Rules

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

  1. Organizer
    The organizer of the award program is the association "HOTA Radio Team" based in Katowice.
  2. Duration
    The HOTA 2026 award program runs from 01.04.2026 to 30.11.2026.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Slag heaps participating in the HOTA 2026 award program
    • The list of slag heaps will be published soon and updated on an ongoing basis.
  7. 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”).
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Awards
    Issued awards will be available for download at: www.hota.com.pl
  12. Activation information
    Information about planned activations will be published on Facebook in the form of posts.
  13. Contact
    If you have any questions not answered here, please contact: hf26hota@gmail.com
    The organizer will respond as soon as possible.
  14. 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.