Amateur Radio Awards and Operating Certificates
Find information on various ham radio awards, certificates, and operating challenges available to amateur radio operators worldwide.
Amateur radio awards recognize operators for achieving specific on-air goals, such as working a certain number of countries, US counties, or communicating with special event stations. These awards encourage hams to engage with different bands, modes, and operating challenges, pushing their skills in DXing, contesting, and everyday QSOs. Chasing awards adds an exciting dimension to ham radio activity, motivating operators to improve their stations and operating techniques.
Many resources help hams track their progress and apply for various awards. Operators can find details on global award programs, including those from national societies and specialized groups like the NCDXC DXer of the Year. There are also specific awards for unique operating challenges, such as the CQ Magazine USACA award for working all US counties, or the DX Marathon Award for logging countries and CQ Zones annually. Resources also cover niche activities like the ARISS SSTV Award for decoding images from the International Space Station, or the LICW Challenge for CW enthusiasts across multiple bands.
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The CCXD Award (The Century Club of eXtreme difficulty is one of the most difficult awards to achieve. You are required to operate your home country from 100 DXCC countries. Founded in 2013, awards certificate is still awaiting presentation. -
Site dedicated to Amateur Radio Operators interested in working the 3076 US Counties for the USACA Award sponsored by CQ Magaine -
A resource for the Ham Radio Awards Hunter -
Simply work as many countries and CQ Zones as you can in each calendar year, regardless of the band or mode -
In his back office section, ON4SKY, initiates in a few articles the beginners in the art of QSLing and award chasing. -
SSA Diploms and Awards by SM6DEC -
Almaty Amateur Radio League (ARL) is organizing activation of special amateur radio stations including UN2011G and 8 stations with UP2011 prefix. -
To get this award one should receive and decode at least one picture in the session. The quality of the received image does not have to be perfect, but good enough to be able to identify. The picture does not have to be full. It is acceptable to send just some part of the picture as well. -
The Belgian Air Force Amateur Radio Association sponsor of BAFARA Award -
The LICW Challenge is a daily event for ham radio operators, with special weekly on-air classes. It resets quarterly and covers bands from 160m to 2m, focusing on CW only. The event offers various point values based on member categories and bonus opportunities. Participants use specific calling frequencies and a CQ format to exchange information. Bonus points are awarded for specific criteria like contacts outside North America or special monthly members. The goal is to work as many LICW members as possible on different bands to earn points and bonuses.