The  Prefix Award Program
Operated by The Troy Amateur Radio Association [TARA] ~ rev: 1/16/16 ~
Manager: Ernie, WM2U

Starting Out
The starting point for all of the grid awards is the Basic Requirement. You earn this by working digital mode stations in different prefixes around the world, and can claim the total number of grid squares confirmed.

1)  The Troy Amateur Radio Association [TARA]  recognizes the achievements of Amateur Radio Operators world wide, for confirming two way communication by offering a Digital Prefix Awards Program. 
This award is available in RTTY, JTx, Olivia and PSK but more are coming out just ask!! [see list below]

2) To apply for your Basic Requirement certificate, all applicants must submit a copy of their prefix list in alpha-numeric order, in the mode they are claiming. This therefore is the total of all different prefixes found in that Mode taken from all Bands. The prefixes count only once for the Basic Requirement.

3) You can also earn this award in the Mixed category. Mixed includes all of the digital modes listed in #1 above, including any combination thereof. (Note that CW is not included in Mixed, either.) If you want to include digital modes not listed above, please make a request as listed above.
  • Special Note: Previous rules for the TARA Prefix Awards  required earning the Basic Requirement (then called the Basic Certificate) prior to claiming a Mixed award. We have eliminated that rule and simplified the requirements as of 29 October 2015.
All QSO's must be confirmed either by QSL card, eQSL, QRZ Logbook or LoTW and will produce them to the TARA-PX Award manager upon request. Do NOT send QSL cards unless requested to do so.
If your application includes columns that show confirmation in one of the above confirmation methods, that will be taken as a signed certification of QSO confirmation. If your application does not include those columns please copy the certification statement shown at the end of this text and include it at the bottom of your email application.

Don't forget to include your full name, address, call sign and snail mail address with any and all applications.
There is no start date so dig deep into your log and claim those past digital contacts.
This is an Amateur achievement award, not a location award, so your contacts count from where ever YOU made them.
The table below shows a short list of digital modes with the required number of confirmed and different prefixes needed to claim your Basic Requirement.
The Endorsement increment for each is also shown.

The fee schedule for these awards can be viewed at awards pricing As of 20th November 2015 there will be a minimum PayPal charge of $5.50
Please checkout the example of excel  file and see how you can file your claims easily. ie Prefix, Band, Continent.
My files are kept in Excel. I will check it make changes where necessary. A copy of your 'master' files will be emailed to you on request.  

Each time you apply for an endorsement to increase the number of Prefixes claimed, simply submit a new copy of your excel sheet. In the case of Band and Mode basic certificates, please send these each to their own excel page/sheet and on making further endorsements simply submit your updated Band or Mode list.
These should be emailed  to the TARA-PX Award Manager at :WM2U

Mode Basic
Requirement		 Endorsement
Increments
Mixed 400 50
Rtty 300 50
SSTV 50 50
PSK 300 50
MT63 50 50
Throb 50 50
MFSK 200 50
JT65 300 50
Hell... 100 50
Olivia 50 50
     
