Towers On The Air - DX Zuid-Limburg World Wide TOTA – Towers On The Air
Op komst in toekomst..... Er zijn in Zuid-Limburg een aantal mooie torens, uitzichtpunten, welke in deze database opgenomen kunnen worden.
https://rozhledny.eu/registrace.php
What is TOTA?
TOTA is an international amateur radio award program combining operation from towers, observation and historical structures. Lookout towers are observation structures built for tourism, orientation in the landscape, or as part of castles and technical buildings. A viewpoint with an artificial observation structure – such as a platform, walkway or gallery – can also be considered a tower if its main purpose is to provide a view. The aim is to highlight cultural and technical landmarks, motivate portable ham activity and allow chasers to collect unique QSOs from towers.
1) National manager
Each country has its own national manager (coordinator), who maintains the national list of lookout towers and is responsible for the operation of the program at the national level. Their tasks include defining local rules, managing national websites, collecting logs from activators, verifying and evaluating them, issuing diplomas, and communicating with the international program management.
2) Definition of a tower
A lookout tower is considered to be a viewing or historical tower intended for tourism, landscape orientation, or as part of technical or cultural structures. A viewpoint with an artificial structure – such as a platform, footbridge, or gallery – may also be recognized as a lookout tower if its main purpose is to provide a view of the surroundings. The program may also include telecommunication towers with an accessible observation deck, provided they meet the same criteria.
3) Definition of an activation
An activator is a radio amateur who carries out transmissions from a lookout tower. They must be located directly at the tower or in its immediate vicinity, within the maximum distance specified by the national conditions.
To have an activation recognized, the activator must:
make the minimum number of QSOs defined by national rules,
use the suffix /P (portable) after their callsign,
keep a complete and accurate activation log,
comply with applicable legal and safety regulations,
respect local conditions (e.g. opening hours of the tower, access restrictions).
The activator is responsible for the accuracy of the data in the log and its timely submission to the national manager.
4) Reference
Each lookout tower included in the program has its unique reference, which is part of international coordination. A unified template is used in the format:
XXR-0000
XX = country code (e.g. OK, OE, DL, SP …),
R = the letter as in toweR,
0000 = four-digit number assigned according to national rules.
This system ensures consistent designation of all lookout towers across countries and allows their unambiguous identification within the program.
5) National extensions
Individual countries (through their national coordinators) may establish their own additional rules. These rules may specify, for example, the maximum distance from the tower, the minimum number of QSOs required for recognition of an activation, the scoring method, permitted modes of operation, recognition of first activations, or conditions for awarding diplomas.
National extensions allow the program to be adapted to local conditions and traditions, but they must not conflict with the international program rules.