📡 About LLOTA
What is LLOTA?
LLOTA (Lakes and Lagoons On The Air) is an amateur radio activation and hunting program focused on lakes, lagoons, and inland water bodies. LLOTA centers exclusively on lentic (still) water ecosystems - natural lakes, lagoons, reservoirs, and dams. The program was created in Chile and is expanding worldwide, connecting radio amateurs with nature through on-the-air operations from scenic waterfront locations.
The platform provides a reference map, live cluster for spotting, digital awards, and statistics.
Each eligible water body is assigned a unique reference code (e.g., LLMY-0001 for Malaysia)
that activators include in their ADIF log submissions.
How It Works
- Activators set up their station within 200 m of a registered water body and make at least 10 QSOs to complete a valid activation.
- Hunters contact activators from anywhere - no special location required. QSOs are validated automatically when the activator uploads their log.
- Spots are posted to the live cluster so the community knows when and where activations are happening. Self-spotting is allowed.
- Awards (digital diplomas) are generated automatically when you meet the requirements for activator, hunter, or unique reference categories.
Eligibility Rules
- Accepted: permanent lentic water bodies - natural lakes, lagoons, reservoirs, dams, marshes, and brackish coastal lagoons.
- Excluded: rivers and streams (lotic systems), temporary pools, and purely ornamental or industrial facilities.
- Minimum size: 400 m² (approximately 0.1 acre / 0.04 ha) of water surface.
- Public access: the shoreline must be accessible to the public (free, paid, or permit-based). Access requiring personal invitation is not eligible.
- Coordinates: must point to a location on the water surface.
Activation Requirements
- Operator must be within 200 m of the water's edge (or operating /MM on the water).
- Minimum 10 QSOs per activation to be valid.
- Log must be uploaded in ADIF format within 30 days, with
<MY_SIG>LLOTA</MY_SIG>and<MY_SIG_INFO>LLMY-xxxx</MY_SIG_INFO>fields. - Reference code format:
LLprefix + country code (e.g.,MYfor Malaysia) + sequential number.
Note for Malaysia: The reference codes (LLMY-0001 onwards) listed on this site are official LLOTA references for Malaysia. Coordinates point to the water surface. Always verify public access on the ground before activating.
Recommended logging app:
Polo by Ham2K is the best
portable logging app for this program. It runs on Android and iOS, works fully offline (ideal for
remote lakeshores), and exports ADIF logs ready for upload. Log LLOTA activations using Polo's
Custom Activity option with the MY_SIG / MY_SIG_INFO ADIF fields
set to LLOTA and your LLMY-xxxx reference code.