To further boost enthusiasm for the ARRL Centennial QSO Party, the League will sponsor a “Red Badges on the Air” activity on June 1 (UTC). The object is to provide an opportunity for Centennial QSO Party participants to work more ARRL officers, elected officials — such as Director or Section Manager — and Headquarters staffers and volunteers, which offer higher point value in the yearlong event.

“The badges they wear at hamfests, conventions, and other formal occasions are red, hence the term ‘Red Badges on the Air,’” explained ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. “ARRL members around the world are excited about the Centennial QSO Party. Activity on the bands is noticeably improved, and more contacts are being made than ever.” QSOs with “Red Badges” are worth a lot of points — as much as 300 points per contact for working ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN — so participants can increase their Centennial QSO Party tally very quickly.

Kutzko stressed that the event is “an activity day, not a contest.” There is no required amount of operating time. Participants can call “CQ ARRL Centennial QSO Party” on phone or “CQ CENT” on CW or digital modes. While the event is focused on encouraging those with ARRL red badges to hand out Centennial QSO Party points, all activity is welcome, regardless of point value; every ARRL member is worth at least one point in the Centennial QSO Party. Participants get credit for each band/mode contact, regardless of point value. ARRL Centennial QSO Party participants can use the leader board to determine how many points they have accumulated.

Other high-point contacts include: president emeritus (PE) or past president (PP), 275 points; honorary vice president (HVP) or ARRL vice president (VP), 250 points; director (DIR), director emeritus (DE), or past vice president (PVP), 225 points; vice director (VD), 200 points; section manager (SM), 175 points; ARRL officer (OFF) or past director (PD), 150 points, and past vice director (PV), 125 points.

W100AW, charter life member (CLM), or past section manager (PSM), 100 points.

ARRL Headquarters department managers (DM), 75 points; ARRL Headquarters staffers/volunteers, (HQ), 50 points; assistant director (AD), 40 points, and NCJ editor and QST columnists, 30 points.