Operated by GAPA
The Grid and Prefix Awards Group

To submit a claim: Ernie
print a copy in .pdf  format
click here to view the available,
themed certificates
~~~~~~
Thanks go to
Venca Nemecek,OKL007
for his reviewing of the SWL Rules. See Venca's
promotional. click on our Accolades link.

 

 

Index

 

Starting Out ~ GRID ~ rev: 10/15/23

The starting point for all of the grid awards is the Basic Requirement. You earn this by working digital mode stations in different grids around the world, and can claim the total number of grid squares confirmed.
A Note for SWL. You can claim both sides of the reception but only each is claimed separately and only those that are confirmed  as per Note#1 in section
"Applications (applies to all awards)" below.

  1. Claims for total grid squares worked are independent of country/entity. Thus you only get one credit for any single grid square, regardless of how many countries/entities it touches, or of any political decisions that have changed country/entity status, or of how many QSOs you have had with stations within that grid from those different countries/entities. So the Basic Requirement for, say, working 250 grid squares on PSK must be 250 unique and different grid squares. Please remember that we only use the 4 digit Grid Square number, not the 6 digit.

    The Grid and Prefix Awards Group [GAP Awards] is proud to recognizes the achievements of Amateur Radio, HAMS and SWL Operators worldwide, for confirming two way communications or for SWL confirming SWL reception, by offering its new Digital Maidenhead Grid Awards Program.
    Please be aware that the GAPA management can change the Art Work, Rules, Prices etc.and any and all aspects of this award at no notice.

  2. This award is available in various modes as specific in table #1 below. (Regardless of method of generation, CW is not considered a valid mode for this award.) Please note that all the sub modes of these various modes are included in the parent mode, ie.PSK includes BPSK, QPSK, PSK63, PSK10 etc., and JTx includes all JT, FT and variants. Each mode has its own particular number of required grid squares for the Basic Requirement, as noted in the table#1. Please note that each mode needs you to get the Basic Award for the Mode you are interested in. Once you have the Basic Award in a mode that mode is wide open to you for any of its certificates etc. If you feel that you qualify for a non-listed digital mode, please request that we review your information.
  3. You can also earn this award in the Mixed category. Mixed includes all of the digital modes listed in #2 above, including any combination thereof. (Note that CW is not included in Mixed, either.) If you want to include digital modes not listed above, please make a request as listed above.
    • Special Note: Remember the mixed award is a "Catch All" which is a combination of any number of different modes. It is also possible to claim the mixed if you have only one mode in the mixed.
      Please remember that YOU must claim the mixed award. If you don't claim it, it will not be included in the OLAR web page.
  4. After you have earned the Basic Requirement in a mode, you can earn QSO Endorsements by working additional grid squares in the increments noted in the table. This also enables you to claim any of the other certificates in that mode. A Basic Requirement is needed in each mode before collection of that modes offerings. ie BARS, Stamps, Stickers etc.
  5. OK, to get started, please email your claims to me at, emills21@cox.net.
    Please check out the example of an  excel
      file and select the claim you are working on. ie DX.
    Save it to your desktop then attach it to an email to me with your claim explained in the email text as to what you are requiring and your
    "Confirmation Statement" see email claim 
    My files are kept in Excel. If you need help on Excel simply download a blank excel work sheet by clicking blank and fill in the cells.   or as shown on the Application Section Rule #6.   If the blank does not have a tab with your claim requirements on it please send in your claim and I will add a tab to include your requirement and send it back to you.  When I receive your completed claim I will check it and make changes where necessary, emailing you with any changes for your approval.
    A copy of your 'master' files will be emailed to you on acceptance of your claim. Each time you apply for an endorsement to increase the number of Grid Squares claimed, simply submit a new copy of your 
    excel sheet clearly showing your additional grid squares on the original excel page. In the case of Band and Mode basic certificates, please send these each to their own excel sheet and on making further endorsements simply submit your updated Band or Mode list.

 

Table #1

Mode

Basic
Requirement

Endorsement
Increments

Mixed

300

50

Rtty

250

50

SSTV

50

25

PSKx

250

50

MT63

50

25

Throb

50

25

MFSK

200

50

JTx incl. FTx

250

50

Hell...

100

25

Olivia

50

25

 

Additional Endorsements

 

  1. In addition to the QSO endorsements noted above, there are further endorsements that can be earned after you have completed the Basic Requirement for that mode. A Sticker extension sheet is available.
