GOM - the Global Overlay Mapping System

Layer Notes - IOTA (Island On The Air)

This overlay shows the IOTA reference numbers for islands qualifying in the popular 'Islands On The Air' award-scheme, also used in the annual IOTA competion. Created in 1964 by Geoff Watts, a leading SWL and editor of the famous DX News Sheet (DXNS), it was taken over by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) in 1985, and is an amateur radio activity program designed to encourage contacts with island Amateur Radio stations world-wide. The ocean's islands have been grouped into some 1200 IOTA groups, full details of which can be found in the highly recommended 'RSGB IOTA Directory', published by and available from the RSGB's main website. A list of all current IOTA island groups, plus the latest IOTA news, can be found at the RSGB's IOTA website. There are also many internet sites which provide additional information, lists, and photos of island expeditions.

The Global Overlay Mapping System is believed to me the first ever mapping system to include all IOTA references present in its coverage-areas. Note: Some references have been omitted on the continental maps, due to problems of space, but all are present on the sub-continental maps.