The problem of thermal convection in a rotating horizontal layer of porous medium is considered. The porous medium is described by the equations of Darcy with the fluid inertia retained. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of inertia when the boundary conditions are of Robin type, with special emphasis on the case of prescribed heat flux. A detailed explanation is provided for the inertia effect coupled with the effects of rotation and the thermal boundary conditions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.