VUCC Card Checking

 Confirmations (QSLs) and application forms (MSD-259 and MSD-260) must be submitted to an approved VHF Awards Manager for certification.  ARRL Special Services Clubs appoint VHF Awards Managers whose names are on file at HQ.  If you do not know of an awards manager in your area, HQ will give you the name of the closest manager. (Also located on the Web at: http://www.arrl.org/awards/vucc.)  Foreign VUCC applications should be checked by the Awards Manager for their IARU Member Society in their respective country.  Do not send cards to HQ, unless asked to do so.

 For the convenience of the Awards Manager in checking cards, applicants may indicate in pencil (pencil ONLY) the grid 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 location from the address information given on the card by signing the affirmation statement on the application.

 Cards must be sorted:  Alphabetically by field then Numerically from 00 to 99 within that field

  (a) All VUCC applicants will be charged an initiation fee of $10.00. This fee includes one VUCC certificate.

WAS Card Checking

*  Confirmations (QSLs), Application Form (MSD-217), and Record Sheet may be submitted to an approved ARRL Special Services Club HF Awards Manager. ARRL Special Services Clubs appoint HF Awards Managers whose names are on file at HQ. If you do not know of an HF Awards Manager in your local area, call a club officer to see if one has been appointed. If you can have your applications so verified locally, you need not submit your cards to HQ via the mails. Otherwise, send your application and cards to HQ, as indicated on the application form.

* Be sure that when cards are presented for verification (either locally or to HQ) to sort them alphabetically by state, as listed on the Record Sheet.

 * All QSL cards sent to HQ must be accompanied by sufficient postage for their safe return (registered mail is recommended because it is traceable). Fifty (50) QSL cards typically weigh approximately 6 ounces.

* All applications sent to HQ must include the appropriate fee(s):

• $10 for each WAS certificate or $15 for each WAS certificate and pin (the fee includes any endorsements on the same application)

• $7.50 per endorsement application (if applying for multiple endorsements on the same application, with the same 50 QSL cards, the fee remains $7.50) Example: 10 Meters and Novice

      Some important things to note about your field checked DXCC application:

1.  Use the current application form available on the DXCC website:   www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc  Application forms that are more than two years old are not accepted.

2.  Sort your cards by band (80, 40, 30, 20...), then mode within each band (Phone, CW, RTTY...) and by the entity sequence (within each mode) of the DXCC List (1A0, 3A 3B6, 3B8, 3B9, ....).  Cards with more than one QSO should be listed at the end of The Record Sheets in entity sequence.

3.  Dates must be in DD/MM/YY format.

4.  Bring a business size stamped envelope addressed to DXCC Desk, ARRL HQ, 225 Main Street , Newington , CT   06111 with enough postage to mail your application and record sheets.

5.  Be sure you have no 160 meter contacts or deleted entities -- those cannot be field checked.

6.  It would be a good idea to make  photo copies of your application and record sheets and bring the copies with you.  In the event your application is lost in the U. S. Postal Service (not an uncommon problem these days) I will have a duplicate copy to send to HQ without having to check your cards a second time.  This is not a requirement but an option -- sort of like an insurance policy.

7.  Bring a check or money order payable to ARRL to cover fees, including return postage from DXCC Desk to your QTH.  Using a credit card to pay for the DXCC Award fees is also an option.  Cash is not accepted.