Rsgbiota.org - An amateur radio program sponsored by a company in Kent, UK
Title
Islands on the Air - RSGBIOTA.org
Description
IOTA Programme: A Brief Description
Created in 1964 by Geoff Watts, a leading English short wave listener, and taken on by the RSGB in 1985, IOTA is an amateur radio activity programme designed to encourage contacts with island stations world- wide. The oceans' islands have been grouped into some 1200 "IOTA groups with, for reasons of geography, varying numbers of "counters", ie qualifying islands, in each. The objective, for the island chaser, is to make radio contact with at least one counter in as many of these groups as possible and, for the DXpeditioner, to provide such island contacts. For both it is a fun pastime adding much enjoyment to on the air activity. Among its estimated 15-20,000 followers IOTA has become for a very large number a favourite, highly regarded and absorbing activity programme.
18 separate certificates, graded in difficulty, are currently available for island chasers, as well as two prestigious awards for high achievement. They may be claimed by any licensed radio amateur eligible under the General Rules, who can produce evidence of having made two-way communication, since 15 November 1945, with the required number of amateur radio stations located in the IOTA groups specified for the award. Many of the islands/IOTA groups are DXCC countries in their own right; others are not, but by meeting particular eligibility criteria also count for credit. Part of the fun of IOTA is that it is an evolving programme with new IOTA groups amongst the 1200 listed being activated for the first time.
The basic award is for working stations located in 100 IOTA groups. There are higher achievement awards for working 200, 300 and so on groups, in multiples of 100, up to 700. In addition there are seven continental awards (including Antarctica) and three regional awards - Arctic Islands, British Isles and West Indies - for contacting a specified number of IOTA groups listed in each area. The IOTA World-wide diploma is available for working 50% of the numbered groups in each of the seven continents. A Plaque of Excellence is available for confirmed contacts with at least 750 IOTA groups with Shields for every 25 additional ones. The latest addition to the range is a 1000 Islands Trophy, also with additional Shields.
Languages
English
Address
- Lambda House, Cranborne Rd
- Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3JE UNITED KINGDOM
Contact
- Radio Society of Great Britain
-
- 0845 607 1942, Fax: 02920 722 596
Additional Information
Related Domains
External Links
- Alexa: Rsgbiota.org