  2. You can earn band endorsements as shown in the following table, based on QSOs with the specified number of unique grid squares on a single band. Note that the required number of grids varies with operating mode (similar to the Basic Requirement). If you earn all bands, 160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m and 6m in a given mode, you can claim the WAB sticker. The WAB-60 endorsement for the WAB sticker is available if you earn the 60m stamp and all the other bands. You can claim the 60m stamp before completing all the other bands but you can only claim the WAB-60 after all the other bands are claimed.
    Note that band endorsements are a 
    one time endorsement per mode.
  3. If you earn all continents, AS, AF, EU, NA SA, and OC, you can claim the WAC sticker. The WAC-AN endorsement for the WAC sticker is available if you earn the AN stamp and all the other bands. You can claim the AN stamp before completing all the other bands but you can only claim the WAB-AN after all the other bands are claimed. These Stickers will be numbered on both WAC and AN, effective 7th July 2023.
    Note that band endorsements are a 
    one time endorsement per mode.

 

Table #2

 

Band

Mix

RTTY

SSTV

PSK

MT63

Throb

MFSK

Hell

JTx

Olivia

160m
80m
40m
30m
20m
17m
15m
12m
10m
6m

45
180
240
45
300
45
300
45
300
90

38
150
200
38
250
38
250
38
250
75

8
30
40
8
50
8
50
8
50
15

38
150
200
38
250
38
250
38
250
75

8
30
40
8
50
8
50
8
50
15

8
30
40
8
50
8
50
8
50
15

30
120
160
30
200
30
200
30
200
60

15
60
80
15
100
15
100
15
100
30

38
150
200
38
250
38
250
38
250
75

8
30
40
8
50
8
50
8
50
15

60m endorsement to the WAB offered only after completion of the above

60m

45

38

9

38

8

8

30

15

38

8

 

3.    You can earn continent endorsements as shown in the following table, based on QSOs with the specified number of unique grid squares within a single continent. Note that the required number of grids varies with operating mode (similar to the Basic Requirement). If you earn endorsements for all continents in a given mode, you can claim the Worked All Continents (WAC) award for that mode.

 

Table #3

 

Continent

Mix

Rtty

SSTV

PSKx

MTx

Throb

MFSK

Hell

JTx

Olivia

AS-Asia

75

63

13

63

13

13

50

25

63

13

AF-Africa

75

63

13

60

10

10

40

20

50

10

EU-Europe

180

150

30

150

30

30

120

60

150

30

NA-N. America

180

150

30

150

30

30

120

60

150

30

SA-S. America

120

100

20

120

20

20

80

40

100

20

OC-Oceania

60

50

10

60

10

10

40

20

50

10

AN-Antarctica

4

3

2

3

2

2

2

2

3

2

 

 4.   The Maritime Mobile or Wet Award is a special certificate. These are now Mode specific. To qualify for this endorsement the grid square MUST be completely, 100% water—no islands, no shore lines, water only. Since you only need to work each Maritime Mobile grid once for credit you will earn an endorsement for each per claim.  The first successful claim will earn you a Special DX BAR for your DX collectors sheet. At this time you should also claim your special Maritime Mobile collectors sheet, for all future Maritime Mobile claims you will earn a special STAMP sticker. This Maritime Mobile collectors sheet leads you to the PINNACLE Series Neptune Award. (see below in the PINNACLE Award.)
5.   The Antarctic Award is also available. After receiving one (1) Antarctic BAR you can claim the Antarctic Collectors sheet. See DX BARSs item 8 below. The Antarctic Awards are based on the political entities authorizing stations in Antarctica, rather than the actual grid squares within the Antarctic continent. Similar to the Maritime Mobile award above, you will get credit each time a different political Antarctic entity is worked. Although this award is not Band specific it is offered in different Modes. On the first endorsement you will get a Special DX BAR for your collectors sheet. All additional claims will be special endorsement stickers.

 

BARs

BARs are a separate and distinct portion of the GAP Awards Grid program, and can be earned for confirming a specified number of unique grid squares within specific political entities and subdivisions. You can begin earning BARs as indicated below after you have completed the Basic Requirement.

