While incredibly fun, this is a lifetime award a ham will never reach the end of the hunt. The base award requires 100 confirmed grids, with endorsements for additional milestones achieved. The ARRL VHF/UHF Century Club Award is for any ham who confirms contact with a certain number of grid squares. With nearly 75% of the Earth covered in water, this leaves roughly 8,100 grid squares worldwide that have land. There are 32,400 grid squares across the globe. See this map or the websitefor a better understanding.
As an example, ARRL headquarters is located in grid square FN31. Squares are identified by two letters indicating the field, then two numbers indicating a more precise location in that field. They are clumped together in groups of 100 called Grid Fields. Each square is 2 degrees of longitude by 1 degree of latitude, or roughly 120 x 60 miles the actual physical size changes as you get closer to the North or South Poles. Maidenhead Grid Squares are the standard piece of geography used by VHF+ ham radio operators. Inevitably, grid squares come into a satellite operator’s consciousness. As the number of contacts starts to grow, many begin to wonder just how many contacts they can make and how far they can communicate. Those new to satellite operating are generally thrilled when they finally talk to another person through an object orbiting in space.
