SJDXA members;
I am quickly learning that researching what is an IOTA and what is not can be a little challenging.
Here are a few suggestions.
Use the IOTA web site to look IOTA reference numbers for island groups and specific islands.
There are two lists to use.
Follow the following tabs for the condensed “short title list”:
“IOTA DIRECTORY”
Then select the “Short Title IOTA Reference Number List”
This will give you the best quick IOTA reference list.
To further research individual island names in the various IOTA Groups, go here:
For a more detailed list, Follow the following tabs:
IOTA DIRECTORY
Then select IOTA ISLAND GROUP LISTINGS
Then select the appropriate continent
This gives you a full list of all detailed IOTA islands and reference numbers, but probably not necessary to print out. Could be used for deeper online research if needed, especially if you know the name of a particular island but do not know what grouping it is in.
Another thing that I did to prove some of the ones I’m rejecting was to search them up on dxsummit and read the spotter notes. Often they include the grid square especially for FT8 or ft4 being sent by the station you are researching. Most even include the 6 character grid. Then I go to the maidenhead search page to see where the grid square is located.
Here is the maidenhead grid square lookup site: https://www.levinecentral.com/ham/gridsquare.php
I have found that a few lookups on QRZ may list an IOTA, but when you lookup their posted grid square, and see where it is located, you may find that it is nowhere near any island. Either the guy doesn’t understand what an IOTA really is, or maybe he went to the IOTA “once upon a time” and left it in his “details”.
If you are using QRZCQ.COM, be aware that I have found more erroneous IOTA reference listings there so just be cautious. I would use the regular www.qrz.com site first.
Meanwhile, we have plenty of time.
If you are not sure, drop me an email.
If I come across any other resources to help you along, I will share them here.
The IOTA Program is a bit tedious at times mainly because there are so many islands out there. But it can be a lot of fun. Working 25 or 50 IOTA’s in 3 months should be attainable.
73!
de Bob Schenck, N2OO
President SJDXA!
GO SJDXA!