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2026 marks a year of many celebrations. In addition to ARRL’s Year of the Club, it is also the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. To honor this milestone, ARRL has introduced a special, yearlong Worked All States (WAS) Award, called the America250-WAS. This for-purchase award will be available throughout 2026 via Logbook of The World (LoTW), and only QSLs made via LoTW count toward the award.

The America250-WAS Award is earned by confirming contact with all 50 states between 0000 UTC January 1, 2026, through 2359 UTC December 31, 2026. Endorsements for this award include:

• W1AW/Portable — Confirm contact with W1AW/portable stations in all 50 states (states will be active during two 7-day periods during the year) on HF, VHF, and above (excluding 60 meters) on all three modes (CW/phone/digital).
• Triple-Play — Confirm contact with stations in all 50 states on all three modes (CW/phone/digital), regardless of band.
• Affiliated Clubs — Confirm contact with Affiliated Club call signs (the call sign must be as shown on the ARRL Affiliated Club web page atwww.arrl.org/find-a-club. For example, contacts made with the Newington Amateur Radio League, W1OKY, count for Connecticut when contacting all 50 states. Visitlotw.arrl .org/lotw-help/getting-startedto get your club call sign set up in LoTW for a call sign certificate. Direct any questions tolotw-help@arrl.org.

Questions regarding the America250-WAS Award can be directed to ARRL Radiosport Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ,w9jj@arrl.org.