Welcome to the World Beauties Award! The WBA TEAM and the dx DA-RC group have established, starting from 2024, a permanent award aimed at enhancing and promoting the greatest possible worldwide number of sites of historical, cultural and tourist interest on a beautiful 11 Meters Band.

World Beauties Award!

are you ready for the next big challenge?

From 2026, WBA awaits you for a thrilling DX adventure! Get ready to test your hunting skills in activations that will take you to every corner of the world. WBA isn’t just a challenge, it’s an epic hunt that will push you beyond your limits, defying the laws of ionospheric propagation!

WBA is your new global frontier, a breathtaking DX adventure that will take you on a journey with your mind and your gear. If you’re ready to conquer the impossible, WBA will be your new destination. Don’t be caught unprepared. Your new DX adventure awaits!

It’s our great pleasure to introduce another new addition from our wonderful DA-RC group, open to hunters of all groups. This Award will begin January 1, 2026, and end December 31, 2026. There will be many new features, more information will follow.

The Vision

The SBA (Sardinian Beauties Award) was created in early 2024 by Alessandro (165DA101), an avid enthusiast of portable HF activations on the 11-meter band. The goal was to establish a recognition program that would stand apart from traditional awards, which are often single-themed and have standardized, repetitive graphics.

The project is built on the concept of giving value to the activation location. The idea is that an activator, by operating near a prestigious site, not only enriches their own activation but also provides international resonance to the location itself. For each confirmed contact, “hunters” receive a unique and personalized electronic certificate.

Evolution and Project Growth

The project quickly gained momentum. In April 2024, SBA was recognized and sponsored by the prestigious Delta Alfa DX Group. Gaetano (1DA005) and Kostas (90DA101) joined Alessandro, providing fundamental support in logistics, graphics, and operations.

The first semester of activity, which began in June 2024, saw Alessandro successfully complete 60 activations. Due to their significance (including IOTA, COTA, etc.), some of these activations were also commemorated with physical QSL cards.

National and International Expansion

In 2025, the project expanded its scope to become SIBA (Sardinian Italian Beauties Award), extending participation to all Italian activators who are members of the Delta Alfa group. The growing number of hunters and their keen interest in the regularly updated rankings on the sbota.org website have confirmed the initiative’s success.

Beginning in 2026, the Award will take a further step forward, adopting the name WBA (World Beauties Award).

This evolution will allow any Delta Alfa member worldwide to lead exciting activations. The objective is to discover and give visibility to beautiful, and sometimes little-known, places, promoting cultural and natural heritage on a global scale.

The WBA activator 

is at the heart of a dual mission: to enhance and promote an important historical and tourist site, while simultaneously lending prestige to the activation itself simply by being close to the location. As shown, every one of our activations represents a double victory, an objective achieved by both parties!

Becoming a WBA activator offers a unique and rewarding experience!

Here’s what you stand to gain:

🔴 Promote Historical and Tourist Sites

At the heart of the WBA Award is the mission to highlight and publicize significant historical and tourist sites. As an activator, you play a crucial role in bringing attention to these locations, while your activation gains prestige by being associated with such important landmarks. Every activation is a win-win, achieving objectives for both the site and the activator.

🔴 Grow Personally and Socially

While it’s true that being a WBA activator demands time and effort—especially in organizing events and successfully negotiating with site management for permission to operate a portable station nearby—the challenges are well worth it. This endeavor is an opportunity for significant cultural and social growth. You’ll continuously forge new relationships with individuals working in cultural and historical sectors, expanding your network and deepening your understanding of these fields.

🔴 Be Part of an Elite Group

Being a WBA Activator isn’t for everyone. It requires dedication, “savoir-faire,” and a passion for promoting heritage. However, for those who embrace the challenge, it offers a deeply rewarding experience and the chance to be part of a group dedicated to a unique and impactful mission.

WBA TEAM 💪

WBA Award Rules

1. Award Objective and Scope

  • 1.1. Core Goal: The WBA (World Beauties Award) aims to promote radio activity in the 11-meter band.
  • 1.2. Site Promotion (World Beauties – WB): This is achieved through the activation of sites of historical, naturalistic, and touristic importance.
  • 1.3. Eligible Sites: These sites include lighthouses, castles, archaeological sites, places of worship, towers, parks, beaches, and minor islands.

2. Participation and Activation Requirements

  • 2.1. Eligibility for Operators: The activity is open to all current and future DA-RC members, of any worldwide division.
  • 2.2. Activator Requirement: Activators wishing to participate must be DA-RC members.
  • 2.3. Advance Notification: It is recommended to announce the activation of a site at least 24 hours in advance. Only one single activation is allowed during the day.
  • 2.4. Site Identification: Each WB site is identified by a specific alphanumeric reference and is part of an updated list in the WBA Sites Map and Activations section.
  • 2.5. Distance Rule: For a valid activation, the maximum distance between the portable radio station and the chosen site must not exceed 500 meters. Improved movements are permitted after the activation begins, but always within a 500-meter radius of the site.
  • 2.6. Location for Cliffs/Islands: For sites on cliffs or islands, the activation must physically take place from that specific location.

