I was sad to hear about the demise of CQ Magazine earlier this year. Somewhat heartening was the fact that the CQ contests appeared to continue without much of a hiccup. That was due to a team of volunteers at the World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF), who took up the banner and keep some of the most popular contests alive.
But what about the many CQ sponsored operating awards? CQ’s Worked All Zones Award (WAZ) is one the oldest operating awards in existence. The Worked All Prefixes Award (WPX) is an expansive awards program with lots of band, mode and continent endorsements.
Both of these continue to show up in the Logbook of the World system and applications can still be submitted for new awards and endorsements (as of November 28, 2024). But some reports on message boards indicate that applications are not being acted upon.
Will some group offer to pick up the pieces and save WAZ and WPX? Something like this has already happened for the Counties Award (USA-CA). The Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club (MARAC) took over sponsorship of the USA-CA. Their award certificate looks essentially the same as the CQ Magazine version.
I have gotten word from Jose Castillo (N4BAA) that he will continue to manage the CQ WAZ award. He also indicated that changes are coming to the WPX program, offering another ray of hope for that awards program.
What can you do in the meantime, or even if those transitioning efforts fail? There are a couple of different organizations that offer award synonyms for both WAZ and WPX. So you can still chase after CQ Zones and prefixes and track your progress.
I’m thankful that I received my WAZ and WPX certificates before CQ’s demise. Since I’ve been licensed we’ve now lost 3 significant Amateur Radio publications (Ham Radio, 73 and CQ). It’s not the best way to end 2024. I think we need Ham Radio publications, even if transitioning to digital is inevitable, and hope you’ll offer your support for those that remain.
The WAZ program is still quite active. Award Manager Jose, N4BAA has been very active in issuing new awards and endorsements. See his web page(s)
at or check Facebook at
WPX, on the other hand, seems to be moribund with ARRL staff indicating no communication with anyone representing that program in a considerable period of time. The former WPX Award Manager, Steve Bolia, N8BJQ, was attempting to find a successor at the time CQ Magazine folded.
The CQDX and CQ Field award programs appear to be in the same condition as WPX – little or no visibility/response from their former Award Managers.
I’m very sad to hear about WPX, CQ DX and CQ Field potentially going away. Maybe CQ DX is somewhat superfluous but the other two provide some award variety and I’d like to see them stick around.
And with WPX, it’s already integrated with LoTW. If one merely makes it a LoTW only award the administration overhead has to be rather minimal.
I sent off my first ever WPX application to Steve in Jan 2025 and wondered why I had no received any return communication.
So what happened to the QSL cards and payments that were sent with the most recent applications?
I had requested Honor Role status so is that another 600+ cards that I’ll need to collect? LOTW is not an option for me here in the UK
Why is LoTW not an option for the UK? ARRL membership is not required to use LoTW regardless of where you live.
As for what happened to your cards, I cannot say I’m afraid. I’ve only used LoTW for WPX applications and “lost in the mail” scenarios are one of the reasons I’m happy to pay for LoTW fees to avoid this.
Good luck!
Unknowingly I recently applied for the WPX award and the ARRL was quite happy to take my $60. Now I learn that the program does not have a manager. So is the ARRL knowingly ripping people off?
I don’t think the ARRL is trying to rip anyone off. I do think that the LoTW website should disable the ability to apply for WPX awards for the time being until Dick Ross’ family sorts out his estate and they figure out who will lead the WPX program going forward.
Keep your “receipts” in the meantime and I think things will get sorted out eventually. I certainly would not advise applying for any other WPX awards or endorsements until that does occur.
Good luck!