               
                      Welcome to the Islands of Scotland Award
                      ========================================


This award is administered by the IOSA Committee and is the creation of Les
Hamilton GM3ITN with support from Gavin Taylor GMØGAV, Dave Warburton GMØLVI
and Robert Ferguson GM3YTS.

Les Hamilton GM3ITN is one of the top UK stations on the Islands on the Air
(IOTA) Honour Roll.  He has devised an award that is extremely challenging;
particularly the higher graded awards.

We hope this award will encourage amateur radio operators from around the
world to contact or visit and activate some of the most beautiful and remote
parts of Scotland.

The islands of Scotland are beautiful places to visit where you will always
find a friendly welcome from these homely people.  Some activators from
abroad have already been to several islands and promise to return.

So why not give it a try?  You will not be disappointed.

During 1997 and 1998 the programme really took off - thanks to the
consistent activity of several activators.  It has perhaps suffered from
growing pains in that about 90% of all the islands in the directory have
already been activated and therefore new ones have been added.

To further your interest in the Scottish Islands there are several very
informative publications which would be of assistance to the visitor,
activator and chaser alike.

Some are:

* The Scottish Islands by Hamish Haswell-Smith
  (Publishers:Canongate Books Ltd of Edinburgh)

* The Western Islands Handbook (Publishers: Kittiwake Press)

* The Outer Hebrides Handbook and Guide (Publishers: Kittiwake Press)

* The Orkney Guide Book by Charles Tait of Orkney

Happy hunting and happy activating!

                         =====================


The IOSA Committee wish to thank the Radio Society of Great Britain for
publishing details of the IOSA programme in the RSGB IOTA Directory and
Yearbook and for their kind permission to extract some details of the
IOTA rules, which have been adapted for use in the IOSA directory.


          Rules for the Islands of Scotland Award Programme
          ==================================================
                     

PART .. 1 
=========

Effective from 1 January 2001
=============================

(A)  Award Requirements
A.1	In order to encourage operations from the islands there will 
be two classes of awards - one for the chasers and the other for those
 who activate the islands - the activators.
A.2 The islands listed in the directory are the only ones eligible for
 the awards.Due to the popularity of the programme new islands have 
been added bringing the total from 170 to 210.(As from 1st January,2001)
A.3  THE AWARDS
A.3 Chasers and activators have different goals to achieve and the
 awards are graded as follows:

 
          CHASERS                                          ACTIVATORS

Basic10 islands in 6 island groups            Basic5 islands in 3 island groups
Silver25 islands in 7 island groups           Silver12 islands in 4 island groups
Gold50 islands in 8 island groups             Gold25 islands in 5 island groups
Supreme75 islands in 10 island groups         Supreme40 islands in 7 island groups	       
Century100 islands in 10 islands groups       Laird O'The Isles50 islands in 10 island groups 
Honour Roll101 islands in 10 island groups    Honour Roll 51 islands in 10 island groups
Eilean Mhor150 islands in 10 island groups    Eilean Mhor 60 islands in 10 island groups 
Islander200 islands in 10 island groups       Islander135 islands in 10 island groups 
Millenium Any 35 islands in IOSA directory    Millenium Activate any 10 islands in Directory 

NEW RULES
Directory Addendum 1st December,2000, HERE

A.4.1 When the Supreme level is attained an optional quaich can be claimed which is engraved with the applicant's name, callsign and award details.  This may be claimed by both chasers and activators.  The cost of the quaich may vary so please ask for details when applying for the Supreme Award certificate.  **Only directory holders can claim awards.**

A plaque may be claimed by chasers who attain Honour Roll, and by activators who attain Laird O' The Isles standard.  The Eilean Mhor award is also available.

Those attaining the maximum award levels will have their achievements published at least annually in the GMDX Group Digest.

A.4.2 The Islands of Scotland Directory currently costs £6 or US$10 or 16 IRCs and this should be applied for in the first instance.  The purchase of the directory includes the cost of the basic certificate when claimed.  

A.4.3  If cheques are the preferred method of payment, only UK cheques are accepted and these should be made payable to "Islands of Scotland Award".

A.4.4 Please claim your awards only on the application form as shown in the directory.  This form must be used and it may be copied if you wish.  When completing this form please list your islands in the order as shown in the Directory of Islands i.e. Clyde first, Firth of Lorne second etc.  When applying to upgrade to a higher award only the additional certified lists are required.  Likewise, the accompanying application form must show the corresponding islands claimed.

A.4.5   Remember the basic awards are free.  The current costs of the award certificates are as follows:
 					

	Basic,	Return postage only - this award is free
	Silver,	GBP - £5 or US$10 or 12 IRCs plus return postage
	Gold,	GBP - £5 or US$10 or 12 IRCs plus return postage
	Supreme,GBP - £5 or US$10 or 12 IRCs plus return postage
                Optional trophy -- see below.
	Century,GBP - £5 or US$10 or 12 IRCs plus return postage
        Honour Roll,No charge for updates, but return postage
                Optional trophy -- see below.
	Eilean Mhor,GBP - £5 or US$10 or 12 IRCs plus return postage
                Optional Trophy -- see below.
        Islander,GBP - £5 or US $10 or 12 IRC's, plus return postage.
        Millenium Award,GBP - £3 0R US $5 OR 7 IRC's, plus return postage.

