ARRL SYSTEMS SERVICE DISRUPTION

[IK0ZCW]

The following is excerpted from a longer update posted on the ARRL website on 25 September.
"Two major systems that have not been returned to service include DXCC and our accounting system. Most other systems have returned to full service, and we are working to clean up the stragglers.
* DXCC SYSTEM
Our DXCC software was written some 20 years ago. Although an attempt was made 8 years ago to reprogram it to function in a newer environment, that effort was unsuccessful, so the old system remains running today. The complication with bringing it back to service is that it runs on an older version of Windows that is not supported, and more importantly, we cannot purchase adequate protection to return it to service on an internet-based network.
We have created an air-gapped network to run the system on and have it operating in a test, using a different method for connecting it to Logbook of The World and online DXCC - the web service that runs the online DXCC application. This configuration is being tested and we expect it can go into production soon. We will work to process the backlog as quickly as possible.
* NEW DXCC?
There were statements made by an ARRL Director about work on a new DXCC system. That is not factual. While we have ideas for merging DXCC and LoTW into a single ARRL Radiosport platform, this concept has not been fully spec'd out or put into development.
We appreciate your continued patience and understanding".
[Source: https://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-systems-service-disruption]

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"DXCC application processing is back to typical processing times", the ARRL announced on 14 January. "In October, we reported that the ARRL DXCC System had been returned to service following work that was completed to ensure the security and integrity of the system following the cyber-attack in May. Over 4,000 DXCC applications have been logged into the system for processing since returning the system to service. We are currently processing applications submitted in December, and we continue to mail orders for paper DXCC certificates and endorsement stickers. There were 315 certificates mailed between December 27, 2024, and January 13, 2025".