United Kingdom Special Sites Award (UKSSA)

27/04/2026 Off By Camping and Hiking

About United Kingdom Special Sites

The United Kingdom Special Sites Award (UKSSA) is based on nationally recognised protected sites across the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies, and associated island jurisdictions. These places are designated because of their special scientific, biological, geological, ecological, or conservation importance.

The programme includes Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Scotland, England, and Wales; Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man; Sites of Special Significance (SSS) in Guernsey; and Sites of Special Interest (SSI) in Jersey.

These protected areas include rare habitats, important wildlife locations, geological formations, coastal and island environments, wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, uplands, and other places of recognised natural or scientific value. The UKSSA programme encourages responsible amateur radio activity associated with these important sites while fully respecting access conditions, safety requirements, landowner permissions, and environmental protection.

Only sites listed in the UKSSA Official 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 sites listed in the UKSSA Official 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.
  • Sites count by UKSSA reference as shown in the official list.
  • Where a protected site crosses administrative boundaries or appears in more than one official source, it counts by its UKSSA reference in the official list.
  • Coastal, island, foreshore, tidal, or offshore sites may be activated where lawful access and operation are possible, provided the station is operating from within the qualifying site area or within the permitted proximity rule stated below.
See also  Wetlands On The Air Award (WOTA)

Chaser Awards – “Chaser Series”

The UKSSA Chaser Series is awarded for confirmed contacts with valid GMFF activations from protected special sites listed in the UKSSA Official List.

Award Levels

  • UKSSA 25 – Contacts with 25 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 50 – Contacts with 50 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 75 – Contacts with 75 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 100 – Contacts with 100 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 125 – Contacts with 125 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 150 – Contacts with 150 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 175 – Contacts with 175 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 200 – Contacts with 200 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 225 – Contacts with 225 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 250 – Contacts with 250 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 275 – Contacts with 275 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 300 – Contacts with 300 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 325 – Contacts with 325 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 350 – Contacts with 350 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 375 – Contacts with 375 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 400 – Contacts with 400 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 425 – Contacts with 425 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 450 – Contacts with 450 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 475 – Contacts with 475 different UKSSA sites
  • UKSSA 500 – Contacts with 500 different UKSSA sites

Requirements

  • Each QSO must be with a valid GMFF activation from a site listed in the UKSSA Official List.
  • Each qualifying contact must represent a different UKSSA reference.
  • Repeat contacts with the same UKSSA reference do not increase the count toward a Chaser 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.
See also  Scotland’s Wildlife Award (SWA)

Activator Awards – “Activator Series”

The UKSSA Activator Series is awarded to operators and club stations activating different protected special sites listed in the UKSSA Official List.

Award Levels

  • UKSSA Activator 25 – 25 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 50 – 50 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 75 – 75 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 100 – 100 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 125 – 125 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 150 – 150 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 175 – 175 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 200 – 200 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 225 – 225 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 250 – 250 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 275 – 275 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 300 – 300 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 325 – 325 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 350 – 350 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 375 – 375 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 400 – 400 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 425 – 425 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 450 – 450 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 475 – 475 different UKSSA site activations
  • UKSSA Activator 500 – 500 different UKSSA site activations

Activation Requirements

  • Operation must take place within the official boundaries of the qualifying UKSSA site.
  • Where this is not possible, operation is permitted within 100 metres of the nearest boundary point.
  • Coastal, island, foreshore, tidal, or offshore sites may be activated where lawful access and operation are possible.
  • 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.
  • Activators must take particular care to avoid damage or disturbance to protected habitats, species, geological features, livestock, access routes, and private property.
  • An activation counts once per UKSSA reference toward the Activator totals, regardless of how many times that site is activated.
  • Club stations may qualify, provided all operation is carried out under a valid callsign and in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.
See also  Special Areas of Conservation Award (SACA)

Application Procedure

  1. Pay the award fee.
  2. Record your PayPal Transaction ID, which is required for the application.
  3. Download the appropriate application form:
  1. Complete the form in full.
  2. 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

CategoryAwards
Tagsamateur radio activations amateur radio awards Areas of Special Scientific Interest ASSI conservation areas UK Flora Fauna radio gmff awards GMFF membership GMFF UKSSA ham radio activators ham radio awards ham radio chasers nature reserves UK portable radio awards Sites of Special Interest Sites of Special Scientific Interest Sites of Special Significance SSSI UK protected sites UKSSA United Kingdom Special Sites Award WWFF