There are many awards you can chase that base achievements on the number of grids worked. Maidenhead grid squares were introduced in 1980 to replace the QRA locator system used for VHF activity in Europe. The new grid scheme could be applied worldwide and its popularity exploded. Though originally intended for VHF/UHF operations, its use has spread to HF operating as well.
For many, the ultimate grid based award is the VHF/UHF Century Club (VUCC) from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). For the 6M band or above, work and confirm contacts with stations in 100 different grids and the award is yours. The number of bands required for VUCC actually decrease at 222 MHz and above, going as low as 5 grids required for 3.4 GHz or above. See the official VUCC rules for more details.
Many sponsors offer VUCC synonym awards but there are also some grid themed awards with a bit of a twist. FT8 has greatly expanded the use of grids on the HF bands. And now there are many awards which track the number of unique grids worked below 6M. There are even awards which apply only to grids which a singular country occupies. The ARRL’s Fred Fish Memorial Award (FFMA) was perhaps the first example of this.
Here is a sampling of some of the grid awards you can chase on the bands.
| Area | Awards |
| Worldwide | Grid Square Award Locators VHF/UHF Century Club (VUCC) Worked Grid Award (ERC) Worked Grid Award (FT8DMC) Worked VHF Grid Award |
| Argentina | Grid LU Award |
| Indonesia | Indonesia Grid Locators |
| Germany | Grid DL Award |
| Japan | Worked All Japan Grid Squares Worked Grid Japan |
| New Zealand | Worked ZL Grid Square Award |
| Spain | Worked Grid Spain |
| United States | FFMA Worked Grids USA Worked US Grid Square Award |