The Radio Society of Great Britain sponsors the ISLANDS ON THE AIR award program with full IOTA information found on their RSGBIOTA website. This moderized website contains an updated official list of island reference numbers and names of islands that are valid for each IOTA group. Also included are a list of rules, Checkpoints for each call area or country, IOTA groups that are presently active on the bands, alerts for islands that you need and program news. The program will allow you to make an initial award application or add to your existing database as you receive new island group QSLs. An exciting component added to the site is the use of Google Earth with an overlay of all IOTA groups to help you identify the location and details of the islands of interest. Please note that there are NO FEES to utilize the new program unless you elect to apply for an award.

A NEW 2007 IOTA DIRECTORY contains 128 pages of rules, lists, stories and details of the IOTA program and provides a valuable resource if you plan to activate an island or would rather not search the website for details of the program. It will not contain detailed instructions on how to utilize the website but such information is not necessary since the website is user friendly. You can acquire the Directory from IREF for $20 which includes postage and a small donation to support island expeditions.

NEW IOTA PROGRAM IS NOW OPERATIONAL

RATIONALE FOR CHANGE: IOTA Chairman John Butcher(G3LAS) has indicated some of the reasons for creating the new program as noted below:·

1. a heavy workload at the RSGB office to process the export/import files going to/from Checkpoints, often with significant delays;
2. frequent problems with different data on the HQ and Checkpoint systems;
3. failures of some users’ score changes to flow through to the HQ database;
4. lack of detailed QSO data preventing the award of band/mode endorsements where someone is dedicated to operating on a single band/mode.
5. a very difficult process at RSGB HQ to issue certificates;
6. the inability of members to easily check their current score (particularly if this has been changed by HQ);
7. serious problems making any new database queries or changes as the programme is written in an obsolete language and the data structure is highly non-standard so hard to transfer data from log programs to the IOTA program
8. modern computers increasingly unable to run the old DOS programme;
9. and modern computers often do not have floppy disk drives

The old DOS based IOTAMEM and Windows based IOTAMEM4WIN versions are no longer in effect. The new program is available to all applicants and is compatible with present day abilities of computers. There is no cost to utilize the new program unless you request an award. Be assured that your prior data as well as any new islands you have put into your own personal database will remain on the web site and only you can view your data. There has been great effort to keep your personal data secure and thus explains the initial registration process. Whether you are new to the IOTA program or have been a prior applicant, you will be required to register to get your password in order to utilize the website and to make application for awards. You can then start loading in new island groups. Be sure to insert the correct call as noted on the QSL card, the island listed on the QSL, the IOTA number and QSO details. If you make a typing error or insert the wrong island or call, the program may alert you to a problem. My www.W9DC.com website has details of the program including instructions, fee structure, and recommended procedures for North American applicants. Anytime you need help, just e-mail me the problem along with your call and I can check it out.

This is the MM/W9DC/P operating location near the jetty of Fidra Island.The gulls, puffins, oystercatchers and the pileup made a lot of QRN. It counted for IOTA, EU-123, WLH-0313 and Islands of Scotland Award FF-04.

Your data will be stored on the the RSGBIOTA website. That means no floppies, no homebased IOTA program to maintain and no worries about how to load it etc. Once you register, you will receive a login password from your Checkpoint. This will allow you to open up your database and find your old records. You can add any new cards received into your database including QSO data. If there is a major conflict with the data such as wrong call, wrong island name etc. it will alert you to recheck your input. These newly inserted island group QSOs will be in your database on a temporary basis. Once you have put in all your QSL data and you are ready to send the cards to your Checkpoint for validation, you simply press the submit button and it will work you through the submission process. It will ask you to print out the list of islands in proper sequence for approval, give you the cost of the application and ask you if you wish regular mail or e-mail certificates etc. Your designated Checkpoint will review the cards and approve them and they will then be part of your official island count and show up on your database as approved. It does require you to follow the directions carefully but the program will walk you through the process and you will experience minimal problems. In any event, I am available to help should you have a problem getting started.

IOTA CONTEST: You will be able to get direct credit for QSOs made during the IOTA contests without the need for QSLs assuming the data matches. Presently, there is no charge for receiving contest island credit but will be reviewed next year to determine cost of this process. Just insert your new contacts and QSO data into your own database and submit to HQ and you will receive credit assuming the new islands you worked sent in a log that contains your call and meets the details of the QSO.

Each CHECKPOINT has his own style of managing his duties depending on his location, mail situation, etc. I am responsible for those U.S. stations having a 4, 5, or 6 in their calls no matter where they are located as well as those Caribbean and Pacific Islands having U.S. zip codes. Please note that if you are a U.S. station with a 1, 2 or 3 in the call, then your checkpoint is Dan Sullivan, W4DKS (was KE4I), 14737 Pickets Post Rd., Centreville VA 20121. If you have a 7, 8, 9, or 0 in your call, then your new checkpoint after February 1, 2007 is Bruce Osterberg, N9BX, 10310 Fox Bluff Lane, Spring Grove, IL 60081.

The photo at the left is Don, W9DC, Dan, W4DKS and Bruce, N9BX at the 2008 IOTABASH.

FEES - See the new FEE STRUCTURE that is in effect and is based on the English Pound £. Applicants within the United States and possessions will have the English Pound automatically converted to U.S.dollars which is approximately 2.1 dollars per pound. The exact conversion factor can be found on the RSGBIOTA website and will change with the value of the dollar. Funds may be sent using cash or check made out to me, Don Chamberlain and I will return any excess funds. I do not use PayPal or maintain a credit balance list because of the additional paperwork.

MAKING AN APPLICATION: The old application form is no longer required. You should fill in your personal database completely including a telephone number and e-mail address as well as old calls etc. Input your new island groups and QSO details into your personal database on the website and when ready, send your application to the Checkpoint with the cards you wish approved as well as funds for the application and postage for the return of the cards. An INSTRUCTION SHEET to help with submissions can be found on this web site. It is up to you to determine how you wish to send your cards and how you want them returned. Priority Mail normally only takes 2-3 days and the post office supplies free sturdy envelopes and boxes to preserve your cards against potential damage during shipment. It is the most popular method of sending cards and works well with my local post office. Many folks put their cards in a zip-lock bag to make sure they do not stray or get wet. I will be happy to send an E-Mail when the package is received. Turn around time is just a few days if I am in town. It is urged that cards be placed in the order as noted on the island application submission form that is printed when you get ready to submit your cards. Completion of the application form is important to insure that your submission requests are carefully followed. The Checkpoint will check the cards to confirm validity and proper information, send this data to HQ to confirm the request and then automatically update the applicant's database. He will also alert HQ about requested certificates etc. who will then process them and forward to the applicant. You will have the option of receiving certificates by normal mail or for a lesser fee, receive your certificates by e-mail which require you to print out the certificate. I have received my new personalized certificates by e-mail and my small color printer did an excellent job.

HINT: When making an application and searching for old QSOs, besides searching your logs, you might wish to review call signs of prior major operations for each IOTA group listed at the search box on the website and in the new Directory. You may find a few new ones that you worked and may even have received a QSL.

If you require additional assistance, send an SASE, give me a call or send an E-Mail and I will try to solve your problems promptly. W9DC E-Mail

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(Revised March, 2008)