NOTE..If it is desired that application documents be returned, postage must be enclosed.

For details of the Supreme Quaich (and photograph),the Honour Roll Plaque and the
Eilean Mhor Trophy, (See Quaich page.)
 
A.4.6 In recognition of effort, all activators' awards are issued free of charge.  They may also claim credits for the islands they activate towards the chasers' awards.  QSL cards can be supplied free to activators but they will need to overprint their callsigns and personal details.  Chasers may purchase these QSL cards from the IOSA Committee if they wish.

==============================================================================


PART .. 2 
==========

Effective from 1 January 2001
=============================

(B) General Rules
------------------


B.1	Two islands have been deleted from the programme - Rockall (formerly OL5) and the Scares (formerly SF4). Fifty two new islands have been added to the list making a total of 170.  The 52 new islands are shown in italics in the Quick Reference Directory of Islands and credits for these islands can only be claimed when activated after the 1st January 1999.  
They will NOT be backdated

NOTE :- (As from 1st January, 2001, the directory is increased from 170 to 210 islands,these will only be valid from that date.) See Addendum page.

B.2 All applicants for awards must be IOSA directory holders and be current licensed amateurs or short wave listeners.  All contacts must be made with licensed amateur stations.  Short wave listeners may apply for the chasers' awards but they must also be directory holders.

B.3.1 All contacts must be made by the applicant from the same DXCC country using a callsign issued personally to him/her by their licensing authority.  The only exception to this rule is shown in the next item B.3.2.

B.3.2  Any activator who, while activating an IOSA island listed in the directory has a QSO with another activator on a listed IOSA island may claim that contact for the chaser's award.  This is in recognition of the efforts of island activators who visit and activate the islands and who live outside Scotland.   These may only be claimed since the inception of the IOSA programme.

B.4 With the exception of contacts made under Rules B.1 (new islands) and B.3.2 , all other contacts must have taken place since 1 November 1947 and must have been made on the 1.8, 3.5, 7, 10, 14, 18, 21, 24, 28, 29 MHz bands or any VHF band including 50 MHz.  Cross band, cross mode, satellite and repeater contacts are not valid.   There are no award endorsements for any particular mode.  Maritime mobile contacts are not allowed.

B.5  Contacts are valid from any location in the same DXCC country, including while the operator is land mobile.		

B.6  From the 1st December, 2000, GCR (General Certification Rules ) will apply to QSL's for both the Standard and Millenium Awards. These are required by the claimant which must be certified by an officialof an National Amateur Radio Society or by two officials of an Amateur Radio Club affiliated to the participant's National AmateurRadio Society. GCRrules will apply to lists of QSO's certified by an activator or certified log entries or certified lists of QSL cards. Only Certified List(s) of not previously credited islands, along with the I.O.S.A. application form (which may be copied from the directory) are required to be submitted for awards or updates.

DO NOT send QSL cards to the I.O.S.A. Manager.

Chasers relying on certified log extracts are advised to seek confirmation from activators of any possibly doubtful or marginal contacts in order to avoid submitting a claim that may be refused after cross checking logs.

The I.O.S.A. Committee reserve the right to make cross checks between certified lists and activators logs, at their discretion.

		
(C) Rules for Activators

C.1	 Activators must submit their logs.  Photocopies or computer printouts are acceptable.  For each island claimed, activators must show evidence that they have made a minimum of 100 QSOs with different stations and must include 5 DXCC countries outside the United Kingdom.

C.2  The complete station of an activator must be on an island.  This means all 
parts of the station from the power supply to the antenna.  Operations from boats are not allowed even if tied up or anchored in a harbour.

C.3  Activators may be required to show proof of permission to operate together with proof of landing from certain islands, particularly those owned or managed by the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage or those otherwise owned.  The islands marked with an asterisk * in the Directory of Islands are those for which it may be necessary to have landing and/or operating permission.  This does not apply to any directory holder who is a resident or who has a second home on an island. "Permission" is deemed to be the authority to land AND operate an amateur radio station on an island.  In some cases more than one agency may be involved.  The holding of an amateur radio licence in itself does not give permission to operate from any island.  Any existing legislation will not negate any conditions that an island owner, occupant, user, tenant, lessee or whoever may reasonably impose with regard to accessing an island.  This is to maintain the integrity of the award programme and ensure all activators are acting responsibly.

C.3.1 In cases of doubt or of any suspected irregularity the IOSA Committee will request an activator to provide information as requested in rule C.3 above.  If an activator objects, fails to co-operate, or is otherwise obstructive, the IOSA Committee have the right to take action which may result in the activator being excluded from the programme.  It is believed an honest activator has nothing to hide and would willingly supply any information requested by the IOSA Committee.  Some activators have already given this information voluntarily and this is welcomed.  

