The IOTA Directory currently lists Pillar Rock as the only island qualifying for the Andhra Pradesh State North group AS-178P. Recently a close investigation of the rock based on drone photos and videos has raised serious concerns about the safety of an IOTA radio operation. The central rock has a serious overhang, caused by erosion heavily carved in on the side facing away from the mainland. Advice from local fishermen is that the rock would be unsafe to climb, not because of the level of difficulty involved but because of the risk that a part of the upper half of the rock could give way and break without warning from any significant weight placed on it, simply because of its shape and the relatively brittle material it is made of.
Listing of the rock as a qualifying island in the Directory revision of 2000 was based on nothing more than its appearance as a spot on a marine chart, so nothing was known about the rock’s condition. Management has decided that any attempt to establish a radio operation from Pillar Rock would be too dangerous and is removing it with immediate effect as an AS-178P qualifier. In its place it has added Hope Island at 16º 58N. This is a recognised island but with a long tail of sandbar/shingle at the southern end stretching at least 11 km to the "Tail of Hope”, and even beyond into the extensive Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, a 100 sq km mangrove forest straddled by canals and swamp. Management takes the view that, given its isolation from anything constituting mainland, it can reasonably qualify as a counter. However, in fairness to all activators who might consider activating this new one it has felt it necessary to insert a delay in implementation of the decision and will only consider operations that take place from Hope Island on or after 1 September 2025.
G3KMA and the IOTA Team
