250th Anniversary of the United States of America - QRZ Award Earned!

Today, I earned the QRZ award that began on January 1, 2026, called the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. I completed more than the required 250 US radio contacts on January 2, 2026; though, it took until 2026-01-05 18:48:37 to reach 250 confirmed contacts and earn the award. I am the 180th radio amateur to earn the award.

Flag of the United States of America

250th Anniversary of the United States of America

NJ2X was #178 among the first 180 people to earn the award

A big THANK YOU to QRZ for promoting amateur radio by sponsoring innovative and fun awards. I really enjoyed kicking off the New Year by celebrating the birth of our great nation with amateur radio. I am looking forward to helping other radio amateurs earn this award by answering their calls, logging and confirming the contacts. See you on the radio.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

250th Anniversary of the United States of America - Day 1 update

QRZ.com has created a new award called, '250th Anniversary of the United States of America' that began on January 1, 2026. I was delighted to see it appear on the QRZ.com website and I decided to dive in to see how fast I could complete the award. I confirmed 100 entities on 1/2/2026 20:40 UTC.

I noticed this morning several stations that have started using '250' when calling. Fun!

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

2100 US Counties Confirmed on QRZ.com

Tonight (January 13, 2024), I completed and confirmed my 2100th unique US County contact with Shaun (KQ4HUU) located in Carlisle County, Kentucky.  Thank you, Shaun, for Carlisle County and the new milestone on my journey to completing and confirming contacts with all 3,007 US Counties on QRZ.com.

My Q-rate for new county contacts has steadily and noticeably declined.  Gone are the days where I could make new county contacts all day and night long.  I am lucky if I can make a couple of new ones each week.  This certainly makes the hunt more interesting.

Accelerating my Q-rate with new county contacts means doing something different than randomly listening and pouncing.  At my present declining rate, it is apparent that I simply won't make contact with all US counties in my lifetime.

To increase the possibility of receiving help from hams operating in counties that I need, I signed up on The County Hunter Web.  The site has a "Special Needs" page where hams can advertise the specific counties that they are chasing.  The idea is that hams will read these pages and offer help when they are able.  I decided to only add the states where I need a critical few rare-DX counties.  I haven't received any offers for help yet for the few states and counties I added.  It would be wonderful if I do.

I have tried directly contacting hams in counties that I need to inquire if they would be interested in setting up a sked.  So far, this approach hasn't borne fruit.  I have had no success in arranging skeds with this method in spite of many hours of research and sending emails. Nevertheless, the idea is sound and likely required.  Eventually, I will need to arrange help to make contacts with some of the more rare-DX US counties (e.g., Greenlee County, AZ).

A variant I have tried is to join various repeaters in counties I need using Allstar Net or EchoLink and make a call to ask for help on HF.  This approach actually has worked, and I was able to schedule and log HF contacts this way.  Unfortunately, most of the time when I drop my call on a repeater in this way, I receive no response - silence.  I have concluded that repeaters in rare-DX counties are rarely used.  In general, I enjoy this approach since it involves radio and also for the random fun factor.

Another possibility is to travel (or near) the counties I need to log contacts that way.  This is a rather expensive proposition in terms of time, money, and effort.  However, it worth considering when incidentally travelling.  The obvious mode and band choice in this scenario would be FM on UHF or VFH for portability and making local line-of-sight contacts.

I have accumulated several states where I only need one or two more county contacts to complete the state.  If you happen to live in one these counties or nearby and would be willing to help me out, please send me an email to set up a sked with me.  I would greatly appreciate the help.

• Maine - Somerset County
• Vermont - Grand Isle County
• New Jersey - Hudson County
• Maryland - Kent County, Worchester County
• Arizona - Greenlee County
• Virgin Islands - Saint John County

If you are an amateur radio County hunter, please leave a comment with what you have found to work well for you.  It would be wonderful to learn from you.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

2000 US Counties Confirmed on QRZ.com

A big THANK YOU to Jay (K4JND) in Webster County, Kentucky for confirming my 2000th United States unique County contact on QRZ.com.

2000 is a major milestone toward completing contacts with all 3007 US Counties (66%).  I have noticed that hunting counties has become more difficult as I approach the goal line.  My Q-rate with new counties has dropped off noticeably since I reached 1900 Counties on May 27, 2023.  Fortunately, the fun is in the hunt and not in the destination.  The more challenging each new US County contact becomes, the more I enjoy it.

