Alfred Vail 20-20 Young Keyers Award
For operators aged 20 and under who can send and receive Morse code at 20 words per minute.
Who it honors
Alfred Vail helped build the first practical telegraph and shaped the code that became Morse. This award carries his name to a new generation: young operators who put in the hours and can hold a real conversation at 20 words per minute.
Who can apply
- Aged 20 or under on the date of the application.
- Able to send and receive plain-language Morse at 20 wpm or better.
- Observed by a licensed operator willing to certify the run.
- An FCC license is welcome but not required — the code test is what counts.
How certification works
- The young operator (or a parent) fills in the application and names the operator who observed the run.
- NARA emails that operator a secure link that expires in 30 days.
- The observer enters the speed they actually witnessed and any notes.
- The awards committee reviews the certified application and issues the certificate.
Applicants under 18 must include a parent or guardian, who is copied on all correspondence. We publish nothing about a young operator without permission.
Start an application