XXII C.O.T.A. - HamAward

Cluster Hunters Activators Statistics Rules

Participation: open to all Italian and foreign OMs and SWLs

Period: from 00:01 UTC on May 20, 2026 to 23:59 UTC on June 05, 2026.
The last valid call will be at 23:59 UTC on June 05, 2026

Bands: 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, 40 m and 80 m in the segments recommended by the IARU - Region 1

Modes: SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK31, FT8, FT4

Stations: the following stations will be active:
Special Stations IQ6CC, IQ6CC/ZONE (alternating from all regions of Italy)
COTA Local Group Stations,
Amateur Radio Stations of members regularly enrolled in the Carabinieri Amateur Radio Association (complete list on www.cota.cc)

On May 25, 2026, May 31, 2026 and June 05, 2026 from 00:01 UTC to 23:59 UTC there will be "The C.O.T.A. Award Special Day 2026", all activating stations, enrolled in the Cota Amateur Radio Association, will award DOUBLE points compared to those provided on the other days, for each contact.

OFFICIAL SOFTWARE FOR ACTIVATORS: "HAMAWARD" (https://hamaward.cloud/)

QSO Points:
Contacts with the Special Stations are worth 10 points in SSB, 5 points in CW, 2 points in digital;
Contacts with the L.G. Stations are worth 5 points in SSB, 3 points in CW, 2 points in digital;
Contacts with activating stations are worth 3 points in SSB, 2 points in CW and digital;

Each Station may be worked only once per day per band and mode of emission, multiple contacts with the special station from different regions of Italy are possible (e.g. May 25, 2026 contact on 40 meters with IQ6CC/7…..IQ6CC/2….IQ6CC/1...etc.)

Reports:
All Stations will pass RST without progressive number;

Call: in SSB, "CQ 22nd C.O.T.A. Award", in CW and in Digital "CQ COTA (e.g. IW7..)"

Award Points:
to obtain the award, which can be downloaded directly from the "HAMWARD" platform at the end of the activity, it is necessary to have achieved the following score:
"Bronze" Award: 300 points;
"Silver" Award: 500 points;
"Gold" Award: 800 points

Possibility of alternative reception of the Award in paper format on parchment:
Those who wish to receive the exclusive award on paper/parchment must send detailed communication to the e-mail address: diploma@cota.cc

In the request specify in detail:
Call sign of the requesting OM/YL/SWL station;
Name, Surname, detailed exact postal address where to send the COTA Award;
Own e-mail address and possible telephone number;
Copy of the payment of euro 25.00 including printing and shipping of the award.

Operational notes - The following will not be considered:
Communications and/or requests sent to an address other than diploma@cota.cc ;
Communications that upon verification should turn out to be incomplete and/or lacking part of the documentation required by the regulation;
Communications received after June 20, 2026.

Important notes for SWLs:
To participate in the SWL category it is appreciated to be in possession of the relevant call sign issued by the competent Authority which must be mentioned in the body of the request which in this single case will be forwarded directly to the e-mail address: diploma@cota.cc attaching log extract in adif and/or cabrillo format. Also for this category it is possible to receive, if desired, in addition to the award in electronic format which will be sent in response to the request made, also the one in paper/parchment format following the instructions described above. No ranking is provided for the SWL category.

Participation in the event constitutes for all participants explicit willingness to accept the regulation and contextual diligent commitment to ensure the proper conduct of the event. Should any abuse and/or irregularities emerge, they must be immediately reported to the Award Manager Gianluca IW7EBB, through the e-mail address diploma@cota.cc or iw7ebb@cota.cc, who may unappealably take all appropriate decisions to ensure the regular running of the event, including the expulsion and cancellation of the contacts made up to the moment of the dispute.

Rankings and Prizes:
The first three classified in the hunters category will be awarded with a special recognition. All members who will make themselves available as activators will be awarded with a special recognition dedicated to the event. No merit ranking is provided among activating members.

The awarding of the XXII C.O.T.A. Award 2026 will take place on a date and place to be determined.

The proceeds net of expenses will be donated to O.N.A.O.M.A.C.

Payment can be made through:
Payment on postal account number 000060567955 Made out to: Associazione Radioamatori Carabinieri C.O.T.A. , Via Bramanrte 38 - 60022 Castelfidardo (AN) Italy (Note: only for Italy)
PayPal (form on website www.cota.cc);
Bank transfer: IBAN: IT 04 L 07601 02600 000060567955 ; BIC: BPPIITRRXXX (Note: bank transfers from countries outside the European Union are not accepted)

The painting of the award will be dedicated to/will depict the Carabinieri Environmental Protection Department.

We remind that whoever wishes, can make a voluntary donation, the entire amount will be donated to the National Organization for the Assistance of Orphans of Military Personnel of the Carabinieri Corps

For information: http://www.cota.cc or diploma@cota.cc

Award Manager: IW7EBB Gianluca.

Every decision of the Award Committee will be final and unappealable.

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