GOTA (Get-on-the-Air) Scoring FAQ

Individual operators of a GOTA station can earn points as follows:

• The individual operator of a GOTA station earns 5 GOTA Bonus points for any QSO made from the GOTA Station, regardless of the mode (CW, Phone, or Digital.)
• The QSOs made at the GOTA station will also count toward the total QSO points, but those QSOs will be scored the same as all other QSOs made by the primary Field Day operation.
• There is no limit to the number of QSOs that a GOTA operator can make.
• If the GOTA station is supervised by a designated GOTA Coach for at least 10 QSOs, a single 100-point GOTA Coach Bonus will be earned.

Q. Do you have to be a licensed amateur to operate the GOTA station?
A: An unlicensed person may never operate an amateur station. As per the FCC rules, they may participate by operating the station, but there must always be a licensee at the control point of the GOTA station with an operator's license class that allows them to use the band and mode being used.

Q: What is the maximum number of QSOs that may be completed and claimed by operators of the GOTA station?
A: There is no maximum number of QSOs that can be made by operators of the GOTA station.

Q: How do you earn GOTA bonus points?
A: As stated above, any QSOs made by operators at the GOTA station are worth 5 GOTA Bonus points, regardless of the mode (CW, Phone, or Digital) used. The 5 points per QSO only applies to GOTA Bonus points, and not to the Total QSO points.

Q: How do we claim the GOTA Bonus?
A: First, mark the appropriate area in Item 15 on the Summary Sheet. Then in Item 19 on the Summary Sheet, you must list the name and/or callsign of each operator of the GOTA station and the number of QSOs completed by that operator. Total up the number of GOTA QSOs made on each mode and transfer those totals to the GOTA line in Item 18. Enter the total number of all GOTA QSOs in Item 19 and multiply by 5 and enter in Total GOTA QSO Bonus points. If claiming the GOTA Coach Bonus, check the box and add 100 points to the total GOTA QSO Bonus points. Then transfer the Total GOTA Bonus Points to Item 15 of the summary sheet. If you do not complete Item 19, the GOTA bonus may be disallowed.

Q: How is the GOTA Coach Bonus calculated?
A: A single 100-point bonus can be earned by having a designated GOTA Coach present for at least 10 QSOS made from the GOTA Station. The GOTA Coach must be present and actively coaching the operator of the GOTA station to qualify for this bonus. If claiming the 100- point GOTA Coach Bonus, check the box below Item 19 on the summary sheet.

Q: Do we still earn QSO points for contacts made at the GOTA station?
A: Yes, but those QSOs will be scored the same as all other QSOs made by the primary Field Day operation and must be entered in the Band/Mode QSO breakdown in Item 18 as GOTA QSOs.

Revised 4/2026