Historic Towns & Places On The Air Rules

Eligibility

PPOTA is open to all licensed amateur radio operators worldwide. You must have a valid amateur radio license to participate as an activator or hunter.

Valid References

Only properties listed in the official PPOTA database are valid for activations. References must be towns, places, or historic sites of cultural interest. They must have fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, be associated with rural areas, and have been built in 1999 or earlier.

Operational Modes

All amateur radio modes are permitted: SSB, CW, FM, digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31, etc.), and any other mode authorized by your license. Direct, simplex, and groundwave operation are permitted.

Frequency Restrictions

Operators must comply with the frequency allocations permitted by their country and license category, respect band plans, and avoid interference with other services.

Responsibility and Safety

All activations are carried out under the sole responsibility and discretion of the operator. The activator must assess site conditions, access, weather, personal safety, permits, private property, and current regulations before operating. PPOTA is not responsible for accidents, damages, losses, violations, or any other consequence arising from the operator's activity.

Location

You must operate within the town or place, or within a maximum radius of 200 meters from its buildings.

The activator may not activate the town or place where their QTH or habitual residence is registered. Activation must be performed from a reference other than their place of residence.

Minimal Contacts

A valid activation requires at least 5 QSOs with different stations, on any band or allowed mode.

Activation Period

All contacts for an activation must be made within the same UTC day, from 00:00 to 23:59 UTC. If the operation crosses the UTC day change, subsequent contacts count toward a new UTC date and must again meet the minimum requirements.

Registration Submission

The log must be submitted within 15 days of activation and include callsigns, date, UTC time, band, mode, and reference.

Valid Contacts

To claim a reference as a hunter, you must make a valid two-way contact with an activator operating from that reference.

Multiple Contacts

You can work the same reference multiple times across different bands, modes, or dates. Each unique combination counts toward your hunter total.

Confirmation

Contacts are automatically confirmed when the activator sends their record. QSL cards are not required, but are recommended.

Respect nature and the environment

Leave no trace. Take care of the activation sites, respecting the flora, fauna, private property, paths, access points, and local regulations.

Operate within the regulations

Respect the laws, regulations, and privileges of your amateur radio license. Use only the bands, modes, power levels, and callsigns permitted for your license category and country.

Be polite on air

Maintain an orderly, patient, and respectful operation. Avoid interfering, calling out of turn, interrupting other operators, or creating frequency conflicts.

Respect activators and hunters

Activators must operate clearly, confirm contacts correctly, and manage the pileup fairly. Hunters must listen before calling, respect the activator's instructions, and avoid repetitive calls.

Prioritize safety

Your safety comes first. Assess weather, terrain, access, schedules, battery life, water, and site conditions before and during the activation.

Record and report honestly

Send accurate logs, without fabricated contacts, intentional duplicates, or false information. Log integrity is fundamental to program validity.

Take care of the community

Treat everyone with respect, without discrimination, insults, provocations, or abusive behavior. Resolve differences politely.

Represent the program well

Every activation and every contact reflects the image of the community. Act responsibly, with a collaborative spirit and a commitment to amateur radio.