  

I have noticed an increase in county contacts that do not use LoTW.  I use LoTW as my primary logbook and contact confirmations.  It is a bit of a disappointment to make contact with a rare-DX US County and then discover that the radio amateur does not use LoTW.  It does help knowing that many hams eventually find their way to LoTW after having operating without it for awhile.  If you are not using LoTW, I highly recommend it.  LoTW adds a new dimension to the hobby and makes it much easier to go after challenging awards.

Interestingly, I have managed to confirm contacts with all the counties of a given state, with four states (8%). It seems to me this can be explained by the unequal distribution of radio amateurs. There will be more people (and hams operating) in counties with metropolitan areas and less in more rural areas.  For example, Greenlee Arizona is my final missing AZ County (named after Mason Greenlee, early prospector).  Greenlee County, AZ shows 39 licensed amateur radio operators on the QRZ.com county search.  Do you live in or operate in Greenlee County, AZ?  If yes, please contact me so we can set up a sked.

Are you a US County hunter?  If yes, how do you find and confirm those rare-DX US Counties?  Please leave a comment below.

Are you a US County hunter in need of Santa Cruz County, California?  If yes, be sure to let me know if you would like to set up a sked.

Onward to 2100!

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

1900 US Counties Confirmed on QRZ.com

A BIG thank you to Richard, N7WFK, located in Canadian County, Oklahoma, for being my 1900th United States County contact confirmed on LoTW and QRZ.com (1900 out of 3,007).

I noticed that it took me much longer to complete the last 100 Counties than it did to go from 1700 to 1800 Counties.  My q-rate for making contacts with new US Counties has noticeably decreased.  All the same, I am undeterred as completing contacts with all 3,007 US Counties is a long-term goal.  One thing that I have learned in life is to enjoy the journey more than the arriving at the destination.

Chasing US Counties is great fun and if you are looking for a new challenge in amateur radio, I encourage you to dive in.  You may be surprised how far you have progressed already.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

1800 US Counties Confirmed on QRZ.com

A big THANK YOU to K5CBS (Cecil in Stone County, Mississippi) for the 20m contact and being my 1800th US County confirmed contact on LoTW (out of 3,007).

It has been a slow and steady process of accumulating County contacts.  I use the Logbook of The World (LoTW) to confirm contacts and load confirmations into QRZ.com.  That adds an extra layer of difficulty as there are hams operating from desirable and somewhat rare County locations that do not use the LoTW.  Fortunately, most hams do use LoTW.

One of the fun aspects of chasing US County contacts is learning about all the interesting County names.  For example, I learned tonight that there are three Stone Counties in the United States.  So far I have confirmed one of three.

• Stone County, AR
• Stone County, MO
• Stone County, MS - Confirmed

Chasing US Counties is great fun and if you are looking for a new challenge in amateur radio I encourage you to dive in.  You may be surprised how far you have progressed already.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

Confirmed contacts in 1700 US Counties

Amateur radio is magical in many ways.  Just when you think you have hit a plateau in chasing DX contacts, a new one pops up and into the log.  Making contacts is just as much fun now as it was long ago when I started in ham radio.  The excitement of making new contacts never dulls.

I thought my Q-rate for new Counties had been slowing down.  I had some time off during the holiday with rainy weather that gave me more time to play on the radio.  The was just what I needed to knock out 100 new Counties.

NJ2X confirmed contacts with 1700 US Counties via QRZ.com

Thank you to 1700 hams who have helped me complete and confirm contacts with 1700 different US Counties so far.  This milestone, though far from the finish line, is a remarkable number that reminds me that it just may be possible to complete contacts in each of the 3,007 US Counties.  Ham radio helps us see that we can do what we set our minds to it.

I only have a couple of Counties to go in each of several states.  Looking forward to completing all such occurrences in the coming year.  I would love to hear from you if you happen to operate an amateur radio station from these Counties.

