01/21/2009 On Thursday, January 15, ARRL officials confirmed that David J. Strout Sr, W2YC, of Williamstown, New Jersey, is the recipient of the very first Triple Play Award. "Strout received the final needed confirmation -- Hawaii on phone -- just at 2004 UTC on January 15," said ARRL Information Technology Manager Jon Bloom, KE3Z. "He applied for the award at 2007 UTC, and it was issued by the Awards Branch at about 2130 UTC." The Triple Play Award is available to all amateurs who confirm contacts with each of the 50 states using three modes for each state: CW, phone and RTTY/digital. All 150 contacts must be made on or after January 1, 2009 and must be confirmed via Logbook of the World (LoTW). All bands -- with the exception of 60 meters -- may be used in pursuit of the Triple Play Award.