3. Point Assignment Structure

  • 3.1. Scoring Guidelines: Each activation is assigned a score from 1 to 5, based on the following:
    • 5 points: Minor islands.
    • 4 points: Sites with field activation.
    • 3 points: Archaeological sites.
    • 2 points: Ports, castles, coastal towers, lighthouses.
    • 1 point: Places of worship and other miscellaneous sites.
  • C.R.A. | Commemorative Radio Activation
    Bringing History and Tradition into WBA
    A C.R.A. (Commemorative Radio Activation) is a special event that a WBA activator can perform from their home base station. It is designed to celebrate significant milestones, cultural traditions, and the public heritage of one’s country or geographic region. Whether it is honoring a Patron Saint, celebrating a national holiday, or remembering a historic anniversary, the C.R.A. brings local events to the global attention of the WBA Hunters! C.R.A. is the latest WBA breakthrough for 2026!
    C.R.A. is the new WBA highlight for 2026!
    Why activate a C.R.A. within WBA?
    Cultural Preservation: We use the 11-meter band to tell the story of your patron saint festivals, city anniversaries, and public celebrations.
    Global Reach: A local celebration is instantly transformed into an international event, connecting your community with radio operators all over the world.
    Exclusive Recognition: Hunters will be awarded special digital certificates, creating a tangible historical record of the anniversary.

    Patron Saint Festivals
    Religious traditions and local “Festa” celebrations.
    Public Holidays
    National days, liberation anniversaries, or cultural jubilees.
    Historical Anniversaries
    Commemorating the founding of cities, institutions, or landmarks.
    Our Mission: To ensure that important dates are not just remembered locally, but broadcast globally through the skill and passion of the 11-meter band community.
  • A further novelty introduced by the WBA is the establishment of a simple Activators Ranking, created for the sole purpose of providing a statistical overview of the commitment of each activator during the Award’s annual period. This commitment will be recognized with the conferral of an A4 format Certificate, which will be sent to the activator. Each single completed and validated activation will be assigned 1 point.

4. Activators’ Equipment and Bonus Points

  • 4.1. Recommended Equipment: Activators are encouraged to use high-efficiency portable antennas (e.g., 3-element SKYPPER, DELTA LOOP, BAMBY).
  • 4.2. Mobile Antenna Use: However in case of adverse weather conditions or restricted spaces or spaces subject to particular constraints and prohibitions restrictions, mobile antennas may be used (e.g., SIRIO TWIN LOG 5, PL5000 or Homemade vertical).
  • 4.3. Mobile Antenna Bonus: If a mobile antenna is used for justified reasons, the activation will receive a 1 bonus point for the Hunters due to the greater difficulty in making QSOs.

5. QSO (Radio Contact) Rules

  • 5.1. Accepted Mode: ONLY bidirectional VOICE SSB QSOs are accepted.
  • 5.2. Prohibited Methods: The use of SDR for listening, calls with the aid of other operators, or pre-recorded or live calls via telephone is strictly forbidden. The use of Remote stations is permitted but only by the operator who owns the station itself.
  • 5.3. Sanction for Violation: Violation of the prohibited methods rule entails the cancellation of the QSO. If the violations were to repeat themselves, we may consider expelling the Hunter from the rankings.
  • 5.4. Numbering: The exchange of sequential numbers is not required.
  • 5.5. Logging Principle (“In The Log”): The activator is responsible for the correct logging of QSOs, noting QRA, RS, date, and UTC time.
  • 5.6. Recommended Tool: The use of the WBA LIVE LOG is strongly recommended to facilitate the activity.

6. Activation Management and Log Submission

  • 6.1. Re-activation Limit (Annual): Sites can be activated and re-proposed a maximum of 3 times per year, particularly if at least 50 QSOs are not reached during a session.
  • 6.2. Suspension and Resumption: Activations can be suspended and re-proposed on another day (maintaining the same log) only if a minimum of 30 QSOs is not reached during the first session.
  • 6.3. Contest Exclusion: WBA activity is prohibited during the World Wide Contest (CQ11WW) and other contests managed by DA-RC.
  • 6.4. Publication of Logs: Activations are published in chronological order. Logs will be published at the end of the activity.
  • 6.5. Missing QSO Report: In case of a missing QSO registration, the hunter may report it to the WBA TEAM via email within a reasonable timeframe.

7. Communication and Hunter Rankings

  • 7.1. Real-Time Information: Groups have been created on Messenger and WhatsApp where hunters can receive real-time information on activations, including the GPS location and photos of the portable station (to ensure veracity).
  • 7.2. Official Ranking: An official hunter ranking is available and updated in real time at: http://www.sbota.org/Hunters Scores.
  • 7.3. Award Management: The WBA Award is managed by the WBA TEAM.
  • 7.4. Contact Email: For any communication, contact: is0jhn.165@gmail.com.

8. Recognitions and Long-Term Goal

  • 8.1. Annual Recognitions: Hunters who contact the highest number of WBs each year may obtain electronic confirmation certificates and electronic diplomas.
  • 8.2. Long-Term Goal: The objective is to collect hundreds of exclusive activated sites over time.

Summary: The WBA Award unites the passion for radio with cultural and geographical knowledge.

165DA101 Alex, 1DA001 Gaetano, 90DA101 Kostas