Hi!
After I resubmitted my satellite VUCC application last Tuesday (10th) through the Logbook of the World, things seem to be working so much better. That application was approved the day after I submitted it (Wednesday, 11 May). Then the VUCC certificate and pin were mailed from ARRL on Thursday according to the postmark on the cardboard mailing tube, and it was in my mailbox today. Now this is how the electronic VUCC application process should work. Again, thanks to those who have submitted their logs to the LOTW system. I'm now at 114 confirmed via LOTW, as one more grid was confirmed in the past few days since my application was processed.
I'm happy that ARRL was able to process this application in a way much more timely than my original VUCC application back in February. I think there are still some bugs in the process of moving VUCC into the LOTW system, and maybe some will be able to talk with the ARRL folks at Dayton later this week about that. The document that John K8YSE referenced earlier today about the discrepancy between VUCC and DXCC application fees is an interesting read. It shows what I (and others) have felt about the VUCC fee structure. This, too, is something that should be brought up to the ARRL at Dayton. This has already had an effect on whether hams will apply for - or get endorsements for - VUCC awards.
For those going to Dayton, have a great time!
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/