BUNKERS ON THE AIR – SWEDEN – SMBOTA

Background

WWBOTA is an amateur radio awards scheme (like POTA and SOTA) focused on activating and hunting (chasing) bunkers. More information is on the WWBOTA homepage an navigation links here.

What is SMBOTA

SMBOTA invites amateur radio operators and SWLs to make contacts associated with qualifying bunker sites in Sweden. Participation is open to all licensed amateurs and listeners worldwide.

There are three ways to take part:

  • Activators operate portable stations from approved SMBOTA sites.
  • Hunters work SMBOTA activators from home, mobile, or portable stations.
  • SWLs (Shortwave Listeners) log and submit verified receptions.

SMBOTA is not a contest. There are no rankings, no pressure, and no fixed operating times. Contacts are made using standard amateur radio practices and exchanged information typically includes callsigns, signal reports, and the SMBOTA reference number.

What counts as a SMBOTA site?

Qualifying sites reflect Swedens’s 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 SMBOTA reference, which is fully compatible with the global WWBOTA system.

Logging, Spots and Technology

SMBOTA operators benefit from WWBOTA’s modern technical platform:

  • Centralized logging integration via the WWBOTA 
  • A dedicated WWBOTA spotting cluster for real‑time activity
  • Integration with Ham2K Polo for easy spotting and log synchronization
  • The WWBOTA Interactive Map, allowing users to explore SMBOTA and international bunker sites by location or reference number

This system ensures SMBOTA activations are visible worldwide and makes hunting simple and rewarding.

Awards and Events

Participation in SMBOTA counts toward WWBOTA lifetime awards for activators, hunters, and SWLs. Awards are automatically tracked and issued electronically in PDF format.

International operating events such as Bunkerfest and Winterfest encourage increased activity and friendly on‑air interaction across borders.

SMBOTA Reference List

To propose a new bunker for the SMBOTA list click the button below.

Propose a new SM Bunker
SchemeDXCCReferenceNameTypeLatLongLocator
Worldwide full list

SMBOTA Reference Map

Intersecting Bunkers

    Worldwide map

    SMBOTA Rules

    1. Only those bunkers listed with a WWBOTA reference number are valid for SMBOTA activations. A valid reference for SMBOTA is in the format B/SM-xxxx where xxxx is a number starting at 0001. 
    2. A bunker can be activated up to 1000m from the given coordinates, i.e. the ‘activation zone’ is 1000m.
    3. 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).
    4. A valid activation constitutes 25 QSO with different stations, QSO on different band earn an additional QSO for the activator but not the hunter. QSO in different modes do not earn additional credit.
    5. For current WWBOTA lifetime awards, each bunker activated scores once in a lifetime.
    6. WWBOTA and SMBOTA welcome multi-scheme activations, i.e. activators are encouraged to activate bunkers with valid references for other schemes (e.g. POTA and SOTA).
    7. Neither WWBOTA or SMBOTA take responsibility for activators: site access and safety is the sole responsibility of the activator. The listing of a bunker on this site (or any other WWBOTA site) does not imply any right of access. Whilst the list is compiled for public and open source material the activator is recommended to apply judgement with regarding to operating near sensitive or restricted sites.

    Logging

    1. Many activator chose Ham2K PoLo, other applications are available. Activators can upload their ADIF logs using WWBOTA Logger here. Note: The activator must have a WWBOTA account (WWBOTA.net login) to upload a log.
    2. Hunters QSO are extracted from Activator ADIF logs, hunters may also add additional QSO records. Note: The hunter must  have a WWBOTA account (WWBOTA.net login) to add QSO or view their log.

      WWBOTA Logger also provides the ability to view logs, statistics scores, awards, maps and more.

    Spotting

    1. Many activators spot via their Ham2K PoLo logging application.

    2. In addition, you may spot direct to the WWBOTA Cluster. (Spots via Ham2K PoLo go direct to the WWBOTA Cluster).

    Awards

    Presently SMBOTA does not offer national awards, however, WWBOTA awards are available, see here for more information see here. Award status for WWBOTA is available on WWBOTA Logger here.

    SMBOTA contact

    The SMBOTA national coordinator is:

    Kristian Norlin
    mail: SM3MLX@gmail.com