ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® introduced the ARRL America250 Worked All States (WAS) operating event this year. If you've already confirmed contacts with all 50 states, you can now order your commemorative award certificate. The attractive, frame-worthy certificate celebrates your participation in this once-in-a-lifetime event honoring America's 250th anniversary. 

ARRL is a Supporting Partner of America250 and the ARRL America250 WAS operating event complements the 2026 ARRL Year of the Club. Icom America is the Official Sponsor of the ARRL Year of the Club. Together, ARRL and Icom are supporting activities that spotlight the vital role of amateur radio clubs in communities across the country.  

The America250 WAS event runs through December 31, 2026, and is based entirely on Logbook of The World® (LoTW®) confirmations. Earning the basic award requires confirmed contacts with all 50 states made during 2026.

america250.arrl.org

Once your confirmations appear in your LoTW account, visit the America250 WAS web page america250.arrl.org, sign in using your existing LoTW account credentials, and view your WAS Account to see your award progress. If you don’t already have an LoTW WAS Award Account, you’ll need to create one first. When you’ve qualified for the award — and any endorsements — submit your order online!

America250 WAS Endorsements

Even after you've earned the basic award certificate, there's still plenty of time this year to qualify for endorsements. Participants can earn up to three:

• WAS W1AW Portable — Contact the W1AW/portable activation in all 50 states.
• WAS ARRL Affiliated Clubs — Contact ARRL Affiliated Club call signs in all 50 states.
• WAS Triple Play — Confirm all 50 states on CW, phone, and digital modes.

Endorsements are available as commemorative gold stickers that can be added to your ARRL America250 WAS certificate. 

Certificates are $30 for ARRL members and $35 for non-members, plus shipping and handling. Endorsement stickers are $5 each plus shipping and handling.

Track your progress on the ARRL America250 Worked All States web page, and learn more about Celebrate America250 with ARRL.

America250 is the national, nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a milestone that marks America’s semiquincentennial.