The Tropic of Cancer is an imaginary line of latitude along the surface of the Earth. It lies along the northernmost points where the Sun can appear directly overhead at the time of the June solstice. The FT8 Digital Mode Club (FT8DMC) sponsors the Tropic of Cancer Award for working Amateur Radio stations in countries through which the line traverses.
In total there are 18 countries touching at least part of the line. But the entry level Bronze award requires you work just 6 of those 18 countries. The Silver award requires 12 countries and the top Gold award requires working all 18 countries.
The TCAN certificate features a world map showing the line of the Tropic of Cancer and lists the countries bisected by the line.
To apply for TCAN, and all other FT8DMC awards, you must install the UltimateAAC application on a Windows machine. That application scans your WSJT-X ADIF log file and will inform you when you’ve qualified for the award at various levels. FT8DMC issues the award in digital form only (JPG or PDF) with no printing or shipping costs. In fact, the award is completely free, like all of their other awards.