• VT - Bennington, Franklin, Grand Isle, Orleans Counties
• NJ - Hudson County
• AZ - Greenlee County

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

12 Days of QRZ Award 2022

I have been having amateur radio fun with the new 12 Days of QRZ Award for 2022.  Starting on December 1, 2022, the award can be earned by logging and confirming contacts 12 days through February 28, 2023 on QRZ.com.  

The award can be earned with mixed contacts across any band and also per band.  So far, I have earned the award on 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, and 17m.  I just need a couple more confirmed contacts to complete the 15m and 10m awards.  A total of 6,288 radio amateurs have earned the award at the time of this writing. 

You can find complete details here: QRZ Operating Awards Homepage - 12 Days of QRZ (2022)

There is plenty of time to earn this fun award.  A big THANK YOU to QRZ for their support of amateur radio through their various engaging awards programs.  I am enjoying pursuing awards and staying active in the hobby very much.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

The fun of receiving a LoTW confirmation for a DX contact long ago

Today, I am reminded of the fun of receiving a LoTW confirmation for a DX contact made long ago.  This morning, I received a confirmation from 2013 for a SSB contact with a station in Ireland.  

2013-10-27 18:05:00

10M

SSB

28.62100

IRELAND

Ordinarily, a confirmation that is not received within a relatively short period of a few months is one that will likely never be received.  

Flag of Ireland

I really appreciate hams who take the time to upload their logs to the LoTW since leads to confirming contacts which helps everyone.  For many of us, the LoTW is our primary means for tracking awards.  I use the LoTW confirmations to earn both ARRL awards like DXCC and WAS as well as the QRZ awards like the United States Counties Award.  

I have a nice QSL card collection that I enjoy browsing and sharing with others.  I haven't used any of the cards I have received for earning awards.  I much prefer the simplicity and ease of earning awards through LoTW confirmations.  

A single confirmation on LoTW could help someone complete an award they have been working toward for many years and make their day brighter.  If you are a ham who is not yet using the ARRL logbook of the world, please consider joining in the fun and uploading your logs.  No doubt you will give many hams a happy surprise confirmation on the LoTW.

If you are already using the LoTW and have logs that you haven't uploaded yet, please consider taking the time to do so.  There are hams who would greatly appreciate your confirmation on LoTW.

Blessings to all in the coming New Year.  See you on the radio.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

1600 US Counties Confirmed on QRZ.com

Tonight, I completed and confirmed contact my 1600th US County with a 40m contact with Jason N2NVY in North Carolina.  Thank you, Jason, for the fine business contact and QSL.

I have noticed that it is becoming more difficult to find new US Counties to make contact with.  I am now over the midpoint, so this trend is likely to continue.  Chasing US Counties is a challenging endeavor and one that may or not ever be completed.  I am having a lot of fun on the journey.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

1,500 US Counties Confirmed on QRZ.com

Made good progress hunting US Counties over the prior month confirming 100 new ones on QRZ.com.  Confirming all 3007 is a labor of love and I am not 49.9% there.  Not sure I will actually reach 100%.  All the same, I enjoy the process and challenge.

1500 US States Confirmed on QRZ.com

North Dakota and South Dakota seemed to be my most challenging States.  I often wonder if I have an antenna null toward ND and SD?   

I have a feeling completing contacts with all AK Counties could be the most difficult in the long run given the enormity of the State and the relatively small, concentrated population.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

1,400 US Counties Confirmed on QRZ.COM

US County hunting is a long difficult process.  It is good to celebrate milestones along the journey.  Today, I confirmed 1400 US Counties on QRZ.com.  It is a step forward toward completing contacts with all 3,007 US Counties in the 50 states. 

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

Confirmed contacts with 10 out 10 New Hampshire Counties

I have been slowly accumulating United States County contacts toward the QRZ.com United States Counties Award.  This is a rather ambitious award (at least for me) as there are 3007 US Counties.  It certainly takes patience to work and confirm contacts with them all.  As with any challenging journey, it is important to stop and smell the roses when they appear.

I recently confirmed my last New Hampshire County (10 out of 10) with a 30m FT8 contact with W1GQQ (Alan) located in Coos County, NH.  That brings my total number of States completed toward the United States Counties Award to five.  Just 45 more US States to go! :-)

Flag of the great State of New Hampshire

The great State of New Hampshire is also well known as the Live Free or Die State.  Each time I see the state's motto, I am reminded of the spirit of fierce American independence conveyed by Patrick Henry's 1775 speech.

