On January 11-12, 2025, the iBOTA - Beaches On The Air activation took place at the picturesque Pantai Kerang Mas in Lampung Timur. This event was a resounding success, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the shorecasters: YB4TM, YB4SNK, YC4SMD, YC4SJA, YF4SDS, and YG4SDN.
The beach was sponsored by YC4SJA, who, along with the rest of the team, made almost 700 QSOs. The activation not only provided a fun and engaging experience for all participants but also promoted the beautiful beaches around the world, not just those in Indonesia.
The main purpose of the iBOTA program is to have fun and promote beaches globally. However, it also serves as an amateur radio award program where participants can earn points. Points are automatically generated by the system when a QSO is confirmed by both shorecasters and waveriders. These points can be viewed on the user profile, and a confirmation QSO is essential based on the simple rules of the program.
The activation saw the six shorecasters operating in shifts of just about 8 - 10 hours all together, working exclusively on the 7.130 MHz 40m band, resulting in almost 700 QSOs.
Pantai Kerang Mas, often referred to as the "Hidden Gem of Lampung Timur," offers pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal location for such an activation. The event was a fantastic opportunity for amateur radio enthusiasts to connect with fellow operators around the world and contribute to the global BOTA community.
We encourage all waveriders and iBOTA chasers to log their QSOs on the iBOTA website and check their points on their profiles. For more information, you can refer to the simple rules on the iBOTA website.
Thank you to everyone who participated and made this event a memorable success! 🌊📡