Special Protection Areas Award (SPAA)

10/04/2026 Off By Camping and Hiking

About Special Protection Areas (SPAs)

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are protected areas classified for rare, vulnerable, and migratory birds under the UK’s SPA network. JNCC lists 286 SPAs in the United Kingdom, with sites ordered alphabetically within country and cross-border sites listed under each relevant country.

The SPAA programme encourages responsible amateur radio activity associated with these important conservation areas, while respecting access conditions, safety requirements, landowner permissions, and environmental protection. Only SPAs listed in the official SPAA list are valid for this award programme.

General Conditions

  • All awards are issued in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.
  • Participation is limited to licensed amateur radio operators who are current GMFF members.
  • All QSOs must comply with amateur radio regulations and GMFF requirements.
  • Only SPAs listed in the official SPAA list are valid for award purposes.
  • The Award Manager reserves the right to request proof of any QSO, including confirmation from the activator.
  • All information provided in the application must be accurate and complete.
  • Cross-border SPAs count by SPA reference and are listed under all relevant countries in the official list.
  • Offshore SPAs may be activated by maritime mobile amateur radio stations, provided the operation is lawful and the station is operating from within the qualifying SPA area or within the permitted proximity rule stated below.

Chaser Awards – “Hunter Series”

The SPAA Hunter Series is awarded for confirmed contacts with valid GMFF activations from Special Protection Areas listed in the official SPAA list.

See also  British Overseas Territories Award (BOTA)

Award Levels

  • SPAA 10 – Contacts with 10 different SPAs
  • SPAA 20 – Contacts with 20 different SPAs
  • SPAA 30 – Contacts with 30 different SPAs
  • SPAA 40 – Contacts with 40 different SPAs
  • SPAA 50 – Contacts with 50 different SPAs
  • SPAA 60 – Contacts with 60 different SPAs
  • SPAA 70 – Contacts with 70 different SPAs
  • SPAA 80 – Contacts with 80 different SPAs
  • SPAA 90 – Contacts with 90 different SPAs
  • SPAA 100 – Contacts with 100 different SPAs

Requirements

  • Each QSO must be with a valid GMFF activation from a SPA listed in the official SPAA list.
  • Each qualifying contact must represent a different SPA reference.
  • Repeat contacts with the same SPA do not increase the count toward a Hunter award level.
  • QSOs may be made on any permitted amateur radio band or mode in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.
  • Activator-to-activator QSOs may count toward chaser totals where permitted under the GMFF General Rules.

Activator Awards – “Explorer Series”

The SPAA Explorer Series is awarded to operators and club stations activating different Special Protection Areas in the United Kingdom.

Award Levels

  • SPAA Explorer 10 – 10 different SPA activations
  • SPAA Explorer 20 – 20 different SPA activations
  • SPAA Explorer 30 – 30 different SPA activations
  • SPAA Explorer 40 – 40 different SPA activations
  • SPAA Explorer 50 – 50 different SPA activations
  • SPAA Explorer 60 – 60 different SPA activations
  • SPAA Explorer 70 – 70 different SPA activations
  • SPAA Explorer 80 – 80 different SPA activations
  • SPAA Explorer 90 – 90 different SPA activations
  • SPAA Explorer 100 – 100 different SPA activations
See also  Scotland’s Wildlife Award (SWA)

Activation Requirements

  • Operation must take place within the official boundaries of the SPA.
  • Where this is not possible, operation is permitted within 100 metres of the nearest boundary point.
  • Offshore SPAs may be activated by maritime mobile amateur radio stations.
  • A minimum of 10 QSOs with different stations is required for a valid activation.
  • All equipment, including antenna and power source, must be located within the qualifying location, except where the 100-metre boundary rule applies.
  • Activators must obtain all necessary permissions to access and operate from a location.
  • Holding an amateur radio licence does not automatically grant permission to operate from any site.
  • Compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, site rules, environmental protections, and landowner requirements is mandatory.
  • An activation counts once per SPA reference toward the Explorer totals, regardless of how many times that SPA is activated.
  • Club stations may qualify, provided all operation is carried out under a valid callsign and in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.

Application Procedure

  1. Pay the award fee.
  2. Record your PayPal Transaction ID (required for application).
  3. Download the appropriate application form:
  4. Complete the form in full.
  5. Submit the application to info@gmff.uk.

Optional engraved plaques may be requested for any award, subject to current availability and pricing.
Please see the GMFF General Rules for the wider programme framework.

Links

SPAA Official List: https://gmff.uk/spalist.xlsx
Activator Application Form: https://gmff.uk/spaactivatorapplication.ods
Chaser Application Form: https://gmff.uk/spachaserapplication.ods
GMFF General Rules: https://gmff.uk/gmff-awards-general-rules
Award Fee: https://gmff.uk/product/gmff-award-fee
GMFF Membership: https://gmff.uk/gmff-membership
SPAs in the United Kingdom: https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/list-of-spas
Useful Map: https://kwirk.github.io/pota-gb-map
QRA Locator Map: https://www.egloff.eu/qralocator

See also  Islands of Wales Award (IOWA)
CategoryAwards
Tagsamateur radio award UK amateur radio conservation awards bird conservation sites UK gmff awards GMFF general rules GMFF membership GMFF SPAA ham radio activations UK JNCC SPAs portable amateur radio UK SPA activator award SPA chaser award SPA official list SPAA SPAA UK SPAs in the United Kingdom Special Protection Areas amateur radio Special Protection Areas Award UK protected areas radio award UK SPAs