IOTA stands for "Islands On The Air," which is a popular amateur radio program organized by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB). The program encourages amateur radio operators to establish communications with stations located on islands around the world. The IOTA program aims to promote radio operation from islands, enhance the skills of amateur operators in setting up and operating efficient stations in varying conditions, and foster international goodwill.

The IOTA program is structured around contacting as many different islands as possible, each of which is assigned a unique reference number based on its geographical location and group. For example, islands are categorized by continent and then by group within that continent, such as "EU-005" for Great Britain in the European region.

Participants can earn awards and recognition based on the number of unique island groups they successfully contact and confirm. Confirmation typically involves exchanging QSL cards or using electronic confirmation systems such as Club Log's OQRS (Online QSL Request System) or the ARRL's Logbook of The World (LoTW).

There are several award levels within the IOTA program, ranging from contacting a modest number of island groups to contacting island groups from all around the world.

The IOTA program also includes annual contests and special events that encourage participation and make island activating or chasing more exciting. These activities often involve portable operations with operators setting up temporary stations on islands that may be rarely activated, providing unique opportunities for contacts.

The appeal of the IOTA program lies in the combination of technical radio skills, geography, travel, and the adventure of making contact with operators in remote and sometimes exotic locations. It's a highly respected and enjoyable aspect of the amateur radio hobby that attracts participants from all over the world.