Besides the cations of pristine diamondoids consisting only of carbon and hydrogen, cations of nitrogen-containing adamantane derivates have received attention lately . In the context of astrochemistry, the interest stems from recent detection of aromatic nitriles in the interstellar medium . Recently, the EPD optical spectrum and fragmentation pathways of the cyanoadamantane cation (Ada-CN + ) were reported by Crandall et al. . Another nitrogen-containing derivate cation which has gained interest is the amantadine cation (Ama + or Ada-NH + 2 ), which has been studied by infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectroscopy by the group of Dopfer . It was found that substitution of a hydrogen atom (of the adamantane cage) with the NH 2 group greatly facilitates opening of the adamantane cage . The optical spectrum of Ama + has not been reported so far though. We also note that an IRPD spectrum for Ada-CN + was presented by the same group .