Rules

Rules of the Award Program "Hałda On The Air" HOTA 2026

Organizer
The organizer of the award program is the association "HOTA Radio Team" based in Katowice.
Duration
The HOTA 2026 award program runs from 01.04.2026 to 30.11.2026.
Awards and categories
As part of the HOTA 2026 award program, two separate rankings are conducted:
- HF Ranking
- VHF Ranking
In each of the above categories, the following awards can be obtained:
- a) “Bronze Hunter” – 5 points
- b) “Silver Hunter” – 10 points
- c) “Gold Hunter” – 20 points
- d) “Diamond Hunter” – 60 points
For the VHF category, award names include the suffix VHF (e.g. “Bronze Hunter VHF”, “Diamond Hunter VHF”).

Additionally:
- for stations with the highest number of QSOs in the HF ranking – special award: TOP HOTA HUNTER 2026 HF
- for stations with the highest number of QSOs in the VHF ranking – special award: TOP HOTA HUNTER 2026 VHF
Scoring rules
Points in the HOTA 2026 award program are awarded to each station that establishes a contact with station HF26HOTA operating from a slag heap listed in point 6 of these rules.
Conditions for valid QSOs
The contact must take place on amateur bands in accordance with the IARU Band Plan using FM, SSB or DIGI modes.
Slag heaps participating in the HOTA 2026 award program
- H-01 Hałda Kostuchna (Katowice)
- H-02 Hałda Murcki (Katowice)
- H-03 Hałda Skalny (Łaziska Górne)
- H-04 Hałda Marta Waleska (Łaziska Górne)
- H-05 Hałda Sośnica (Gliwice)
- H-06 Hałda Makoszowy (Zabrze)
- H-07 Hałda KWK Ziemowit (Lędziny)
- H-08 Hałda Paciorkowce (Bieruń)
- H-09 Hałda KWK Bielszowice nad Kłodnicą (Ruda Śląska)
- H-10 Hałda KWK Gliwice – Ostropa (Gliwice)
- H-11 Hałda KWK Rozbark (Bytom)
- H-12 Hałda popłuczkowa (Tarnowskie Góry)
- H-13 Hałda KWK Powstańców Śląskich (Bytom)
- H-14 Hałda Ruda (Zabrze Biskupice)
- H-15 Hałda Góra Kamieńsk (Kleszczów, Łódź Voivodeship)
- H-16 Hałda Jerzy Nowy Szyb 2 (Malice near Częstochowa)
- H-17 Hałda Malice (Malice near Częstochowa)
- H-18 Hałda Barbara main shaft E (Częstochowa)
- H-19 Hałda Kolonia Amandy (Katowice)
- H-20 Hałda Panewnicka (Mikołów)
- H-21 Hałda Maria (Ornontowice)
- H-22 Hałda Orzesze (Orzesze)
- H-23 Hałda KWK Makoszowy – Wymysłów (Zabrze)
- H-24 Hałda Alpy Wełnowieckie (Siemianowice Śląskie)
- H-25 Hałda Rudniki (Rudniki near Zawiercie)
- H-26 Hałda KWK Chwałowice (Rybnik)
Scoring system
Points are awarded according to the rule: 1 point = 1 QSO / band / mode / day

Examples:
- a) 40 m SSB, 20 m SSB, 2 m FM = 3 points
- b) 40 m SSB, 40 m FT8, 20 m SSB, 20 m FT8, 2 m FM, 2 m FT8 = 6 points
- c) Bands and modes cannot be repeated on the same day (“dupe”).
Activations and exceptions
- a) Normally one activation per day
- b) The organizer reserves the right to conduct two activations in one day
- c) In such a case: 1 point = 1 QSO / band / mode / activation
- d) Information about such days will be announced in advance via official channels
HF / VHF point separation
- a) HF ranking includes only HF bands
- b) VHF ranking includes VHF/UHF and higher bands
- c) Points are counted separately
- d) A station may participate in both rankings simultaneously
TOP HOTA HUNTER awards
All valid QSOs with station HF26HOTA in a given category count towards:
- TOP HOTA HUNTER 2026 HF
- TOP HOTA HUNTER 2026 VHF
Awards
Issued awards will be available for download at: www.hota.com.pl
Activation information
Information about planned activations will be published on Facebook in the form of posts.
Contact
If you have any questions not answered here, please contact: hf26hota@gmail.com
The organizer will respond as soon as possible.
Final information
The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the rules during the program. Any changes will be communicated via official social media channels.