Part of our Getting On The Air guide.
Worked All States, usually just called WAS, is one of the most approachable awards in the hobby, and it is a genuinely satisfying long-term goal for anyone who operates HF regularly, without needing rare DX or contest-level effort to complete.
What the Award Actually Requires
WAS requires confirmed two-way contacts with all 50 US states, on any band, any mode, at any time, with no requirement that all 50 be worked in a single session or even the same year. This makes it a background goal you can chip away at during normal operating rather than a dedicated contest weekend push.
What Counts as a Confirmation
ARRL’s Logbook of the World is the modern standard for WAS confirmations, letting you claim contacts electronically without physical QSL cards once both stations have uploaded matching log entries to LoTW. Paper QSL cards remain valid too, for hams who prefer the traditional route or are working with stations that do not use LoTW.
Tracking Your Progress
Most logging software, including the tools covered in earlier posts on this site like Ham Radio Deluxe, Log4OM, and cloud logging platforms like Club Log, has a built-in WAS tracker that shows which states you still need at a glance. Rather than manually cross-referencing a list, let your logging software do this bookkeeping automatically as you log contacts.
Actually Applying
Once you have confirmed all 50 states, ARRL’s award application process runs through LoTW directly for electronic confirmations, or through a mailed application with your QSL cards for the paper route. There is a modest fee, and ARRL membership affects pricing, but the application itself is straightforward once your confirmations are actually in place.
Why It Is Worth Pursuing
Once WAS is done, Worked All Continents (WAC) is a natural next award to chase.
WAS gives new HF operators a concrete, achievable goal that naturally teaches you about propagation, band selection, and the value of consistent operating over time. Unlike DXCC, which can take real dedication to complete, WAS is genuinely reachable for most active HF operators within a year or two of regular activity.