Wetlands on the Air Award (WOTA)

WOTA – Wetlands On The Air is a GMFF award programme dedicated to the activation and chasing of internationally important wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention.

The programme is based on 2,528 Ramsar Sites worldwide, as listed by the Ramsar Sites Information Service (RSIS).

Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance. They include marshes, mires, peatlands, rivers, lakes, estuaries, deltas, coastal lagoons, mangroves, coral reefs, salt pans, floodplains, and other wetland ecosystems.

These sites are recognised for their ecological, hydrological, scientific, cultural, and conservation value. Many provide essential habitat for migratory birds, rare plants, fish, mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates. Ramsar wetlands also support flood control, water purification, carbon storage, climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable local livelihoods.

Purpose of the WOTA Award

The purpose of WOTA is to encourage amateur radio activity from Ramsar wetlands and to promote awareness of these internationally important sites.

The award is open to licensed amateur radio operators who are current GMFF members and who operate in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.

There are two award series:

WOTA Chaser Award – for stations who contact activators operating from WOTA references.

WOTA Activator Award – for stations who activate WOTA references by operating from qualifying Ramsar Sites.

WOTA References

Each WOTA reference is based on a Ramsar Site included in the WOTA Official List.

The WOTA Official List includes Ramsar Site information such as country, call sign prefix, Ramsar site number, GMFF/WOTA code, site name, administrative region, designation date, and reference coordinates.

Only sites included in the WOTA Official List are valid for this award programme.

Coordinates in the list are provided for quick reference and general orientation only. They should not be treated as exact legal boundaries. Activators are responsible for confirming that their operating position is within the qualifying Ramsar Site area, or within the permitted operating distance described below.

WOTA Chaser Award Series

The WOTA Chaser Award is issued for contacting different WOTA references.

Each WOTA reference may be counted once only for each award level.

The Chaser series is available at the following levels:

25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, and 500 different WOTA references.

Applicants must submit the relevant Chaser Application Form and provide the required QSO information.

WOTA Activator Award Series

The WOTA Activator Award is issued for activating different WOTA references.

Each WOTA reference may be counted once only for each award level.

The Activator series is available at the following levels:

25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, and 500 different WOTA references.

Applicants must submit the relevant Activator Application Form and provide the required activation and QSO information.

Activation Rules

To qualify as a valid WOTA activation, the activator must operate from within the boundary of the Ramsar Site listed in the WOTA Official List.

Where access is restricted, unsafe, environmentally sensitive, prohibited, or otherwise unsuitable, the activator may operate from within 100 metres of the nearest boundary of the Ramsar Site.

All transmitting equipment, including the operator position, radio, antenna, and power source, must be located within the qualifying area or within the permitted 100 metre proximity zone.

A valid WOTA activation requires a minimum of:

100 QSOs with different stations.

Duplicate QSOs with the same station during the same activation do not count towards the minimum QSO requirement.

Environmental and Access Requirements

WOTA activators must respect the conservation status of Ramsar Sites and operate responsibly at all times.

Activators must follow all local rules, access restrictions, landowner requirements, protected area regulations, visitor guidance, and environmental instructions.

Activators must avoid causing disturbance to wildlife, livestock, habitats, vegetation, watercourses, archaeological features, visitors, or site staff.

No activity should damage the site, obstruct access, interfere with conservation work, or create a hazard to the public.

If a site is closed, access is prohibited, or radio operation may cause disturbance, the activation must not take place from inside the site. In such cases, the permitted 100 metre proximity rule may be used where safe and lawful.

Bands and Modes

QSOs may be made on any amateur radio band and mode permitted by the operator’s licence and local regulations.

All operators must comply with the terms of their licence and the laws of the country in which they are operating.

Logs and Evidence

Applicants must keep accurate records of all claimed QSOs and activations.

The GMFF Award Manager or GMFF Committee may request supporting evidence where required.

This may include logs, QSL confirmations, eQSL records, location evidence, mapping screenshots, photographs, GPS information, or other reasonable proof of operation.

False, misleading, or unverifiable claims may be rejected.