HOTA Seasons – history on the air
HF25HOTA – a new website, new heaps
Summary
The HOTA 2025 season was a true breakthrough — a moment when the activity reached an entirely new level! For the first time, a brand‑new website with a Live Feed was launched, allowing activators to log QSOs instantly and giving hunters real‑time updates. This was a major milestone for the whole community.
A total of 8 new slag heaps appeared on the HOTA map, including one exceptional location outside Silesia — Góra Kamieńsk. These new sites brought fresh challenges, new scenery, and a whole new flavor to the 2025 season.
During the season, we recruited 3 new activators, with one ultimately staying for the long run — SQ9LOJ Marek. His dedication and presence on the heaps added new energy and spirit to the action.
The numbers for 2025 speak for themselves: a total of 2596 QSOs completed for 1073 hunters across 42 countries, with activators spending 47 hours on air. This represents an incredible amount of work, passion, and commitment — proving once again that HOTA is far more than just radio contacts. It’s a shared adventure.
Results and distinctions
- 🥇 The TOP HOTA HUNTER 2025 title was claimed by SP9MQU, demonstrating outstanding consistency and effectiveness throughout the entire season.
- 🏔️ 3 hunters successfully completed all 15 heaps: SP9MQU, SP9GH, and SP9TKN – an achievement reflecting the highest level of commitment.
- 🌍 Top hunters outside Poland: YO6CFB and OK2TMS (25 points) – an outstanding result on the international stage.
- 📜 A total of 144 awards were issued during the season, confirming the activity, passion, and competitive spirit that drive the HOTA community.
- 💖 To each of the 1073 hunters – even if you made only a single QSO – we extend our heartfelt thanks. We are thrilled you joined us on the heaps and on the air, together creating an unforgettable HOTA 2025 season.
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