 

State and Province BARs and Collector Sheets

  1.  You can earn BARs for working grids in specific US states, Canadian provinces, New Zealand and Australian provinces as well as Japanese Districts, again only after you have completed the Basic Requirement for that mode. State/province BARs are mode-specific.
  2. Each of these entities listed in the PINNACLE table below also have their own separate collector achievement sheet. Please claim these when you claim your first BAR. Yes only one (1)  BAR  to claim your collector sheet.
  3. Please check out the requirements for each on our list of Grid Squares to be used to define the state or province claimed. Please note that we will print the revision level on any booklet sent to you by mail. The Web Page version of this list will always be marked with the most current version number.
  4. You can claim credit towards a state/province BAR only if you have worked that state/province and have completed the Basic Requirement for that mode. You cannot claim credit for a grid by itself, and then apply it to multiple states or provinces that share that grid.
  5. You also cannot claim credit towards a state/country BAR if your QSO pre-dates the existence of that state or province. Thus claims for Alaska and Hawaii must be based on QSOs after their respective statehood dates, and a claim for Nunavut must be based on a QSO after it was declared a separate territory in 1999.
  6. Please note that the US collector sheets are for the US States and not the 16 US Territories. On the OLAR the two will be shown divided by a +.  ie 48 + 4 means you are credited with 48 US States and 4 US Territories.
  7. The US States Collector sheets are unique in as far as they are indexed such that you will automatically get two Collector sheets with indexed, State names printed in the cells.

 

DX BARs

  1. You can earn BARs for working grids in countries/entities on the ARRL DXCC list, and our expanded list at  Grid Squares again only after you have completed the Basic Requirement for that mode. DX BARs are mode-specific.
  2. Please check out the requirements for each country/entity on our list of Grid Squares. Click here for our list of Grid Squares to be used to define the DXCC entity claimed. Please note that we will print the revision level on any booklet sent to you by mail. The Web Page version of this list will always be marked with the most current version number.
  3. Note that earning the K, I, VE, JA, ZL or VK BAR requires earning the specified number of state/province/region or territory  BARs as per the  Grid Squares table.
  4. You can claim credit towards a DX BAR only if you have worked that country/entity and have completed the Basic Requirement for that mode. You can not claim credit for a grid by itself, and then apply it to multiple countries or entities that share that grid.
  5. You also cannot claim credit towards a country/entity BAR if your QSO pre-dates or post-dates the existence of that country/entity. Thus claims for East Germany must be based on QSOs prior to reunification. Claims for Canal Zone must be for QSOs made prior to its return to Panama, and claims for the various PJs are separated by the 10/10/10 date.
  6. If you have (enough) QSOs either before or after any such dates, you can claim the appropriate BARs for the countries/entities that existed at the times of the QSOs. Thus someone could still submit QSOs from, say 2005, and claim the BAR for pre-separation Bonaire/Curacao, but if the QSOs were post-10/10/10, then they can only claim the separate Curacao and Bonaire BARs.
  7. There is a special DX BAR that can be claimed after you submit your first Maritime Mobile grid square. This BAR counts towards your DDXCC total, even though it does not appear on the ARRL DXCC list.
  8. There is also a special DX BAR that can be claimed after you submit your first Antarctic endorsement. This BAR also counts towards your DDXCC total.
  9. After collecting 100 DXCC BARS on your collector sheet you should then claim the PINNACLE DDXCC award and start collecting the Entity Stamp. DX BARS will no longer be available after the 100th BAR.
    See GAPA-DDXCC (digital DXCC) award in the PINNACLE series below.

 

Applications (applies to all awards)

 

  1. All QSOs or SWL must be confirmed either by QSL card, LoTW , QRZ logbook, HRD log, Club Log  or eQSL, and should be made available to the GAPA-Grid Award manager upon request. Do NOT send QSL cards unless requested to do so.
  2. All applicants must submit a copy of their Grid Locator list indexed on the 4 digit Grid Locator number in alpha-numeric order, date (if available), call sign, mode, country worked and confirmed by (unless each claim sends the certification text below.
  3. Please check out the example of an  excel  file and select the claim you are working on. ie DX. My files are kept in Excel. I will check it make changes where necessary. Or download a blank excel worksheet
    A copy of your 'master' files will be emailed to you on acceptance of your claim. Each time you apply for an endorsement to increase the number of Grid Squares claimed, simply submit a new copy of your 
    excel sheet clearly showing your additional grid squares on the original excel page. In the case of Band and Mode basic certificates, please send these each to their own excel sheet and on making further endorsements simply submit your updated Band or Mode list.
