Presentation to Milford ARC on June 14, 2012 about on-the-air activities.

1. Meet the OTA family!
SOTA
IOTA
US Islands OTA
LOTA
POTA & cPOTA
CASHOTA
RRDOTA
Andrew Rohne AC8JO
June 14, 2012

2. Introduction
Not a technical presentation
No Arduinos
No JT-65, WSPR, or QRSS
Not exhaustive
Meant to “wet your appetite”

3. A family with seven kids
The On-The-Air family...
Summits (SOTA)
Islands (IOTA)
US Islands
Lighthouses (LOTA)
Parks (POTA and cPOTA)
Castles & Stately Homes (CASHOTA)
Railroad Depots (RRDOTA)
...and this is not an exhaustive list

4. Terminology
Activation = going to a site and operating
Chasing = making QSOs with activators
Reflector = Listserve, email list, Yahoo Groups

5. Vital Stats
Chasing Points
Activating Sites
Operating Restrictions
Locations
Announcing – Self Spotting Required
FUN

6. Summits on the Air
Large organization
Local chapters – DXCC region and call area
Local chapters control some rules
Distance from summit – 100' vertical (variable)
Points based on height of climb
Bonuses for winter (sometimes)
Final Trek must be non-motorized
No fossil-fuel generators or mains power

7. Summits on the Air
Exchange: RST + SOTA Number
Cannot operate through repeaters
Awards for both chasers and activators
Awards administered from local district
Self-Spotting via reflectors and SOTAWatch.org
1 QSO = successful activation (check with local
chapter!)
Nearest activation opportunities: PN

8. Islands on the Air
Island =
Separated from mainland by >=200m
Shown on 1:1,000,000 scale map
Must operate from the island, or within 100yd in
certain conditions
Any power source allowed
No repeaters or
satellites
Remote stations
heavily scrutinized

9. Islands on the Air
Self-spotting via email reflector
IOTA number must be on QSL card
Chasing Awards based on # and region of
islands contacted
1 QSO = successful
activation
Nearest activation
possibilities: Lake Erie
Islands

10. US Islands
Similar to IOTA, but US-centric
Something must be ON an island
Radio
Power Source
Feedline
Antenna
HF only (6m if previously activated)

11. US Islands
25 QSOs required, with 2 DXCC
Exchange: RST, Island Name, ID
Self-Spot on USIslands.org calendar
Activation awards for >=100
Chaser awards at 100, 300, 500, and up
Nearest: Manchester Island (Ohio River), all
Lake Erie islands
East Fork Lake Island?

12. Lighthouses on the Air
Must be within 1000m
OR within visual range of the
light
No cross-band or
cross-mode contacts
Repeaters and satellites okay
Many activator awards
Pic: wikipedia user Henryhartley

13. Lighthouses on the Air
Chasing awards based on
number and location of
lighthouses
Exchange: RST, Lighthouse #,
Op Name
Closest activation: Marblehead

14. Parks on the Air
Newer programs
POTA – County, State and National Parks
cPOTA – City Parks
No awards yet
5 QSOs = Successful activation
Not required on same day
No repeaters, satellites okay
No power source limitations
Exchange: RST, QTH, GS (6m + only)

15. Castles & Stately Homes OTA
Must be within 500m to activate
Any power source
No repeaters or satellite
10 HF or 5 V/UHF =
Successful Activation
RST + Brief
Description/history

16. Castles & Stately Homes OTA
Spot via website
Many chasing awards
No activation
awards?
Loveland Castle
does not qualify

17. Railroad Depots on the Air
?
I requested to join their Yahoo Group, but
have not been approved as a member
Their rules are posted...if they allow you to
be a member

18. Questions?