AOTA Activation Notes - 2026

All Radio Amateur Stations Worldwide are welcome to take part, and in particular RAFARS Members/RAF Air Cadet Squadrons/Clubs/Societies are welcomed to take part and put on as many AOTA Stations as possible which would help make it a great success.

The dates are the first and second weekends of April, but an AOTA SES can be put on any other time of the year if you wish. All that is needed to put a Station on air is either a current or dis-used RAF Military Establishment which was used during the wars or perhaps may still be in current use. The usual Amateur Radio Licensing Regulations apply for Special Event Stations. You can either use a SES, GX or /P callsign to make it possible for your activation to give out points to other operators.

You must register with the RAFARS AOTA Manager by completing the Activation Form below with details of callsign to be used, the Location of the Airfield, Name and Callsign of person operating or running the SES.

Once you have registered, you will then be able to inform stations that you are on the AOTA Activation's list and points can be claimed from your Station by any Station or SWL for an AOTA SES Certificate.

The operating details are primarily SSB or CW on any Amateur Band. However, RAFARS have decided to now include DATA, AM and FM modes in the activation's. PSK31, FT8, RTTY and Olivia 16/500 Data Modes will all be accepted. It is appreciated that virtually no airfield information can be given, but the recipient station is able to look up your callsigns, which will also be on the RAFARS website.

Certificates are available for all Radio Amateurs/SWL, so to obtain a Certificate you must work/hear a minimum of 5 AOTA Registered SES's for a Bronze Certificate, 25 for a Silver and 50 AOTA Registered SES's for a Gold Certificate.

There is no charge for the certificates, they will be issued by email in PDF format for printing by the recipient.  To request a Certificate simply send the details from your log: Date, Time, Callsign, Band, Location, Operator Name, Name of Airfield or RAF Military Establishment in ADIF or EXCEL format to m0skt@outlook.com, don't forget to include the email address for the award of the certificate to be sent to.

Updated 09 Jan 26