  4. Don't forget to include your full name, address, call sign and snail mail address with any and all applications. All certificates will be mailed in brown manila envelopes unless a No-Bend Envelope is requested, these are a lot more expensive in mailing costs..
  5. Applications can include any number of Basic Requirements, endorsements, modes, bands, etc. for which you qualify. Just be sure to include all of the information and make clear the awards/endorsements for which you are applying. Separate Excel worksheets for each award/endorsement are a good idea.
  6. Your application must include a certification that you have worked the grids listed, and have appropriate confirmation of those QSOs. You must include a QSO confirmed statement as per the one below to the end of ALL your claim emails. Failing to do so will mean the return of your claim for addition of this statement hence wasting your time.

 

I certify that I have worked and have the QSL cards, LoTW, QRZ logbook, HRD log, Club Log or eQSL proof of contacts confirming the Callsign, Data, Band and Mode for each of my claimed contacts, and will produce them to the GAPA Award manager upon request. I understand that this application may be rejected if I fail to submit the required information upon request, or if any doubt about authenticity. I also agree to abide by the decisions of the GAPA Officers.

 

    7.    Send your applications to the GAPA Manager, Ernie Mills, WM2U at e-mail: emills21@cox.net

 

Other administrative notes:

  1. When submitting a claim you will normally attach an excel spreadsheet with your claims but please also write an exact summary of what you are claiming, for what award, by total count.
    ie
    . I would like the following GAPA Grid Awards.
    1) Mixed Mode:
    900 endorsement.
    DX BARS (5) CU, HB0, LZ, m/m, OZ.
    VK BARS (1) VE2
    WET Award (4) FJ05, FK13, FL67, FM00
    2) JTx Mode:
    700 endorsement.
    US BARS (49) as per spreadsheet.
    3) PSK Mode:
    600 & 650 endorsements
    Also include here the "certification that you have worked etc........"
    Oh! by the way if you don't know Excel please let us know and we'll figure an alternate out.
  2. Please be aware that the effective date(s) for the rules, endorsements and BAR qualification is the one on this web site and not the one printed on the snail mail Grid Square booklet.
  3. All successful GAP Grid award recipients will be listed in the On Line Achievement Record, OLAR on the GAP web site at www.gapawards.com.
  4. There is a small fee for these awards. The fee schedule can be viewed at awards pricing . This will  include certificates for the Basic Requirements stickers for Band, Continent and Maritime Mobile endorsements; BARs and Antarctic endorsements; collector sheets for stickers; and certificates for the Pinnacle series (listed below). Please  click here to view some of the theme certificates that are available. If SWL the certificates will reflect that mode. Replacement certificates, including those for displaying new awards (such as WAB and WAC) are available at the normal price. I will process your claim and email you your three files, Issued, Account and Data, when you agree with it I will process teh claim amd send you a price normally payable via PayPal or check. Some prefec not to pay the PayPal fee so we hold a small account which will be recorded on your Account Statement.
  5. There is no start date so dig deep into your log and claim those past digital contacts, even if they are 'deleted' from the ARRL list. they count.
  6. HF Bands, 160m through 6m including WARC bands are included in this award series.
  7. This is an Amateur/SWL achievement award, not a location award, so your contacts count from where ever YOU made them. If you have operated under two or more call signs please give me the extra call signs.
  8. All certificates will be mailed out unfolded in a 9x12 manila envelope.
  9. Any licensed Amateur/SWL, worldwide can claim this award.
  10. You do not need to be a member of a club to apply.
  11. To assist you in selection look at our Grid Locator table at Grid Squares or ask for the booklet. The latest revision will always be that of the Grid List on the web site.
  12. The ARRL World Grid Locator Atlas, http://www.arrl.org/shop/The-ARRL-World-Grid-Locator-Atlas  the ARRL North American Grid Locator Maps, http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Grid-Locator-for-North-America  the DX Atlas by VE3NEA,http://www.dxatlas.com/  ,F6FVY Grid Locator,  http://f6fvy.free.fr/qthLocator/  and https://zone-check.eu then on top right drop box select 'Grid DM1CM' .. are some of the sources of Grid Square information available to you. Remember that the confirming QSL need not necessarily show the actual Grid Square as long as the QTH info shown allows you to positively identify which Maidenhead Grid Square it is in.
