C:\MyLoTWCertificates
(if you've stored them in a different folder, adjust the instructions accordingly)YourCallsign.tq6
, e.g. K1MU.tq6
To initiate the renewal of your certificate,
1. | Delete the Callsign Certificate Request file C:\MyLoTWCertificates\YourCallsign.tq5 if it's present; this original certificate request is no longer needed. |
2. | Navigate to C:\MyLoTWCertificates and create a subfolder there named Obsolete , if this subfolder has not previously been created |
3. | Move the Callsign Certificate file YourCallsign.tq6 from the folder C:\MyLoTWCertificates to its subfolder C:\MyLoTWCertificates\Obsolete , replacing any existing file in that subfolder with the same name |
4. | Move the Certificate Container file YourCallsign.p12 from the folder C:\MyLoTWCertificates to its subfolder C:\MyLoTWCertificates\Obsolete , replacing any existing file in that subfolder with the same name |
5. | Start the TQSLCert application; the tQSL Certificates window will appear, displaying a list of your Callsign Certificates |
6. | In the tQSL Certificates window, click on the certificate to be renewed, and open the Certificate menu's Renew Certificate command |
7. | The Generate Certificate Request window will appear, showing that you are creating a new Callsigh Certificate Request file; click the Next button |
8. | The Generate Certificate Request window will now show your Callsign and DXCC entity (both grayed out because they can't be changed) |
8.a | the QSO begin date should already be set to the begin date specified on your current certificate | |
8.b | for an active callsign, the QSO end date should be remain blank; for an inactive callsign, the QSO end date should already be set to the end date specified on your current certificate | |
8.c | click the Next button |
9. | The Generate Certificate Request window will now show your name and address; make any necessary corrections, and click the Next button |
10. | The Generate Certificate Request window will now show your email address; make any necessary corrections, and click the Next button |
11. | The Generate Certificate Request window will now prompt you to specify a password; leave both password boxes empty, and click the Finish button |
12. | A Save request window will appear, with the File name set to YourCallsign.tq5 ; navigate to C:\MyLoTWCertificates , and then click the Save button to save your new
Callsign Certificate Request file |
13. | A tQSLCert window will appear, explaining how to convey your new Callsign Certificate Request file to the ARRL; click the OK button |
14. | The tQSL Certificates window will display an entry for your new certificate request with a pending icon: ![]() |
15. | Upload your certificate request to the ARRL via https://p1k.arrl.org/lotw/upload ; use the web page's Choose File button to navigate to the folder
C:\MyLoTWCertificates and select the YourCallsign.tq5 file you find there; then click the Upload file button |
16. | Retain the YourCallsign.tq5 file; its presence in C:\MyLoTWCertificates will be required when you accept the certificate that the ARRL will send you, so don't delete it! |
17. | terminate TQSLCert by opening its File menu and selecting the Exit command |
When you receive email from the ARRL message with an attached file named YourCallsign.tq6
,
18. | save the attached file into the folder C:\MyLoTWCertificates |
19. | Start the TQSLCert application; the tQSL Certificates window will appear, displaying a list of your Callsign Certificates, as will an Alert window asking if you are ready to load your new certificate; click the Alert window's Yes button. |
19.a | the Load Certificate File window will appear; in this window, set the type of certificate to TQSL (.tq6) , and click the Next button; the Select Certificate File window will appear | |
19.b | in the Select Certificate File window, select the file C:\MyLoTWCertificates\YourCallsign.tq6 and click the Open button; a small Install Certificate window will appear | |
19.c | in the Install Certificate window, click the Finish button | |
19.d | the tQSL Certificates window should now show a single entry for your certificate with a yellow medal icon: ![]() |
19.d.1. | click on this entry to select it | ||
19.d.2. | create a Certificate Container file by opening the Certificate menu and clicking the Save menu item; the Enter PKCS#12 file to save to window will appear | ||
19.d.3. | in the Enter PKCS#12 file to save to window, set the Save in folder to C:\MyLoTWCertificates , set the File name to YourCallsign.p12 , and click the Save button; a PKCS#12 Password window will appear | ||
19.d.4. | in the PKCS#12 Password window, specify the same password in both textboxes, and click the OK button; be certain to remember this password, as you'll need it whenever you use this Callsign Certificate to submit QSOs to LoTW. |
19.e | if you received more than one certificate file from the ARRL, then open the File menu and select the Load Certificate File command and proceed to step 19a above; after all received certificate files have been processed, terminate TQSLCert by opening the File menu and selecting the Exit command. |
20. | Make a backup copy of C:\MyLoTWCertificates\YourCallsign.tq12 , and store this backup copy in a secure place; it will enable you to recover your Callsign Certificate in the event your computer's hardware or software malfunctions |