Heritage On The Air

Preserving Our Heritage Through Amateur Radio

Discover HOTA

Upcoming Activations

These activations are coming up — get your radio ready and chase them!

HOTA No site image
Noupoort, NC
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 at 11:00 SAST (09:00 UTC)
ZS3WL
SSB – 7085 MHZ THEN 10,125 MHZ

What is HOTA?

Heritage On The Air is an amateur radio initiative that motivates operators to discover, learn about, and preserve history by activating historical sites across South Africa using SSB, AM, FM, CW and even Heliographs.

Activate Sites

Set up your station at registered heritage sites and make contacts to earn activation points and bring history to life on the airwaves.

Chase Activations

Contact activators from anywhere in the world. Log your contacts and climb the chaser leaderboard while learning about heritage sites.

Explore Heritage

Discover South Africa's rich cultural and historical landmarks. Every activation helps map and preserve our shared heritage for future generations.

Our Three Pillars

Amateur radio, historical landmarks, and cultural heritage come together in HOTA.

Amateur Radio operator at a heritage site

Amateur Radio

With the help of radio amateurs we're able to take back our history and keep it alive through on-air activations.

Historical landmark - Elandslaagte

Historical Landmarks

Plotting our historical landmarks is vital to keeping our heritage alive — and what better way than with amateur radio.

Hand coloured Anglo-Boer war picture postcard showing six Boer Commandants via Carol Hardijzer

Our Heritage

A concerted effort to preserve our heritage is a vital link to our cultural, educational, and inspirational legacies.

A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. — Marcus Garvey
624
Heritage Sites
401
Activations
156
Activators
77
Chasers

Recent Activations

The latest heritage sites brought to life on the airwaves by our activators.

09 Jun 2026

Test Site

TST1594 Battlefield 5 pts
ZS2UP
09 Jun 2026

Test Site

ZS1TEST
09 Jun 2026

Test Site

ZS1TEST
09 Jun 2026

Test Site

TST4224 Battlefield 5 pts
ZS2EU First Activation
09 Jun 2026

Test Site

TST1692 Battlefield 5 pts
ZS4PG
09 Jun 2026

Test Site

TST2962 Battlefield 50 pts
ZS3WH
09 Jun 2026

Test Site

ZS1TEST
09 Jun 2026

Test Site

ZS1TEST
09 Jun 2026

Test Site

ZS1TEST
09 Jun 2026

Test Site

ZS1TEST

How to Get Started

Getting involved with HOTA is straightforward. Follow these steps to begin your heritage radio journey.

1

Register

As a licensed radio amateur, register on the site as an Activator, a Chaser, or both. Only registered and approved HOTA sites can be activated for contest scoring.

2

Activate or Chase

Activators complete the activation form when visiting a site. Chasers fill in the chaser scorecard when making contact with a HOTA station.

3

Log & Upload

Record your contacts on the provided spreadsheet, then upload it to your profile. Check the Rules page for details.

4

Compete & Win

Annually, entries are frozen 2 weeks before the AGM to determine winners. Submit your spreadsheets within 5 days of the freeze date.

Ready to Explore?

Join a growing community of amateur radio operators preserving South Africa's heritage, one activation at a time.

Get Started Read the Rules