Just 2 days ago I received a QRZ automated email notice that I have recently qualified for a "new" award; The Friendship something or other... with congratulations. Interestingly enough; I do not participate in contests, have not been actively DX'ing for well over a year, I have not used my QRZ log book for over 5 1/2 years, (I found it to be non-intuitive and unreliable) and in fact have never utilized any other online or web based logbook - At All. And still, I've suddenly qualified for a QRZ award. Although, as a long time licensed operator I certainly appreciate the gesture from QRZ, I'm not likely to pay the fee to have the "official" QRZ award certificate printed and sent to me, so that I may hang it on my shack wall. Amateur radio always has been and to this day remains - a "hobbie" to me. 73' Ren
As you noted, you have not used your QRZ logbook in recent years; nevertheless it still exists. Upon analyzing the existing entries against the rules for the Friendship award, the system has noted that you qualify for the award. There is no cost to apply for any of our online awards nor is it necessary to accept them. If accepted, the credit for having achieved it is noted on your callsign page. A printed certificate is available for purchase should one be desired, again this is totally optional. Go to your callsign page; click on ACCOUNT on the pop up menu at your right hand callsign and scroll down to LOGBOOK OPTIONS and choose: Show the Awards tab and badges on my callsign page? Enabled Disabled
How about something like northern stations, ie. Worked 10 above 60N in at least N countries (pick some N, there's not that many, 5, 6?). Wouldn't be THAT easy, would it? Not a lot of stations there.
Just what ham radio needs, more egotistical warm fuzzies no one cares about clogging up the airwaves. And hams wonder why the hobby is dying.