WPX Award

WPX Award. The WPX Award is a prestigious international program administered by CQ Amateur Radio magazine to recognize amateur radio operators for contacting a specified number of unique call sign prefixes from around the world. It is one of the most popular and long-standing operating achievements in the ham radio community, encouraging competitive activity known as DXing and participation in global amateur radio contests. The award scheme has multiple endorsement levels and has evolved significantly since its inception, fostering a spirit of competition and international goodwill on the amateur radio bands.

Overview

The program is centered on the collection of verified confirmations, known as QSL cards or electronic equivalents, for contacts with distinct prefixes. These contacts are typically made during specialized WPX Contest events or through general on-air activity across various radio frequency bands and modes, including single-sideband modulation and Morse code. Management and verification of submissions are handled by the award manager at CQ Amateur Radio, with records maintained in a central database. Successful participants receive distinctive certificates and plaques, symbolizing a high level of dedication and skill in global communications.

Award Categories

Several distinct categories exist to accommodate different operating styles and station capabilities. The primary classification is the Mixed mode award, which counts contacts made using any transmission mode, while separate endorsements are available for specific modes like Continuous Wave and Radio teletype. Awards are further divided by band, with specific honors for achievements on the 160-meter band, 80-meter band, and higher frequency VHF spectra. Special plaques are often awarded to top scorers in major contests like the CQ World Wide WPX Contest, and a unique endorsement exists for contacting prefixes listed in the proprietary WPX Prefix List.

Qualification and Scoring

Operators must submit logs or card copies as proof of contact to the award committee for official adjudication. The fundamental scoring metric is the total number of unique prefixes confirmed, with each prefix counting only once regardless of how many times contact was made with stations in that prefix block. Specific rules govern the identification of valid prefixes, particularly for special event stations and portable operations from entities like the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Higher-level endorsements, such as the coveted "Five Band WPX" honor, require confirmed contacts on five different amateur radio frequency allocations including the 20-meter band.

Historical Background

The concept was introduced in the pages of CQ Amateur Radio magazine in 1952, created by noted amateur radio author and editor Clinton B. DeSoto. Its creation was directly inspired by the growing popularity of DXCC, another premier award program run by the American Radio Relay League. Initially based on paper QSL cards mailed to the award manager, the program adapted to technological changes with the advent of computerized logging and online verification databases. The separate WPX Contest was launched later to stimulate activity and provide a focused opportunity for operators to pursue the award.

Notable Recipients

Many renowned figures in the amateur radio world have earned high-level endorsements, reflecting decades of dedicated operating. This includes legendary DXpedition organizers like Bob Allphin (K4UEE) and Rudy Hornik (OK1RP), who have activated rare prefixes from remote locations such as Peter I Island and Spratly Islands. Top contesters, including top-ranked CQ World Wide DX Contest participants, frequently appear on the leaderboards. The award has also been achieved by operators from major amateur radio organizations including the Japan Amateur Radio League and the Radio Society of Great Britain, demonstrating its global appeal.