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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.
The rules require that, in order for credit to be given, QSL
cards need to be submitted to nominated IOTA checkpoints for
checking. The name of the island needs to be printed on each card.
A feature of the IOTA Programme is the annual Honour Roll and
other performance tables that are published on this web-site,
usually in June. This encourages continual updating of scores.
If 'Island Chasing' appeals to you (and it can become
compulsive!), you will need the latest IOTA Directory which is
packed with information including the essential list of qualifying
islands. Without the Directory it will not be easy to proceed.
Source : RSGB IOTA
More Information about Rankings etc., Please visit
www.rsgbiota.org
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