeditions and the vast majority of US and European operators — LoTW confirmation is faster, more reliable, and free compared to paper QSL handling.
Request a LoTW certificate
Go to lotw.arrl.org and click "Request a Certificate." You will provide your callsign and contact information. The ARRL verifies your FCC licence and mails a postcard with a password to your address on file with the FCC. This address verification step is what makes LoTW certificates trustworthy — it confirms you are the actual licence holder. Allow 1–2 weeks for the postcard to arrive.
Install TQSL
TQSL (Trusted QSL) is the free software used to sign and upload logs to LoTW. Download it from lotw.arrl.org/lotw-user-guide. Install TQSL and use the certificate request feature to generate your certificate request, or import the certificate once the ARRL issues it to you after you complete the verification process.
Configure your station location
In TQSL, create a station location for each location you operate from — your home station, any portable locations you operate from regularly (a specific park for POTA, for example), and any callsigns you hold (home call, portable call, /QRP, etc.). The station location ties your certificate to a specific location and callsign so LoTW can accurately credit contacts to the correct location.
Export your log as ADIF
From your logging software, export your log as an ADIF file — the standard amateur data interchange format. Most logging programmes (N1MM Logger+, Log4OM, DXKeeper, MacLoggerDX, Ham Radio Deluxe, etc.) have an ADIF export function. Export only new contacts since your last upload — not your entire log every time — to avoid duplicate processing.
Sign and upload with TQSL
Open TQSL, select your ADIF file, choose the appropriate station location and certificate, and submit. TQSL digitally signs the log and uploads it to the LoTW server. You will receive a confirmation email when the upload is processed, typically within a few minutes to a few hours. Your confirmed QSOs will appear in your LoTW account and award credits will update automatically.
| Award | Administered By | LoTW Accepted | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXCC | ARRL | Yes — primary method | 100+ DXCC entities confirmed |
| WAS | ARRL | Yes | All 50 US states confirmed |
| VUCC | ARRL | Yes | VHF/UHF grid squares confirmed |
| WAC | IARU | Yes via ARRL | All 6 continents confirmed |
| WPX | CQ Magazine | No — CQ uses their own system | Requires CQ WPX log submission |
| POTA | POTA Programme | No — POTA uses pota.app | Upload ADIF directly to pota.app |
| SOTA | SOTA Programme | No — SOTA uses sota.org.uk | Upload to SOTAdata directly |
How often should I upload my log to LoTW?
Upload after every operating session or at least weekly if you operate regularly. The sooner you upload, the sooner your contacts will match with other operators' uploads and generate confirmations. Many operators set their logging software to upload automatically after each session. There is no benefit to waiting — frequent uploads maximise your confirmation rate.
My contact is not showing as confirmed — what do I do?
A contact only becomes confirmed when the other operator also uploads their log. If you made a contact a year ago and it still shows as unconfirmed, the other operator has not uploaded that log to LoTW. You can request a paper QSL card as an alternative if you need the contact for an award. For DXpedition contacts, check whether the DXpedition has uploaded to LoTW — most do, but some older or smaller operations may not.
Can I use LoTW for POTA or SOTA award credit?
No — POTA and SOTA use their own separate logging systems. POTA uses pota.app and SOTA uses SOTAdata at sota.org.uk. You upload separate ADIF files to each system. Many operators upload the same contacts to multiple systems simultaneously — LoTW for DXCC/WAS credit and pota.app for POTA credit, for example.
Is LoTW free?
LoTW itself is free to use. Applying for DXCC and other ARRL awards using LoTW confirmations does require paying ARRL's award fees, but the LoTW system, the TQSL software, and uploading logs are all completely free. ARRL membership is not required to use LoTW.