Chasing countries on the air is one of Amateur Radio’s most popular activities. The Activity Group Belarus offers Hams who work at least 50 countries using digital modes with the AGB-Digital Countries award. This award synonym not as widely known or chased after as the venerable DX Century Club (DXCC) from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). But it has one advantage in being completely free.
After the initial 50 country certificate, you can obtain additional awards in 50 country increments through 300. The top level certificate, entitled MAX, indicates working all active DXCC countries or entities. That number currently sits at 340.
The base AGB-Digital Countries award covers all of the “JT” digital modes. You can also chase additional awards for each of the JT modes individually. This translates into seven different tracks:
| All | FT8 | FT4 | JS8 |
| JT65 | JT9 | T10 |
Contacts made on almost every single Amateur Radio band are valid. The official website includes the following bands by name: 2190M, 630M, 160M, 80M, 40M, 30M, 20M, 17M, 15M, 12M, 10M,
6M, 4M, 2M, 70cm, 23cm, 9cm, 6cm, 3cm and 1.25cm. Note the 4M band is not available in the US and the award does not count 1.25M contacts.
The AGB-Digital Countries certificate features a map of the world, showing the many places you had to contact in order to receive it.
To apply for the Digital Countries Award, and all other AGB awards, you must install the UltimateAAC application on a Windows machine. That application scans your WSJT-X ADIF log file, or any ADIF log file you specify. It will then inform you when you’ve qualified for the award at various levels. AGB issues the award in digital form only (JPG or PDF) with no printing or shipping costs. In fact, the award is completely free, like all of their other awards.