All successful applicants will have their respective Prefix achievements, permanently  displayed on the TARA OnLine Award Record. (OLAR)
Regardless of the method of generation, CW is not considered a valid mode for this award.
The certificate(s) will be mailed out unfolded in a 9x12 envelope.
Any licensed Amateur world wide can claim this award. You do not need to be a member of a club to apply.
Check out the certificate available. click here
Applications for Basic Requirement
  • Send a copy of your prefix list.  Please checkout the table above. The requirements are different for each mode. Read the requirements as outlined above.
  • The MIXED MODE rule has changed. Consider it has a catch-all of any mode thus producing a grand total of ALL your prefixes from whatever mode or band. In fact if you collect only one mode such as PSK you can also make a Mixed Award out of just your PSK. This is allows you to add any previous confirmed QSO's or future QSO's that you might make.
  • Please see this example of excel file. The Dark Blue Tabs are the Prefix entries the others are Grid Award.
  • You can include any number of Prefix, Band and/or Continent endorsements in a single application/claim package. Make sure that you send your latest, updated Prefix, Band and/or Continent list when claiming endorsements.  This way it cuts down the amount of paperwork in the files and/or computer memory. :)
  • Operating Modes include: RTTY, PSK, JT65, RTTY, THROB, MFSK, HELL, and more... Please note that all the sub modes of these various modes are included in the parent mode. ie. in PSK, BPSK, QPSK, PSK63, PSK10 etc.  JT65 (JT9 subs etc.)
Application for Endorsements:
  • For each Prefix endorsement upgrade please submit an updated copy of your prefix list. (increments of 50)
  • To claim Band and Continent endorsements for the Basic Requirement Mode that you hold, a separate, updated list showing your claimed prefixes. ie List of all your 20 meter prefixes, and/or a list of all European prefixes etc. Submit any number of different endorsement applications/claims in one package.
    Note: the Band and Continent Endorsements are a one time endorsement. You can claim these for the specified number of confirmed contacts as shown below.
    Note: in answer to a participants question; If you work the same Call on different Bands that call counts on each Band claim.
  • Enter the complete call letters in alphabetical order, and make sure that any portable prefix listed on the application as a prefix, ie G3/WM2U even if local laws require its use as a suffix, such as VE3ABC/W3.  G3/WM2U would count as G3.If you work J66ABC and then J6/WM2U you are allowed to count these as two separate prefixes. J6 and J66.
    Proper authorized prefixes only. Maritime and interim license class prefixes do not count. ie /AG, /AE etc.
  • Any portable prefixes without numbers must be designated zero (0). AIR counts as AI0.
  • In the case of separate countries which have the same prefix but are identified by the first letter of their suffix such as VP2EBR (Turks & Caicos) and VP2MDY (Montserrat), their prefixes, in this case would then be VP2E and VP2M respectively.
  • Band endorsements are available. [see table below]. To claim any Band Endorsement you must hold that Bands Basic Requirement.
  • Continent endorsements are available. [see table below] To claim any Continent Endorsement you must hold that Continents Basic Requirement.
  • It is highly recommended that the stickers, BARS and endorsements be mounted on the relevant sheet using Stamp Hinges. Many thanks to Sid Grimes, KK8X for finding this OnLine outlet for those hinges. Take a look at The Hobby Lobby then click on "Hobbies", then search for "Stamp Hinges" 
    I did buy them at OfficeMax a few years ago. Staples could also handle them.
Continent Requirements
Asia
Africa
Europe
N. America
S. America
Oceania
AS
AF
EU
NA
SA
OC		 75
90
160
160
95
60

Band

Mix

RTTY

SSTV

PSK

MT63

Throb

MFSK

Hell

JT65

Olivia
160m
80m
40m
30m
20m
17m
15m
12m
10m
6m		 45
180
240
45
300
45
300
45
300
90		 38
150
200
38
250
38
250
38
250
75		 8
30
40
8
50
8
50
75
50
15		 38
150
200
38
250
38
250
38
250
75		 8
30
40
8
50
8
50
75
50
15		 8
30
40
8
50
8
50
75
50
15		 30
120
160
30
200
30
200
30
200
60		 15
60
80
15
100
15
100
15
100
30		  38
 150
 200
 38
 250
 38
 250
 38
 250
 75		 8
30
40
8
50
8
50
75
50
15

Please read the following and note that by implication, when you email the above endorsements you are agreeing with the pledge.

I certify that I have worked and have QSL card or eQSL proof of contact confirming the Callsign, Date, Band and Mode for each of my claimed contacts, and will produce them to the TARA-PX Award Manager upon request. I understand that this application may be rejected if I fail to submit the required information upon request, or if there is any doubt about the authenticity. I also agree to abide by the decisions of the TARA Officers.