The Black Sea PSK Award (BSPA) recognises achievement in PSK operation through confirmed contacts with Maidenhead grid squares that touch the waters of the Black Sea, Azov Sea and Marmara Sea.
The programme is issued in five award levels for confirmed PSK QSOs with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 45 different qualifying Maidenhead grid squares. The highest distinction is issued as BSPA Honor Roll.
Within the Maidenhead Locator System, a grid square measures 1° latitude by 2° longitude and in continental Europe spans approximately 70 to 100 miles, depending on latitude. A grid square is identified by two letters and two numbers, for example LN01, the square in which Batumi is located.
Awarded for confirmed PSK QSOs with 10 different qualifying Maidenhead grid squares from the official BSPA list.
Awarded for confirmed PSK QSOs with 20 different qualifying Maidenhead grid squares.
Awarded for confirmed PSK QSOs with 30 different qualifying Maidenhead grid squares.
Awarded for confirmed PSK QSOs with 40 different qualifying Maidenhead grid squares.
Awarded for confirmed PSK QSOs with 45 different qualifying Maidenhead grid squares from the BSPA reference list.
- BSPA encourages PSK activity focused on the coastal and maritime geography of the Black Sea region.
- The programme recognises confirmed contacts with qualifying Maidenhead grid squares that touch the waters of the Black Sea, Azov Sea and Marmara Sea.
- The programme consists of five award levels.
- Awards are available for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 45 different qualifying grid squares.
- The award for 45 qualifying grid squares is issued as BSPA Honor Roll.
- A qualifying grid square is a four-character Maidenhead locator consisting of two letters and two numbers.
- Only the 48 grid squares listed in the official BSPA reference table are valid for credit.
- To qualify, a grid square must touch the waters of the Black Sea, Azov Sea or Marmara Sea.
- Only confirmed PSK QSOs are valid for this programme.
- QSOs are valid with fixed, portable, mobile land stations and maritime mobile stations operating from boats, ships and similar vessels.
- All contacts must be made in accordance with the amateur radio regulations applicable to both stations at the time of the QSO.
- Each qualifying grid square counts once only toward an award claim, regardless of the number of QSOs made from that square.
- Contacts with the same four-character grid square on different bands, dates or with different stations do not create additional credit.
- The decisive factor is the correctly identified four-character Maidenhead grid square of the contacted station.
- Applicants are responsible for the accuracy of all locators and claim data submitted for BSPA.
- Only QSOs that can be satisfactorily documented and verified may be credited.
- The award administration reserves the right to request clarification on any claimed contact or locator.
- Any properly licensed radio amateur or eligible club station may apply.
- The final interpretation of these rules, including the validity of locator credit, rests with the BSPA award administration.
The following 48 Maidenhead grid squares are valid for the Black Sea PSK Award programme.
