Scotland’s Wildlife Award (SWA)

About Scotland’s Wildlife Trust Reserves

Scotland’s Wildlife Trust nature reserves are protected and managed areas that help conserve Scotland’s habitats, species, and natural heritage. The SWA programme encourages responsible amateur radio activity associated with these important conservation areas, while respecting access conditions, safety requirements, landowner permissions, and environmental protection.

Only reserves listed in the official SWA list are valid for this award programme.

General Conditions

• All awards are issued in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.
• Participation is limited to licensed amateur radio operators who are current GMFF members.
• All QSOs must comply with amateur radio regulations and GMFF requirements.
• Only reserves listed in the official SWA list are valid for award purposes.
• The Award Manager reserves the right to request proof of any QSO, including confirmation from the activator.
• All information provided in the application must be accurate and complete.
• A reserve counts by its SWA reference as shown in the official list.
• Coastal and island reserves may be activated by portable or maritime mobile amateur radio stations, provided the operation is lawful and the station is operating from within the qualifying reserve area or within the permitted proximity rule stated below.

Chaser Awards – “Hunter Series”

The SWA Hunter Series is awarded for confirmed contacts with valid GMFF activations from Scotland’s Wildlife Trust reserves listed in the official SWA list.

Award Levels

• SWA 10 – Contacts with 10 different reserves
• SWA 20 – Contacts with 20 different reserves
• SWA 30 – Contacts with 30 different reserves
• SWA 40 – Contacts with 40 different reserves
• SWA 50 – Contacts with 50 different reserves
• SWA 60 – Contacts with 60 different reserves
• SWA 70 – Contacts with 70 different reserves
• SWA 80 – Contacts with 80 different reserves
• SWA 90 – Contacts with 90 different reserves
• SWA 100 – Contacts with 100 different reserves

Requirements

• Each QSO must be with a valid GMFF activation from a reserve listed in the official SWA list.
• Each qualifying contact must represent a different SWA reference.
• Repeat contacts with the same reserve do not increase the count toward a Hunter award level.
• QSOs may be made on any permitted amateur radio band or mode in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.
• Activator-to-activator QSOs may count toward chaser totals where permitted under the GMFF General Rules.

Activator Awards – “Explorer Series”

The SWA Explorer Series is awarded to operators and club stations activating different Scotland’s Wildlife Trust reserves.

Award Levels

• SWA Explorer 10 – 10 different reserve activations
• SWA Explorer 20 – 20 different reserve activations
• SWA Explorer 30 – 30 different reserve activations
• SWA Explorer 40 – 40 different reserve activations
• SWA Explorer 50 – 50 different reserve activations
• SWA Explorer 60 – 60 different reserve activations
• SWA Explorer 70 – 70 different reserve activations
• SWA Explorer 80 – 80 different reserve activations
• SWA Explorer 90 – 90 different reserve activations
• SWA Explorer 100 – 100 different reserve activations

Activation Requirements

• Operation must take place within the official boundaries of the reserve.
• Where this is not possible, operation is permitted within 100 metres of the nearest boundary point.
• Coastal and island reserves may be activated by maritime mobile amateur radio stations where lawful and practical.
• A minimum of 10 QSOs with different stations is required for a valid activation.
• All equipment, including antenna and power source, must be located within the qualifying location, except where the 100-metre boundary rule applies.
• Activators must obtain all necessary permissions to access and operate from a location.
• Holding an amateur radio licence does not automatically grant permission to operate from any site.
• Compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, site rules, environmental protections, and landowner requirements is mandatory.
• An activation counts once per SWA reference toward the Explorer totals, regardless of how many times that reserve is activated.
• Club stations may qualify, provided all operation is carried out under a valid callsign and in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.

Application Procedure

1. Pay the award fee.
2. Record your PayPal Transaction ID (required for application).
3. Download the appropriate application form:
   • Activator Application Form
   • Chaser Application Form
4. Complete the form in full.
5. Submit the application to info@gmff.uk.

Optional engraved plaques may be requested for any award, subject to current availability and pricing.

Please see the GMFF General Rules for the wider programme framework.

Links

Links:
SWA Official List: https://gmff.uk/swalist.xlsx
Activator Application Form: https://gmff.uk/swaactivatorapplication.ods
Chaser Application Form: https://gmff.uk/swachaserapplication.ods
GMFF General Rules: https://gmff.uk/gmff-awards-general-rules
Award Fee: https://gmff.uk/product/gmff-award-fee
GMFF Membership: https://gmff.uk/gmff-membership
Scottish Wildlife Trust: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Useful Map: https://kwirk.github.io/pota-gb-map
QRA Locator Map: https://www.egloff.eu/qralocator