(revised edition with changes effective from January 1, 2026)
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
This press release establishes the procedure for crediting paper QSL cards, HQSL scans from the “Hamlog” service, as well as the procedure for uploading logs in ADIF format within the framework of the RDA award program.
Only the following are accepted for credit:
– paper QSL cards (as scans);
– HQSL from the “Hamlog” service.
The following are NOT accepted for credit:
– eQSL;
– LoTW;
– HRD;
– any other electronic images and scans from third-party services.
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1. PROCEDURE FOR CREDITING PAPER QSL CARDS
1.1. CONDITIONS FOR CREDIT
A scan of a paper QSL card is accepted for credit provided that all of the following conditions are met simultaneously:
– The QSO was made no earlier than the date specified for the respective district in the official RDA District List - RDA list.
– The scan fully corresponds to the original QSL: no edge cropping is allowed; all QSO data and additional information must be clearly readable.
– The QSL contains QSO data. If the sender’s callsign is not indicated on the card, the reverse side of the QSL with the correspondent’s callsign must be uploaded simultaneously.
– When entering data into the Auto-Credit system, the callsign must be specified exactly as it appears on the QSL. If a former callsign is used, it must be specified as such. Statistics for all callsigns must be merged in the Auto-Credit system. To merge statistics, please contact the RDA program managers: RA3R, R1CF.
– If one QSL card contains several QSOs with different RDA numbers, such a QSL must be uploaded separately for each QSO, specifying the corresponding RDA number.
– Priority during review is given to the RDA number overprinted or handwritten on the QSL. The typographically printed number is considered secondary and is credited only if no other RDA number is specified by the correspondent.
1.2. GROUNDS FOR REFUSAL OF CREDIT
A scan of a paper QSL card is NOT accepted for credit in the following cases:
– Manual changes have been made to the QSO data or the RDA number, or additional information has been added. Any extra information may be regarded as an attempt to alter the original data.
– The QSL card was received from an SWL.
– The QSO date and the claimed RDA number do not correspond to the official RDA District List.
– The correspondent’s callsign is not eligible for RDA awards by decision of the RDA Committee.
– The scan relates to new Russian territories (credit is possible only via uploaded logs).
– The QSO was made on VHF bands.
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2. PROCEDURE FOR CREDITING HQSL FROM THE “HAMLOG” SERVICE
HQSL scans are available on the “Hamlog” website in the “HQSL” section.
2.1. CONDITIONS FOR CREDIT
An HQSL scan is accepted for credit provided that the following conditions are met:
– The RDA number is specified in the designated RDA field (bottom line of the HQSL) and fully corresponds to the number from the RDA District List.
– The HQSL fully corresponds to the original: no cropping is allowed and all data must be readable.
– Uploading QSO data using the QR code located in the lower right corner of the HQSL is recommended.
– When entering data into the Auto-Credit system, the callsign must be specified exactly as it appears on the HQSL. If a former callsign is used, it must be specified accordingly. Statistics for all callsigns must be merged. To merge statistics, please contact the RDA program managers: RA3R, R1CF.
2.2. GROUNDS FOR REFUSAL OF CREDIT
An HQSL scan is NOT accepted for credit in the following cases:
– Two or more RDA numbers are indicated on the HQSL. For such activations, the rule for operating from district borders applies and log upload is mandatory.
– The RDA number is indicated in a non-standard format (e.g. TB02, TB 02, ŇÁ-02, etc.), is missing, or contains additional text.
– The “Time” field contains the value “no match”, indicating that the QSO has not been confirmed by the correspondent.
– The claimed district is included in the Top-100 list. In this case, credit is possible only via log submission. An exception is made for callsigns operating from a home QTH included in this list.
– The HQSL was received from an SWL.
– The HQSL relates to new Russian territories (credit is possible only via logs).
– The correspondent’s callsign is not eligible for RDA awards by decision of the RDA Committee.
– An obsolete or invalid RDA number is indicated.
– The QSO was made on VHF bands.
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3. GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR SCAN CREDITING
– The reason for refusal of credit is displayed when hovering the cursor over the “Rejected” status in the “Status” column.
– If no explanatory text appears, the refusal corresponds to one of the provisions of this Press Release #19.
– Uploading HQSL scans is permitted no earlier than 5 days after the QSO date, allowing the activator sufficient time to upload the log and reducing the workload for reviewers.
– Any falsification of scans results in disqualification and exclusion from the RDA program.
– For radio amateurs who systematically operate from district borders or in Top-100 districts and at the same time do not upload logs and supporting data, an activity blocking mechanism is provided. When attempting to upload a scan for such an “activity”, the system will automatically display a message indicating the reason for the impossibility of upload. The list of such activators is flexible and is adjusted by the RDA program manager.
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