The minimum number of squares needed to
initially qualify for each individual band award is as
follows
:
- Satellite - 100
- 50 MHz - 100
- 144 Mhz - 100
- 220 MHz - 50
- 432 MHz - 50
- 902 MHz - 25
- 1296 MHz - 25
- 2.3 GHz - 10
- 3.4 GHz - 5
- 5.7 GHz - 5
- 10 GHz - 5
- Laser - 5
Note: Certificates for 220 and 432 MHz are designed as Half Century 902 and 1296 MHz as Quarter Century and those above SHF Awards.
- Satellite - 25 credits
- 50 and 144 MHz - 25 credits
- 220 and 432 MHz - 10 credits
- 902 MHz and above - 5 credits
- Separate bands are considered as separate awards.
- No crossband contacts permitted except for Satellite award.
- No contacts through active "repeater" or satellite devices, or any other power relay methods are permitted for nonsatellite awards.
- Contacts with aeronautical mobiles (in the air) do NOT count.
- Stations who claim to operate from more than one grid quare simultaneously (such as from the intersection of 4 grid squares) must be physically present in more than one square to give multiple square credit with a single contact. This requires the operator to know precisely where the intersection lines are located and placing the station exactly on the boundary to meet this test. To achieve this precision work requires either current markers permanently in place, or the precision work of a professional surveyor. Operators of such stations should be prepared to provide some evidence of meeting this test if called upon to do so. Multiple QSL cards are not required.
- Confirmations (QSLs) and application format (MSD-259 and MSD-260) must be submitted to an approved VHF Awards Manager for certification. ARRL Special Service Clubs appoint VHF Managers whose names are on file at Hq. If you do not know of an Awards Manger in your area, Hq. will give you the name of the closest manager. DO NOT SEND cards to Hq.
- For the convenience of the Awards Manager in checking cards, applicants may indicate in pencil (pencil only) the grid square locator on the address side of the cards that DO NOT clearly indicate the grid locator. The applicant affirms that he/she has accurately determined the proper locator from the address information given on the card by signing the affirmation statement on the application.
- Cards must be sorted by:
- Alphabetical by field
- Numerical from 00 to 99 within that field.
- Where it is necessary to mail cards for certification, postage equal to the amount needed to send them will be included for return of cards along with a separated self addressed mailing label. In addition, U.S. and Canadian applicants will enclose $1.00 U.S. for any initial application to cover postage and packaging of the certificate. For endorsements, enclose on an S.A.S.E with appropriate postage for the weight of your field sheets. When mailing cards, REGISTERED or CERTIFIED mail is recommended.
- Enclosed with the initial VUCC certificate from Hq. will be a photocopy of the original list of grid squares for which the applicant has received credit (MSD-259). When applying for endorsement, the applicant will indicate in RED on that photocopy those new grid squares for which credit is sought, and submit cards for certification to an Awards Manager. A new updated photocopy listing will be returned with the endorsement sticker. Thus, a current list of grid squares worked is always in the hands of the VUCC award holder, available to the VHF manager during certification, and a permanent historical record always maintained at Hq. Reminder: for initial application, enclose $1.00, and for endorsements, enclose an S.A.S.E with appropriate postage for the weight of your field sheets. For endorsement applications, it is only necessary to submit those MSD-259s that indicate new grid squares worked since the previous submission (indicated in RED).