Rules & How-To
TOTA — Towers On The Air is a worldwide lookout tower programme for radio amateurs. The programme encourages amateur radio operators to visit, activate and work lookout towers while combining radio activity with outdoor recreation and the discovery of interesting towers and viewpoints.
1. Definition of an Eligible TOTA Tower
To be included in the TOTA — Towers On The Air programme, a structure must meet the following conditions.
1.1 Permanent structure
The structure must be a permanent construction fixed to the ground.
1.2 Man-made construction
The structure must be built by humans. Natural formations alone are not considered towers.
An exception may apply where a natural formation has a permanent viewing structure, such as a viewing platform, tower or railing installed for visitors.
1.3 Viewing function
The structure must provide a view of the surrounding landscape. Examples include:
- Tourist observation towers
- Historic towers used as viewpoints
- Park observation towers
- Modern lookout structures
- Other permanent structures specifically designed to provide a panoramic view
1.4 Public accessibility
The tower must be accessible to the public, either:
- Permanently
- Seasonally
- Occasionally
Access restrictions may apply, but the tower must have a legitimate public viewing function.
1.5 Independent structure
The structure must function as a lookout or viewing structure. The following are normally not eligible:
- Natural viewpoints without a constructed viewing structure
- Radio masts without a viewing platform
- Communication towers without a viewing function
- Water towers without a viewing function
- Temporary structures
Some structures may be accepted after individual evaluation by the TOTA management.
2. TOTA References
Only towers included in the official TOTA database are valid for TOTA activity. Each approved tower receives a unique TOTA reference. For Belgium, approved TOTA references are available through the BOS! Maps and the TOTA section of the Belgium Outdoorshack website.
3. Requesting a New TOTA Tower Reference
Belgian activators and other interested parties are encouraged to propose new towers for inclusion in the TOTA programme. Suggestions can be submitted to BOS! via email at info@belgiumoutdoorshack.be.
New tower proposals must be submitted using the official TOTA Request Form
Fill in the online form — no Excel file needed. Your request is sent directly and securely to the BOS! management. No other format will be accepted.
After evaluation and approval by both the BOS! Manager and wwTOTA, the new tower will be added to:
- The official TOTA database
- The BOS! Maps
- The available TOTA references
4. How to Perform a Valid TOTA Activation
4.1 Location of the Activator
To qualify as a TOTA activator, the radio operator must transmit:
- From the lookout tower itself, or
- Within a maximum distance of 200 metres from the tower
This requirement applies to activators. The activator must ensure that the station is operated within the permitted activation area.
5. Amateur Radio Bands and Modes
Contacts may be made on all amateur radio bands using any legal mode of operation. Examples include:
- HF
- VHF
- UHF
- CW
- SSB
- FM
- Digital modes
- Satellite
The use of amateur radio satellites is permitted.
Repeaters
Contacts made through active terrestrial amateur radio repeaters are not valid for TOTA. Direct contacts are therefore recommended for normal TOTA activity.
6. Requirements for a Valid QSO
A valid TOTA contact must contain the required information. The QSO should include:
- Callsign
- Signal report
- Name
It is recommended that the operator also exchanges the name of the lookout tower and the TOTA reference. However, the tower name and reference are not required during contests or when operating abroad. For CW, the name is not required.
Important for Activators
The TOTA reference must always be included in the activator's submitted log. The log must be submitted through tota.belgiumoutdoorshack.be. After registration/login you can upload your log and it will be automatically synchronized with the wwTOTA database.
7. Duplicate Contacts
Contacts with the same station may be repeated. However, for the contact to count as a new TOTA contact, the required combination must be unique. The basic unique combination is:
Tower / Activator / Hunter
This means that working the same station from the same tower does not create another valid unique contact for the same combination.
VHF — for VHF scoring, the unique combination additionally includes the band:
Tower / Activator / Hunter / Band
8. Activator Requirements
A TOTA activation can count towards the relevant diplomas when the required number of valid QSOs has been completed. The minimum number of valid QSOs is:
| Category | Minimum QSOs |
|---|---|
| VHF | 3 |
| HF | 13 |
These minimum requirements apply to each activation.
Example
An activator operates from a TOTA tower on HF and makes 13 valid QSOs. The activation qualifies for the Special Diploma. If the activator makes only 10 valid HF QSOs, the activation does not meet the minimum requirement for the Special Diploma.
9. Activator Scoring
1 contact from an activated lookout tower = 1 activation point. Multiple activations of the same tower are permitted. However, scoring is based on unique combinations of Tower / Activator / Hunter. For VHF, the band is also part of the unique combination: Tower / Activator / Hunter / Band.
10. Diploma Activator
For the Special Diploma, the number of different lookout towers activated is counted. A unique activation therefore contributes towards the total number of different TOTA towers activated. Repeated activations of the same tower do not create an additional different tower for the Diploma.
11. Hunter Scoring
A hunter can work TOTA activators from anywhere within the permitted amateur radio bands and modes. For the hunter, 1 unique QSO = 1 point. The unique combination is Tower / Activator / Hunter. For the Special Diploma, the number of different lookout towers worked is counted. Therefore, working the same tower again with the same activator does not create another different tower for the Special Diploma.
12. New Towers
Newly built lookout towers may also become valid TOTA references. They must first:
- Meet the TOTA eligibility requirements.
- Be submitted using the official TOTA Request Form.
- Be evaluated by the BOS! management.
- Be approved by wwTOTA.
- Be added to the official TOTA database.
Only after inclusion in the official TOTA reference list can activity from the tower count as TOTA activity.
13. Start Date and Validity of Contacts
TOTA diploma contacts are valid from 1 July 2026.
14. Combining TOTA with Other Programs
TOTA activations may be combined with other amateur radio programmes, for example:
- WWFF
- GMA
- SOTA
- POTA
- BOTA
- WCA
- Lighthouse programmes
- Other recognised amateur radio programmes
This allows operators to combine their TOTA activity with other outdoor radio programmes, provided that the rules of each individual programme are respected.
15. Activator Checklist
Before starting your activation, check the following:
Location
- ☐ I am at the correct TOTA reference.
- ☐ I am on the tower or within 200 metres of the tower.
Radio operation
- ☐ I am using a legal amateur radio band.
- ☐ I am using a permitted amateur radio mode.
- ☐ I am not using an active terrestrial repeater.
QSOs
- ☐ I exchange callsigns.
- ☐ I exchange signal reports.
- ☐ I exchange my name where required.
- ☐ I give the tower name and TOTA reference where practical.
- ☐ I record every QSO accurately.
Activation requirements
- ☐ HF activation: minimum 13 valid QSOs for the Special Diploma.
- ☐ VHF activation: minimum 3 valid QSOs for the Special Diploma.
Log submission
- ☐ I include the correct TOTA reference in my log.
- ☐ I upload my log to the BOS! TOTA system.
16. Important Reminder
The success of TOTA depends on accurate logging and respect for the programme rules. Activators are responsible for:
- Operating within the 200-metre activation limit.
- Using a valid TOTA reference.
- Making the required number of QSOs where applicable.
- Recording accurate logs.
- Submitting the log with the correct TOTA reference.
Hunters are responsible for recording their contacts accurately.
For questions concerning TOTA references, new tower proposals or the Belgian TOTA programme, contact BOS! — Belgium Outdoorshack at info@belgiumoutdoorshack.be.
TOTA — Towers On The Air
Explore. Activate. Connect.
73 and good luck with your TOTA activations!