C.3.2 When non-co-operation occurs and, more so, when award rules are broken, the overall integrity of the programme is judged of primary importance and continued participation in IOSA by the person concerned may no longer be possible.   

C.4.  S.W.L. Cards.
Activators must indicate on the QSL card or certified list sent to the swl, the call sign of the station that they were in QSO with at the time reported by the swl.

==============================================================================

PART .. 3 
=========
                  Effective from 1 January 2001
                  ==============================

(D)  Guidance to Activators
---------------------------

D.1 Permission.

Please ensure that you have all the necessary permissions to land on and activate your chosen island(s).  In the cases of many uninhabited islands this may best be done before you set out on your expeditions.  

D.2 Proof of Activation
During your expeditions try and collect some kind of evidence of your presence on the island.  This may take several forms:

A photograph showing yourself and station with some identifiable feature of the island especially if that island is not inhabited.  In other islands a name plaque, road sign, or other suitable location may be useful.

Have someone sign your logbook with their name and address with the date and time.  The boatman or carrier would be suitable as long as they are traceable.

Boat tickets, invoices, official receipts, etc., may be good corroboration.

Asigned statement from a recognised official on the island giving dates, times and who witnessed your presence on the island.  Again remember they must be traceable.
These are only a few suggestions which may be of assistance to the activator.  It is up to them how they collect their information in case it may be needed later.  Always retain any documentary evidence.

 D.3 Island Activation.

Some island activations have caused problems when more than one activator has arrived on an island and operated at the same time.  Furthermore, some activators have in good faith intimated well in advance by good advertising that they intend to activate an island and this is welcomed, especially by overseas directory holders.

Any activator(s) considering the activation of any of the listed islands should notify the IOSA Committee of their intentions as soon as possible to allow circulation of this information.  This would allow any activator(s) who intend to activate the same island the opportunity to resolve a simultaneous activation and come to a mutual agreement.  

In order to prevent difficult situations the IOSA Committee will try and co-ordinate intended activations in an attempt to prevent these clashes between activators, if asked to do so.  This can only be done with full co-operation from the activators with a resolve to avoid visiting islands simultaneously unless already agreed between them.

The IOSA Committee therefore suggest to those who intend to activate islands to inform them with as much advance notice as possible and publicity will be given by radio, packet, Internet or whatever means available.

D.4   Method of Operation    

This is entirely at the discretion of an activator provided it does not contravene licensing conditions.

D.5  QSLing

Activators are asked to QSL ALL requests whether direct or via the bureau. This may be an onerous task but failure to do so will reflect badly on the activator and also the IOSA programme.	

(E)  Management of IOSA

E.1
The IOSA Committee administers the IOSA programme.  It consists of five persons who are all members of the parent body, the GMDX Group.  They are as follows:

    Rob Ferguson GM3YTS (Chairman)      Les Hamilton GM3ITN
    Dave Warburton GMØLVI               Charlie Wilson GM4UZY 
                         Eric Brown GØKJW

All correspondence should be addressed to GM4UZY QTHR - see F.1 below.

E.2  Liability of the IOSA Committee

Neither the IOSA Committee nor the GMDX Group nor any member of these committees can accept any responsibility for any financial or other loss resulting from action taken by any participant on the basis of any provision within this directory or any communications with them.

E.3 The IOSA Committee's Discretion

All participants, including chasers, swl's and activators, participating in the programme shall co-operate with the I.O.S.A. Committee. In particular and without prejudice to the forgoing generality, participants shall provide, on request of the I.O.S.A. Committee or a member thereof, such information as is deemed necessary by the Committee to preserve the credibility of the programme. Should any participant not comply or otherwise co-operate with the reasonable requests of the I.O.S.A. Committee or should the participant act or fail to act in a manner which is prejudicial to the running of the programme then the applicant's participation in the I.O.S.A. may, at the sole discretion of the Committee, be terminated. 
The decision of the I.O.S.A. Committee shall be final. 

Rule E.4

The rules contained within this Directory shall be subject to the laws and jurisdiction of Scotland.

Rule E.5

The contents of the Island of Scotland Award directory are the copyright © of the GMDX Group/I.O.S.A. Committee and the reproduction of the contents including Island lists, rules and awards either in print or electronically is strictly forbidden unless authority in writing is obtained from the GMDX Group/I.O.S.A. Committee.

(F) Applications

F.1 
Directory and Award applications should be addressed to:
Charlie Wilson GM4UZY
Golden Acre
1 Borrowfield Crescent
Montrose, Angus
Scotland UK
DD10  9BR
Note:The additions, changes and deletions are effective from 1st December 2000 and are relevant to all I.O.S.A. directories from Directory No 001.

                 © GMDX Group, IOSA Committee 2000

              