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What is the Worked All States (WAS) award?

PostedApril 8, 2023
UpdatedAugust 1, 2023
ByHam Radio FAQ

The Worked All States (WAS) award is a prestigious achievement in amateur radio, administered by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). The award recognizes operators who have made confirmed two-way radio contacts (QSOs) with other amateur radio stations in each of the 50 U.S. states. The goal of the WAS award is to encourage operators to improve their skills, learn about radio propagation within the United States, and promote camaraderie among fellow hams across the country.

There are several categories and endorsements within the WAS program, allowing operators to pursue awards based on specific criteria:

  • Basic WAS: This is the fundamental award category, requiring confirmed contacts with each of the 50 states on any combination of bands or modes.
  • WAS Phone, CW, and Digital: These awards recognize operators who have made contacts with all 50 states using specific modes: phone (voice), CW (Morse code), or digital modes such as RTTY or FT8.
  • Five Band WAS (5BWAS): This category requires operators to make contacts with all 50 states on each of the five traditional HF bands: 80 meters, 40 meters, 20 meters, 15 meters, and 10 meters.
  • Single Band and Single Mode WAS: Awards are available for operators who have made contacts with all 50 states on specific bands or in specific modes.
  • WAS Triple Play: This award acknowledges operators who have achieved WAS status using voice, CW, and digital modes, with contacts confirmed through the ARRL’s Logbook of The World (LoTW).

To apply for a WAS award, an operator must submit a log of their confirmed contacts along with verification, which can include QSL cards, electronic confirmations through Logbook of The World (LoTW), or a combination of both. Once the ARRL has reviewed and approved the submission, the operator will receive a certificate and may be eligible for additional endorsements or plaques based on their achievements.

The WAS program offers a fun and challenging goal for amateur radio operators within the United States, providing a way to measure their progress as they explore the hobby and connect with fellow enthusiasts across the nation.

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