Regional & National Islands Awards
IOTA being the “standard” award programme, several countries are offereing awards for working “their” islands and islets.
I’ve been active chasing some of them.
Croatia
Sponsored by the croatian IARU society HRS.
Having
spent
many
summer
holidays
in
Croatia
this
definitely is my favourite national islands programme.
Info about this program may be found here.
Current standing: 428 confirmed islands.
Russia
As a kid I adored spy movies. The secrecy of the USSR
was so mysterious it fascinated me. The legendary
"box 88" used to be the only way to get russian QSLs
when I used to be a SWL. But even at those times I
corresponded with a HAM in the Udmurt SSR
republic... and even sent him gramophone records for
which one time I was convoked at the soviet embassy
in Brussels. Still wonder if the belgian secret services
had some files about me, hi.
Fortunately, these old days are gone but Russia kept
fascinating me... its culture ant not at least the HAMs
populating this enormous country.
Chasing russian awards provides an excellent
opportunity to learn more about the country... so I'm
an avid hunter of several russian award programs. The
Russian Robinson Award for working islands belonging
to the russian territory is definitely one of those.
Currently I have 223 russian islands confirmed.
Note: due to the barbarian war by Russia
inflicted upon Ukraine, I no longer participate
in this Russian programme.
Canada
A quick look at the map reveals some of the many
canadian islands. Ionospheric conditions permitting, I
dream about the icy conditions on some of these
islands while I'm hunting them from my cozy shack...
Click here to visit the official webpage.
Currently I have 40 canadian islands confirmed.
Chile
Ever tried to count the number of islands Chile counts?
From my part of the world it certainly isn't the easiest
national islands award to chase. Island activations
aren't as common as on the old continent and
sunspots are needed to keep the propagation path
open...
Click here to visit the official webpage.
Currently I have 13 canadian islands confirmed.
France
DIFM = Diplôme des Îles de la France Métropolitaine.
This award is available for confirmed islands along the
french atlantic and Mediterranean coast. An enjoyable
award program.
Click here to visit the official webpage.
Currently I have 79 french islands confirmed.
DIFO: Diplôme des Îles Françaises d'Outre Mer
Only french overseas islands (such as Martinique,
Réunion, Kerguelen, Guadeloupe, Tahiti, Marquesas,
etc) count for this award. The official webpage of the
DIFO can be found here.
Currently I have 28 french overseas islands confirmed.
Ukraine
UIA: Ukrainian Islands Award
The name says it all: you need to work ukrainian
islands to qualify for this award. Local spring and
summertime sees increased activity while portable
operations activate some islands in the Ukraine.
Visit the Ukrainian Islands Award webpage.
Currently I have 80 ukrainian islands confirmed.
Italy
IIA: Italian Islands Award
Numerous islands are to be found along the italian
coastline. Sardinia and Sicily being islands themselves
are also surrounded by lots of islets.
Currently I have 152 italian islands confirmed.
Denmark
DIA: DanishIslands Award
Except for Jylland, Denmark is made up of islands. No
problem to work the larger ones, but the tiny islets
prove to be a challenge...
Visit the DIA webpage by clicking here
Currently I have 33 danish islands confirmed.
Spain
DIE: Diploma Islas Espanolas
The award, both available as a paper certificate and as
six ceramic tiles, is available for working islands
belonging to the spanish territory, including the
Balearic and Canary Islands as well as the Ceuta &
Melilla region.
Visit the DIE webpage by clicking here
Currently I have 189 spanish islands confirmed.
Portugal
DIP: Diploma das Ilhas Portuguesas
Portugal is another country offering an award for
working national islands.
Visit the DIP webpage by clicking here.
Currently I have 34 portuguese islands confirmed.
Japan
JIIA: Japan IOTA Islands Award.
Except for the main Honshu Island, Japan consists of
numerous other islands. To promote contacts with
these islands, the Japanese IOTA Islands Award is being
sponsored.
Currently I have 19 japanse islands confirmed.
Germany
GIA: German Islands Award
DID: Deutsches Insel Diplom
The award is available for working islands along the
german coast (both Northsea and Baltic Sea).
Visit the DID/GIA webpage by clicking here
Currently I have 34 german islands confirmed.
Scotland
IOSA: Islands Of Scotland Award.
The scottish part of the United Kingdom counts several
islands. Some of them quite large, others can be very
tiny. Local HAMs tend to activate some of the less
frequently visited ones during their local summertime
giving the deserving a chance to work some new ones.
Currently I have 91 scottish islands confirmed.
Brazil
DIB: Diploma Ilhas Brasileiras Another south american
country which is offering an award for working islands
of its territory is Brazil.
Currently I have 28 brazilian islands confirmed.
Greece
GIOTA: Greek Islands On The Air.
Another attractive program for working national
islands comes from Greece.
Visit the GIOTA webpage by clicking here.
Currently I have 39 greek islands confirmed.