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" -- Patrick Henry, 1775

Are you collecting US County contacts?  If yes, what is your strategy?  Do you happen to know someone who has successfully completed this award?  How did they go about it?  Please leave a comment.  Would love to hear from you.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

Confirmed 8 out of 8 Connecticut County Contacts

I have been slowly accumulating United States County contacts toward the QRZ.com United States Counties Award.  This is a rather ambitious award (at least for me) as there are 3007 US Counties.  It certainly takes patience to work and confirm contacts with them all.  As with any challenging journey, it is important to stop and smell the roses when they appear.

I recently confirmed my last Connecticut County (8 out of 8) with a 10m FT8 contact with KG5TA (Gregory) located in Windham County, CT.  That brings my total number of States completed toward the United States Counties Award to four.  Just 46 more US States to go! :-)

1. Fairfield County ✓
2. Hartford County ✓
3. Litchfield County ✓
4. Middlesex County ✓
5. New Haven County ✓
6. New London County ✓
7. Tolland County ✓
8. Windham County ✓

State flag of Connecticut

Are you collecting US County contacts?  If yes, what is your strategy?  Do you happen to know someone who has successfully completed this award?  How did they go about it?  Please leave a comment.  Would love to hear from you.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

1000 Counties confirmed on QRZ.com

Thanks to Doug, W5VAX in Bryan, OK for confirming my1000th US County on QRZ.com today.  I am now 33% complete.  Only 2,007 US Counties yet to confirm.  :-)

I reached 800 Counties Confirmed on qrz.com on July 17, 2021.  I have noticed that that rate of QSO's with new Counties is growing slower.  My hypothesis is that the first thousand US County contacts were in places with generally a higher density of active hams.

I have also noticed a fair number of my contacts don't upload their QSO data to qrz.com.  That is a pity as it makes it much more difficult to complete awards.  Hoping more hams join in the fun.

Not sure I will ever complete contacts with all US Counties.  It sure is fun trying.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

2021 - My amateur radio year in review

I enjoy chasing amateur radio awards. Periodically, I like to stand back and take a look at my progress toward my award related goals. The New Year is a perfect time for reflection and evaluation.   Here are a few statistics I collected related to my amateur radio operations for 2021 as of January 1, 2022.

Logbook of the World

• Total QSO records = 10,180 
• Total QSL records = 6,388
• WAS 5-Band progress = 243/250 = 97% 
• DXCC Challenge progress = 561/1000 = 56%
• DXCC 20m progress = 96/100 = 96%
• DXCC 15m progress = 96/100 = 96%
• DXCC 10m progress = 85/100 = 85%
• DXCC 40m progress = 79/100 = 79%
• DXCC 30m progress = 55/100 = 55%
• DXCC 80m progress = 21/100 = 21%

QRZ.com

• Number of grid squares confirmed = 853
• Number of US Counties confirmed = 940
• Number of bands with confirmed continents award = 6 
• Number of bands with all 50 states confirmed = 5
• Leaderboard:
• Most Confirmed QSOs = #9,636 (4,940 QSOs)
• Most Countries Worked = #11,903 (140 QSOs)
• Most Band-Countries Worked = #9,175 (532 QSOs)

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

800 Counties Confirmed on qrz.com

There are a lot of US Counties!  To be exact, there are 3,007 US counties according to the US Census Bureau.  I am collecting them one at a time on amateur radio with confirmed contacts tracked on qrz.com as part of United States Counties Award.

So far, my strategy is to simply make random QSOs without regard to County location.  That will likely change if I ever decide I want to fill County gaps and make contacts with stations in less populated Counties.

Today I hit 800 confirmed US Counties out of 3,006 which is 26.6%.  Only 2,206 US Counties to go!  I have confirmed contacts with all Counties in three States.

Good DX and 73, NJ2X

750 unique US State Counties confirmed on QRZ

A big THANK YOU to AA2EC, Ellie Mae, for completing my 750th confirmed unique US State county contact on QRZ.  Ellie Mae's QTH is in Columbia County, New York.  Ellie Mae, thanks for the new county on 17m.

Columbia County Flag, New York, USA

Good DX and 73, NJ2X