  13. You can display your certificate(s) in a 3 ring binder using clear protective, plastic covers. If you use binder index pages you could produce a really nice book of your different Grid Square achievements.  click here to view some of the Binder Photos submitted by our users. With this is mind we have available spare pages, complete with GAPA-Grid header, for expansion of your DX, US, VE, JA, I, VK and ZL BARS, in any mode. Please click here to view some of the theme dedicated spare sheets and certificates that are available.
  14. It is highly recommended that the stickers, BARS and endorsements be mounted on the relevant sheet using Stamp Hinges. Many thanks to Sid Grimes, KK8X for finding this OnLine outlet for those hinges. Take a look at The Hobby Lobby then click on "Hobbies", then search for "Stamp Hinges." I did buy them at OfficeMax a few years ago. Staples could also handle them.
  15. As of 20th November 2015 there will be a minimum PayPal charge of $5.50

 

The Pinnacle Series!   do you qualify?

 

This series of numbered awards honors the best of the best, the crème de la crème. They are based on your performance in the GAPA-Grid Award program, indeed your entrance to this hall of fame is only through that route. We will add new Pinnacle awards at intervals but if you have a suggestion for a new one, please let us know.
Please  click here to view some of the 
theme dedicated spare sheets and certificates that are available.
Note1: Use the maidenhead Grid Square tables to determine the claim requirements for the Pinnacle endorsements.
Note2: Please include a list of call signs with the claim QSO's on each PINNACLE claimed.
The following are now available:

  • GAPA-DDXCC (digital DXCC) award.
    If you have successfully claimed and hold at least 100 GAPA-Grid DX BARS, drop me an email to claim your award. Endorsements are available in increments of 20 up to 200, 10 up to 300 and increments of 5 beyond that. These awards are numbered. The award and endorsements are offered per mode, and the achievement recognition will be posted in the relevant mode table.
  • GAPA-DWAS (digital WAS) award. To claim your US collectors sheet work only one (1) US QSO.
    After holding all the 
    US State BARS on your collectors sheet, you can claim this award. This award has space for all the US territories as well, including KG4, KH0, KH1, KH2, KH3, KH4, KH5, KH5K, KH7K, KH8 (Swains Is). After Jul 22, 2006), KH8, KH9, KP1, KP2, KP3-4 and KP5. There are 16 territory endorsements available. The award and endorsements are offered per mode, and the achievement recognition will be posted in the relevant mode table.
  • GAPA-DVE (digital worked all Canada award).  
    This certificate is available if you have 
    worked and hold all 11 Canadian Province BARS, VE1-VE7, VE9, VY2, VO1, VO2. This PINNACLE award offers special stickers for the VE0, VE8, VY0, VY1, CY0 and CY9, (please note that NFL, VO1 and LAB, VO2 are treated as separate provinces for the purposes of this award ),  The award and endorsements are offered per mode, and the achievement recognition will be posted in the relevant mode table.
  • GAPA-DVK (digital worked all Australia award)  
    The Collector Sheet: After confirming just one (1) Territory you can claim the VK Collectors Sheet.
    The DX BAR:
    Hold any 3 Territories from VK1 though VK8 then claim your VK DX BAR.
    To complete the VK Collector sheet:  
    If you finish and confirm all VK1 - VK8 you get to claim the DVK PINNACLE award.
    PINNACLE Award:  This offers special stickers for the VK0h, VK0m, VK9c, l, m, n, w, x and y territories. After completing all 9 Claim your numbered VK Flag to show completion.
  • GAPA-DZL (digital worked all New Zealand award)
    Available 
    for working and holding all 4 New Zealand Region BARS on your collectors sheet ZL1-4 There is specified room on this certificate to collect all the Protectorates and special call prefixes, E5/n, E5/s, ZK2/E6, ZK3, ZL0, ZL5-9.
    The award and endorsements are offered per mode, and the achievement recognition will be posted in the relevant mode table.
  • GAPA-DJA (digital worked all Japan award)
    The Collector Sheet: After confirming just one (1) Territory you can claim the JA Collectors Sheet.
    The DX BAR:
    Hold any 3 Districts JA0 – JA9 claim your JA DX BAR.
    To complete the JA Collector sheet: Finish and confirm ALL territories JA0 through JA9 on the Collector sheet.
