Awards¶
I did not expect to want to chase awards but actually it’s proving rather fun! (Though in fairness it’s less “chase” and more “gently amble towards”).
With my relatively basic antenna setup and low power usage, it’s harder than it could be, but I’m getting there!
QRZ¶
QRZ make it super easy to apply for awards and/or check your eligibility, by just uploading a logbook and clicking through the site.
As such, that’s how I got my first (and currently only…) award, the World Radio Friendship Award (25 contacts)! Although application and receipt is free, as it was my first, I paid out for the fancy bit of paper. It’s a very nice bit of paper!
I’m currently aiming for the “Grid Squared Award” (100 different grid squares worked - I’m currently at 83) and “Master of Radio Communication - Europe” (66 different “entities” (approximately “countries”) worked - I’m currently at 59).
RSGB¶
The RSGB has some interesting awards: https://rsgb.org/main/operating/amateur-radio-awards/
Unfortunately I’m ineligible for a bunch because I qualified some time before really becoming active (so I’m well past “the first year of having the Intermediate licence”) and they all seem to involve filling out an Excel worksheet and submitting it for verification. I’d definitely like to take a look at some in the future, but the QRZ process definitely makes it easier to check, track process, and apply!
FT8DMC¶
The FT8DMC has a whole host of awards with some very lovely designs: https://ft8dmc.eu/award-rules/
Unfortunately the application process requires running some proprietary tooling and I haven’t yet sorted out an environment in which I’m happy to do so!