Terminology :
Here’s a breakdown of the terminology provided, explained clearly:
ROBOTA Bunker:
Refers to a bunker that’s listed on the main WWBOTA List. You can find the most up-to-date version of this list at https://wwbota.net/ and also on https://www.robota.org.ro.
Qualifying sites reflect unique defence and infrastructure history and may include:
- Cold War–era military and civil defence installations
- Coastal defence batteries and fortifications
- Radar, communications, and early‑warning sites
- Underground command, control, and communications facilities
- Supporting military infrastructure with historical significance
Each site is researched, documented, and assigned a unique ROBOTA reference, which is fully compatible with the global WWBOTA system.
Activator:
An activator is a radio amateur station that operates near/from a bunker. In other words, they set up and conduct radio communications directly near/from a bunker location.
Hunter:
A hunter is a station that seeks out and communicates with activator stations. They engage in QSOs (radio contacts) with stations that are located at bunkers.
SWLs (Shortwave Listeners):
Log and submit verified receptions.
Safety and Permissions:
- Activators are advised to request permission from landowners and conduct a personal safety assessment before performing an activation.
- Listing a bunker on our ROBOTA reference list in no way indicates that a bunker or its vicinity is either safe or legal to enter. Always ask for permission.
- ROBOTA assumes no responsibility for issues arising from activating a bunker.
- ROBOTA is not responsible for an activator’s failure to secure proper access or for personal safety concerns.
Activation Guidelines:
- All existing bunkers and war shelters are eligible for activation.
- Activations must be portable or mobile, within a maximum radius of 1 km(1000m) from the bunker.
- Bunkers cannot be activated by fixed stations using mains power from a home location. However, “portable and mobile activations” from home locations are permitted, for example, from home gardens if they happen to fall within the activation zone.
- The use of /P and /M attached to the callsign is NOT required in Romania and is therefore recommended for ROBOTA activations.
- Generally, an activator requires 25 QSOs on HF or mixed HF/UHF/VHF, or 5 on UHF/VHF only, to make an activation valid and these activations can be completed over different days. QSO on different bands with the same hunter count as an additional QSO towards the validation requirement. QSO using different modes with the same hunter do not count as an additional QSO towards the validation requirement (unless they occur on a different day).Digital modes are allowed (FT4/FT8)
- Activators can use all legal frequencies and modes, with the exception of repeaters or the internet, stations which are not permitted.
Activating more than one bunker at a time:
Normally, activating a bunker requires standing within its specific activation zone. However, when bunkers are placed close together, their activation zones can intersect.
Up to 5 bunkers can be activated at the same time but the activator must be within 1000m of every bunker’s given coordinates, i.e. only where all activation zones overlap (Venn diagram style).