IOTA

1. Islands On The Air http://www.rsgbiota.org/index.php4?countthis=1 Presentation to NSRA on February 13, 2006 by Gary Young K2AJY IOTA

2. IOTA is designed to encourage contacts with island stations world-wide. The Islands On The Air program was created in 1964 by Geoff Watts, an English SWL and adopted by the RSGB in 1985. Ocean islands have been grouped into some 1200 IOTA groups based on geographical and political boundaries. Each IOTA group may contain one or many islands that count for the same IOTA number. There are approximately 15,000 to 20,000 IOTA chasers. IOTA

3. IOTA • There are 18 certificates and 2 achievement awards that are currently available. • Certificates begin with IOTA-100 and progress up to IOTA-700. • There are also continental certificates for working a set number or percentage of each continents IOTA groups. • The achievements awards are, a plaque for reaching the 750 IOTA levels, and a crystal cup for reaching the 1000 IOTA level. • The IOTA Honor Roll is published each year. The level required to make the IOTA Honor Roll increases each year as the number of activated IOTA groups increases. In order to be listed, the applicant must have 50% of the numbered IOTA groups.

4. IOTA • The main frequency is 14.260MHz. • On SSB the customary frequencies are 28.560, 28.460, 24.950, 21.260, 18.128, 7.055, and 3.755 MHz. • The CW frequencies are 28.040, 24.920, 21.040, 18.098, 14.040, 10.115, and 3.530 MHz.

5. The rules pertaining to what constitutes a valid IOTA QSL are very strict. QSL cards need to be submitted to a nominated IOTA checkpoint for credit. w4dks@cox.net is the checkpoint for us in New England. The name of the island is required to be printed on each card. Hand-written island names on QSL cards are no longer valid. The IOTA number does not have to be printed on the QSL for it to be valid, the important QSL feature is the printed island name or non-ambiguous location identifier. Grid squares or lat/long are not considered valid location identifiers for IOTA. E-QSLs and LoTW are not valid for IOTA credit. There is some discussion between the ARRL and IOTA but because there are many issues to be dealt with it is doubtful that IOTA will accept LoTW for credits, in the near future. IOTA

6. IOTA • The IOTA directory is an extremely valuable reference and can be used to verify the validity of IOTA islands prior to submitting QSL cards to the checkpoint. The 40th edition of the directory is the most current and can be purchased from the Island Radio Expedition Foundation (IREF) for 15.00. • The IREF is an organization created to provide support to IOTA expeditions and depends on contributions from members on an annual basis. IREF has provided financial support to very rare and new IOTA operations over the past 5 years thru contributions. • IREF website is http://www.islandradio.org/aboutiref.htm

7. IOTA • Record keeping is perhaps the most daunting aspect of the IOTA program. In order to simplify this task it is recommended that you purchase the directory, then obtain a copy of the IOTAMEM or IOTAMEM4WIN software developed by the RSGB for managing IOTA records and simplifying submission requirements. This software is available from the checkpoint for a one time fee of $10.00, and using it entitles the user to a processing discount when claiming credits. • A checkpoint individual is usually known to the RSGB and asked to volunteer as a QSL card checker in order to lower the cost of the IOTA program and to minimize mailing risks. • The application, QSL cards arranged by continent, and the appropriate payment should be submitted to the checkpoint by Feb 1 of each year in order to have your score appear in the annual listing.