National Amateur Radio Alliance Welcome to the Alfred Vail 20-20 Young Keyers Award Application!
Morse code isn’t just a tradition—it’s a skill, a language, and a badge of dedication. The Alfred Vail 20-20 Young Keyers Award celebrates young amateur radio operators under the age of 20 who have taken it upon themselves to learn CW and reach a sending and receiving speed of 20 words per minute or greater.
This award honors not only your proficiency, but your commitment to keeping the spirit of Morse code alive in a modern ham radio world.
Who Should Apply?
You’re eligible if:
- You’re under the age of 20
- You hold a valid amateur radio license
- You can copy and send CW at 20 wpm or higher
How the Application Works
- Fill out the application below. Tell us a bit about yourself, your ham journey, and how you got into CW.
- Submit your application. Once we receive it, you’ll be contacted by a examiner from the Long Island CW Club.
- The examiner will schedule a Zoom meeting with you to conduct a live CW proficiency test. You’ll be asked to send and receive at 20 words per minute—don’t worry, it’s a friendly and encouraging process!
- After your session, the examiner will send the results directly to us.
- Once we receive verification of your proficiency, your application will be reviewed and a numbered certificate will be issued in your name, and your award packet will be mailed to your address on the application.
This award was established in 2025 and is inspired by two incredible young operators who were 17 and 13 at the time - Josiah, WD5JR, and Isaiah, KJ5CMP, whose passion, speed, and dedication blew us away. We created this award to honor young hams like them—and you. If you’re ready to stand out and be recognized for your CW skills, we can’t wait to hear from you.
Start your application below—and let your signal be heard.