    PINNACLE Award: Completing the JA collector sheet allows you to make a claim for the JA PINACLE Award. This award offers special stickers for confirming JD1/o Ogasawara, JD1/m Minami Torishima, JR6 Okinawa Prefecture and any 8J1 JA station in the Antarctic.
  • GAPA-DIT (digital worked all Italy award)

    The Collector Sheet: After confirming just one (1) District you can claim the Italy Collectors Sheet.
    The DX BAR: To get the IT DX BAR you need to confirmed only one (1) QSO from each of the prefixes, , Ix0 - Ix9, shown in the IT Gridlocator Tables.
    To Complete the IT Collector sheet: Complete all Ix0 - Ix9 BARS, hence holding all 34 Grids then claim the PINNACLE Award

    The PINNACLE Award:
    Offers special stickers for confirming 19 of the harder Italian Regions and Islands including the Italian Antarctica.

  • GAPA-DUK (digital worked all United Kingdom Award)
    The Collector Sheet: All you need is One (1) from either G, or GM, or GW, or GI, or GU, or GJ, or GD,  for a total of one (1) QSO confirmed to claim this collector sheet.
    The DX Bar: Confirm one (1) of each G, GM, GW, GI, GU, GJ and GD for total of 7 confirmed QSO for the DX BAR.
    To complete the UK collector sheet: Complete all 48 stamps needed on the collector sheet, then claim the COMPLETED STAMP.
    PINNACLE Award:
    Claim 12xG, 5xGM, 3xGW, 3xGI and one each of GU, GJ or GD, for a total of 26 confirmed QSO’s.
    The Union Jack Flag: This
    the Pièce de resistance to the UK Award. This you claim after you have confirmed ALL stamps on the PINNACLE Sheet. For completion you must hold the COMPLETED FLAG as the Union Jack flag will not be issued.
  • GAPA-DDL (digital worked all Germany Award)
    To claim this DL Collectors sheet you need to confirm only one (1) State as per the DL requirements in the Grid-locator Tables. Then hold one (1) confirmed QSO from each of the 13 States on the Collector sheet to claim the coveted DDL PINNACLE award.
      
    The award and endorsements are offered per mode, and the achievement recognition will be posted in the relevant mode OLAR table.
    Completion of this Award will allow you to claim the coveted, numbered German Flag.
    It appears that identifying the German State from a confirmed QSO is difficult. Leslie Johnson WA4EEZ sent us her method of finding the DL State.
    i Make a list of all your confirmed DL stations -- digital only.
    ii)   Determine the City if not evident in you log -- use QRZ, etc.
    iii)  Look up the City on Wikipedia -- scroll down and locate the State.
  • GAPA-DPA (digital worked all Dutch Kingdom Award)
    Available 
    for working and holding all 12 Provinces and 3 cities, a total of 15, on your collectors sheet, you can claim the coveted DPA PINNACLE award.    This will involve working all 6 Territories. See the Grid Locator Table for more information.
    The award and endorsements are offered per mode, and the achievement recognition will be posted in the relevant mode OLAR table.
    How to determine the Provinces by Hugo, PA3GAE: On internet you can easily find which city/village is in which province. A ham radio station is located in a city/village, so in my opinion it is easy to determine the province.
    Completion of this Award will allow you to claim the coveted, numbered Royal Dutch Flag.
  • GAPA-DUA0 (digital worked all Asiatic Russian Award)
    You can claim the very difficult
    DUA0 PINNACLE award after confirming 18 of the 29 AS Russia regions on the Grid Locator table.  After confirming the required islands as per the Grid Locator table PINNACLE list, you can then claim the coveted Russian Federation FLAG numbered and marked UA0 for the Asian regions worked.
    The award and endorsements are offered per mode, and the achievement recognition will be posted in the relevant mode OLAR table.
  • GAPA-DUA (digital worked all European Russian Award)
    You can claim the very difficult
    DUA PINNACLE award after confirming 25 of the 57 EU Russia regions on the Grid Locator table.  After confirming the required islands as per the Grid Locator table PINNACLE list, you can then claim the coveted Russian Federation FLAG numbered and marked UA for the European regions worked.
    The award and endorsements are offered per mode, and the achievement recognition will be posted in the relevant mode OLAR table.
  • The NEPTUNE Award. digital working Marine Mobile stations
    This very difficult award is offered to anyone confirming all 20 WET (Marine Mobile) Grid Squares.    
