[South Florida DX Association] Icom sponsors IOTA

[Bill Marx]

>From Tony - N2MFT

Icom sponsors IOTA

The popular Islands On The Air (IOTA) programme has been given a major boost 
thanks to leading radio communication manufacturer Icom.

>From the 1st October 2006, Icom will be the new corporate sponsor of the 
world renowned Islands on the Air (IOTA) programme.

This worldwide sponsorship deal is a major boost for IOTA. It teams the 
world's leading Amateur Radio manufacturer with, arguably, the best DX 
programme in the world.

The IOTA programme is now set for major expansion in forthcoming years, 
thanks to the new sponsorship deal. Already plans are in motion to expand 
the number of IOTA contests and awards, the Icom funding will ensure the 
success of these developments. The partnership will provide joint promotion 
and marketing efforts, greatly raising the profile of the IOTA programme 
throughout the world.

The IOTA programme already has tens of thousands of participants and 
millions of IOTA contacts are made each year. With the introduction of new 
web-based software the programme will be even easier to use. The software 
will revolutionise the processes whereby award applications can be made and 
checked. It will also give easy access to IOTA information and standings.

RSGB IOTA Committee chairman John Butcher, G3LAS, responding to the 
sponsorship deal with Icom, 'Since the RSGB Islands on the Air programme was 
created by Geoff Watts over 40 years ago it has developed into one of the 
world's most prestigious Amateur Radio awards.
Now, second only to DXCC in popularity, it attracts many thousands of 
participants worldwide who regularly battle it out in the pile-ups for a 
contact with that elusive 'new one'.

Many of these exciting opportunities are made possible only by the efforts 
of the hundreds of intrepid expeditioners who range the planet to activate 
many remote and often nearly inaccessible islands. We look forward with 
enthusiasm to working with Icom to promote IOTA across the world so that we, 
and they, will derive mutual benefits. As we move forward in the 21st 
century, we will try to achieve another 40 years of growth and development 
in IOTA for the enjoyment of amateur radio enthusiasts in all countries.'

Icom America Amateur division manager Ray Novak, N9JA, explains why IOTA has 
such an important role to play in securing the future of Amateur radio 
across the pond, 'As Icom America's Amateur division manager, I see my 
challenge as keeping the Amateur Radio hobby alive. With today's 
technological advances, many people no longer look to Amateur Radio as the 
new and exciting hobby it was 10-15 years ago. As an Amateur Radio 
manufacturer, it is our duty to do things to create excitement to entice 
people to participate in this wonderful hobby.'

Ray then went on to say, 'So much of our time is spent in the work place, 
taking us away from the relaxation and enjoyment of our families. Therefore 
when we take time off from work, we want to spend time with our family. 
Well, IOTA gives amateur radio that much-needed family tie. Take the family 
on vacation to a resort Island, and enjoy the relaxation, the beach, and the 
DX pile-ups as a family.what a perfect combination.'

Asked where he thought the Icom sponsorship of IOTA was going to lead, Ray 
said, 'I would hope that IOTA would be one of the things that would attract 
people to go and get their licence. We want IOTA to have the same profile as 
the DXCC award in the US. This will not take place over night. It will take 
time, money and effort. Amateur Radio is one of the least expensive, 
competitive hobbies in the world. All we have to do is promote it.'

Phil Hadler G4CZU, Managing Director of Icom (UK) Ltd said, 'Icom UK are 
extremely pleased that the Icom Family has chosen to support IOTA. IOTA is 
an extremely prestigious event as well as being a fun way of getting into 
contesting.'

Speaking on why he thought it was important for Icom to be involved with 
IOTA, Phil added, 'Amateur 'Over recent years, Amateur Radio has faced some 
tough challenges. But with the success of events like IOTA and other 
contributing factors including the introduction of the foundation licence 
and the good work that clubs do in promoting the hobby in the UK, the tide 
is turning and a younger generation is being introduced to the hobby.'

He added, ' IOTA is a fun event, ideal for the serious and even not so 
serious contester and may well be a good route in getting younger people 
into the hobby. I do hope that the programme produces the result we expect, 
and further promotes the hobby as a whole. Pro operators in radio 
communication are hard to find these days, the event is a 'fun' way to train 
people.'

Dave Stockley G4ELP, Chairman and founder of Icom (UK) Ltd said, 'Having 
seen all there is to see over the last 30 years in the UK marketplace, it 
gives me great pleasure to see that Amateur Radio is still a relevant hobby 
and that Icom are still at the top, supplying an extensive range of Amateur 
Radio equipment, and are still integral in supporting the hobby. I think 
with the new software being introduced into the programme and with other 
initiatives in place, I think that the IOTA programme will go from strength 
to strength.'

About IOTA
IOTA is an award programme in which participants "collect" contacts with 
islands worldwide. These contacts count towards 18 separate certificates, 
graded in difficulty, for island chasers, as well as two prestigious awards 
for high achievement. The awards can be claimed by any eligible licensed 
radio amateur who can produce evidence of sufficient two-way communications 
with islands.

For the purposes of IOTA, the world's islands have been corralled into some 
1200 groups with varying numbers of qualifying islands (or counters) in 
each. The objective, for the island chaser, is to make radio contact with at 
least one counter in as many of these groups as possible. For the 
DXpeditioner, the objective is to provide such island contacts. The basic 
award is for working stations in 100 IOTA groups.

The IOTA Programme also produces an annual Honour Roll and other performance 
tables that are published on the IOTA web-site and the IOTA Directory. For 
both the island chaser and the island activator, IOTA is a fun pastime, 
adding much enjoyment to on the air activity.

IOTA has an estimated 15,000-20,000 followers, making it one of the most 
popular award programmes in amateur radio.

You can find out more about the programme at www.rsgbiota.org.uk