Satellite enthusiast Doug Papay, KD8CAO, of Zeeland, Michigan, has worked all 488 US grid squares via satellite and has been granted Grid Master Award #2. He worked N2COP operating portable in FM13, via SO-50 on December 15 for his final grid. His father, John Papay, K8YSE, of N Royalton, Ohio, holds Grid Master Award #1.

In a recent AMSAT-BB e-mail exchange with Damon Runion, WA4HFN, the awards manager of the Star Comm Group, which sponsors the Grid Master Award, Doug Papay credited his father and several other satellite ops for making it possible to activate “so many rare grids” needed for the award. “Special recognition goes to my father K8YSE, Jim, ND9M, Patrick, WD9EWK, and Ted, AA5CK, for having been major contributors over the years to this accomplishment,” he added.

He said that his father forwarded a text from Star Comm Grou President Rick, WA4NVM, that N2COP was active from FM13.

To qualify for the Grid Master Award, you must complete and confirm satellite contacts with all 488 grids in the US. More information on the Grid Master and other Star Comm Group awards is on the Star Comm Group website.  — Thanks to AMSAT News Service via Star Comm Group and KD8CAO