Logbook of The World^® — LoTW^® — is a web-accessed database and repository that enables you to submit electronic logs for amateur radio contacts (QSOs) and for confirmation (QSLs). Users can view submitted QSOs and resulting QSLs online. Radio amateurs can use LoTW to track their progress toward achievements and awards such as The ARRL Worked All States Award, and amateur radio’s premier award, DXCC^®, membership in which is achieved by confirming on the air contacts with 100 countries.

In 2003, the ARRL introduced an electronic confirmation (QSL) system called Logbook of The World (LoTW). This system was designed to avoid many of the downsides of physical QSL cards and their movement from place to place. One of the primary goals of the plan was to provide secure authentication using cryptographic key distribution. An amateur’s computer-based logbook, in ADIF or Cabrillo format, must be “signed” using a key obtained from the ARRL. Logbook data includes callsigns and locations of stations, contact time, frequency, and operating mode. The ARRL assigns keys to U.S.-based amateurs who appear in the FCC licensing database and to non-U.S. amateurs who provide alternate proof of identity.