    Wet Award endorsements are available in the following increments. First 4 Stamps in increments of 5, next 5 in increments of 10, then 5 in increments of 50, and the last 4 in increments of 100.  
    These awards are offered in different modes each being shown on the endorsement BAR or stamp. 

 

What's New !

 

Please keep your eye on this section. This is where any new award, endorsement or Bar will be announced. This can be a product of GAPA's ongoing improvements or our acceptance of one of your suggestions.
If you would like GAPA to consider other BAR possibilities not covered above, please feel free to email us with your request.
Ideas under consideration:

  1. Worked all New Zealand (ZL)  DONE! 4/26/16
  2. Worked all Australia (VK)  DONE! 4/29/16      
  3. Worked all Canada (VE)  DONE! 6/15/16
  4. Worked all Continents. DONE! 6/19/14
  5. Worked all Japan (JA) DONE! 6/15/16
  6. Worked all Italy (IT) DONE! 1/15/17
  7. Worked all The United Kingdom (UK). Thanks to Rich, K3VAT.  Done! 2/19/18
  8. Worked all Germany (DL). Thanks to Rich, K3VAT, Gerd DL1BBO Done! 4/22/18
  9. Worked all Dutch (PA). Thanks to Hugo, PA3GAE Done! 11/1/18  
  10. Worked all AS Russia (UA0). Thanks to Rich K3VAT, Alan WL7CG and Hugo PAGAE.
    With a special thanks to Steve Melachrinos W3HF for his help in the final editing.
    DONE! 1/4/21 .
  11. Worked all EU Russia (UA). Thanks to Hugo Noordhoek, PA3GAE.      DONE! 1/4/21 .
  12. Added 60DONE! 4/4/17.
  13. Added SWL.  Done! 3/2/18
  14. Worked all CQ zones.
  15. Worked all CQ zones.
  16. Worked all ITU zones.
  17. Worked a complete Maidenhead Field.
  18. BINGO!! Play Bingo on any Grid Field of your choice, ie IO, FN etc., and fill in the Bingo requirement.

 

Revision List

 

1)  The entire set of rules and philosophy for the TARA-Grid Awards were updated/rewritten on
25 June 2015
2)  This complete Award program was transplanted to www.gapaward.com which is run by
GAPA, The Grid and Prefix Awards Program. 11/9/16
3)   There have been many changes to the number of Grids required to qualify  11/13/16
4)   The PINNACLE awards and endorsements are now offered per mode, and the achievement recognition will be posted in the relevant mode table. 5/9/17
5)   FT8 and variants included in FTx series.
6)   SWL added to this Award Series.
7)   Explanation of claiming the WAB-60 Sticker.
8)   Created numbered German and British Flag stickers for DDL and/or DUK completion. 10/14/18
9)   Added AN (Antarctica) to the Continents list. Check the rules
Additional Endorsements #3

10) Please be aware that only the base DX BAR for any of the PINNACLE awards will be issued (when earned) as of 7/20/19. Any already issued will be Grandfathered hence maintaining the DX Totals.

11)  To clarify: One must earn the Basic Requirement certificate in the mode you wish to claim and work in. ie Get the Basic Certificate before claiming any BARS, Stickers, Stamps etc. in that mode.
12)  We now offer St. Maarten PJ7, St.Eustatius PJ5 & Saba PJ6 as separate entities for DX BAR claims.
13)  The Grid IN79 is now included in the UK G Grid Count, also it was decided that because of low Ham count in certain GM grids we have now joined Grid IO74 & IO84, and IO99 & IP90.
14)  As of 6/14/23 Putting your claim on OLAR free of charge will no longer be offered,

 

 

Good luck chasing those Grids, Ernie WM2U

 

 

Acknowledgments 1:
Ernie Mills, wm2u and the
Grid and Prefix Awards Group [GAPA] would like to thank
Stephen Melachrinos, W3HF for his continuing support and help formulating this upgrade and modernization of these these Awards Grid Rules.
Steve was there with me at the onset of this award quite a few years ago. He has contributed many hours of Radio Amateur experience and insight to this project. Without Steve’s help and valuable constructive criticism, this award would be extinct.
Again many thanks for bringing this Award into the 21st Century.

Acknowledgments 2:
Ernie would also like to thank Rich Kennedy, K3VAT, Leslie Johnson WA4EEZ and Alan Sorum, WL7CG  for there many suggestions offered to us on this final rewrite of the GAPA Grid Rules.
Ernie wm2u

 

Index