🌊 Beyond the Horizon: The Indissoluble Bond Between WBA and IOTA Activations 🏝️

In the world of radio awards, there is one name that immediately evokes adventure, meticulous logistical planning, and the thrill of a great portable DX: the WBA Team and its prestigious WBA (World Beauties Award) 🏆. Since the inception of the project in June 2024, it was clear that the WBA would have a special connection with the sea. The rules themselves declare it, awarding the maximum score of 5 points to Minor Islands 🏝️✨.

However, there is an aspect that has literally rewritten the history of the 11-meter band: the extraordinary consistency and top-tier technical level of the IOTA (Islands on the Air) activations carried out by the Team 📻🌐. This radio saga does not stop at Division 165 alone; it unites operators from different countries and worldwide divisions, pushing forward to achieve historic milestones, including incredible and absolute “NEW ONEs” for the citizens band 🌍🔥.

📅 The Chronicle of Great Island Achievements 📝

The numbers do not lie: when the WBA Team lands on an island, the airwaves catch fire 💥. The combination of highly efficient field setups and high-gain directional antennas (like the famous 3-element Skypper beams 📐📡) allows the team to rack up impressive numbers in terms of QSOs, countries, and continents worked 🗺️.

🥇 Historic “First Times” on the 11-Meter Band

The pride and joy of the WBA is having broken new ground, radio-wise, in territories where the 11-meter band had never reached or was considered a mirage:

🏝️ Piana Island (Carloforte) – 165DA/I007 (IOTA EU-165): On September 20, 2024, an epic feat was accomplished. For the very first time in the history of the 11-meter band (“First time on HAM-11!!!” 🚀), Piana Island echoed through the airwaves, resulting in an exceptional log 📝.
🏝️ Asinara Island – 165DA/X001 (IOTA EU-165): Between October 3 and 4, 2025, operator 165DA101 Alex scored another spectacular and absolute NEW ONE (“First time on 11m” 🎯), bringing the WBA spirit to a wild paradise that was once completely inaccessible 🦏.
🏝️ Budelli Island – 165DA/M004 (IOTA): On July 30, 2025, once again, 165DA101 Alex pulled off a radio miracle by bringing the 11-meter band for only the second time in history to this sanctuary-island—a complex activation of priceless natural value 🌸.

🌐 A Network Without Borders: Divisions 1, 14, and 205

The WBA is not just about Sardinia. The strength of this award lies in its global nature and the close cooperation between different divisions:

🇮🇹 Division 1 (Italy) – Palms Island (Augusta) – 1DA/S029: On August 31, 2025, operator 1DA086 Carmelo flew the WBA flag high by activating this fascinating Sicilian reference 🌴🎙️.
🇫🇷 Division 14 (France) – Ouessant Island – 14DA/AT001 (IOTA EU-065): An extraordinary international expedition took place from March 27 to 30, 2026, led by the formidable operators 14DA028 and 14DA070 Frank 🇫🇷⚓, who braved the Atlantic to hand out 5 heavy points to WBA hunters 🌊🔋.
🇨🇻 Division 205 (Cape Verde) – Sao Vicente Island – 205DA/AF086: On March 6, 2026, operator 205DA004 Max proved the intercontinental reach of the WBA by activating this beautiful tropical island from his base station 🏝️📞.

Added to these milestones are the historic activations of Mediterranean strongholds such as Sant’Antioco Island (165DA/Y014) on September 4, 2024, Caprera Island (165DA/M005 – IOTA EU-041) on September 8, 2024, and San Pietro Island (165DA/Y013 – IOTA EU-165) in Carloforte on December 7, 2024 🛰️.

🔍 The Heart of WBA: “Inside IOTA” Activations 📍

There is a unique detail that sets the WBA Team’s approach apart from the rest. While many would limit themselves to transmitting from the main island’s beach, the WBA digs deep into the territory. The team is constantly committed to activating specific historical, architectural, archaeological, and natural references located inside the islands themselves, creating a breathtaking sub-network of Inside IOTA activations 🗺️⚡.

Division 165, driven by the relentless field activity of 165DA101 Alex, has turned this philosophy into a true trademark:

🚨 The Charm of Lighthouses (LOTA): Operating surrounded by the charm of maritime signaling 🧭. Examples include the Ex Capo Sperone Lighthouse (165DA/L03), activated on November 16, 2024, inside IOTA Sant’Antioco, and the legendary Capo Sandalo Lighthouse (165DA/L002) 💡, a magnificent field activation completed on January 17, 2026, within IOTA EU-165. They are joined by the highly suggestive Mangiabarche Lighthouse (165DA/L004) 🌊⚓, activated right from the field on March 8, 2026.
🏺 History and Archaeology: On January 18, 2025, the Archaeologic Park of Sulky (165DA/AP012) was illuminated via radio—a crucial 6-point activation combining DX passion with the promotion of Phoenician-Punic archaeological heritage 🏛️. On December 7, 2024, it was the turn of the historic Calasetta Tower (165DA/T002) 🏰, a field activation valid for 3 points.
🦩 Pristine Nature and Beaches: Bringing radio operations into protected natural paradises. Worth noting are the islet of Su Cardolinu (165DA/Y025) on March 23, 2025, Cirdu Pond – Punta Sa Giunchera (165DA/IFF1690) 🌿 on November 16, 2025, the stunning Coaquaddus Beach (165DA/BH004) 🏖️ on December 24, 2025 (a true Christmas gift to the airwaves!), and Maladroxia Beach (165DA/BH006) on February 16, 2026—all highly prized references located within the protected framework of Sant’Antioco Island.

🔁 An Endless Journey 🏎️💨

Looking back since that June 2024, the map of WBA’s IOTA and Inside IOTA activations is dizzying 🌀. Every single activation is not just a long list of QSOs put in the log, but a testament to transparency, reliability, and a deep love for our planet’s geography and history 🌍❤️.

From the Atlantic-battered cliffs of Ouessant to the Spanish towers and lighthouses perched over the Mediterranean, all the way to the beaches of Cape Verde, the SBOTA Team has proven that the 11-meter band knows no borders when driven by such pure passion 💯💫.

The generators are warm ⚡, and the Skypper beams are ready to be deployed in the wind 🌀📡. Stay tuned to the WBA frequencies: the next island, or the next mysterious Inside IOTA lighthouse, is already about to call QRZ! 🎙️📻 QRV? K!