2023 BATC Activity Weekends & Contests
The BATC is holding twelve Activity or Contest Weekends, spaced at four-week (+/-) intervals during 2023.
As in 2022, the weekends will focus on three groups of bands on a repeating rota. Starting with January, the focus will be on 2m & Down + 23cm. In February the 13cm & Up + 23cm bands will be used, followed by March with the 70cm & 23cm bands. That will then repeat for subsequent four-week periods in the same order, with May & June being skipped as they are reserved for the set-up and all-band IARU contest weekends. To ensure that all stations can get some activity, 23cms should be used on every Activity Weekend during 2023.
Here is the calendar; note that dates in the Summer may be moved to avoid other BATC events:
| Date | Type | Bands |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 21/22 | Activity Weekend | 2m & Down + 23cm |
| Feb 18/19 | Activity Weekend | 13cm & Up + 23cm |
| Mar 18/19 | Activity Weekend | 70cm & 23cm |
| Apr 15/16 | Activity Weekend | 2m & Down + 23cm |
| May 13/14 | Activity Weekend | IARU prep - all bands |
| Jun 10/11 | IARU R1 Contest | All bands (2m & 4m UK only) |
| Jul 8/9 | Activity Weekend | 6m, 4m & 2m + 23cm (Es Special) |
| Aug 5/6 | Activity Weekend | 70cm & 23cm |
| Sep 2/3 | Activity Weekend | 13cm & Up + 23cm |
| Sep 30/31 | Activity Weekend | 2m & Down + 23cm |
| Oct 28/29 | Activity Weekend | 70cm & 23cm |
| Nov 25/26 | Activity Weekend | 13cm & Up + 23cm |
Our Dutch friends are holding six similar weekends in 2023 that have a competitive element to them. The April weekend coincides with ours.
| Date | Type | Bands |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 11/12 | Contest Activity Weekend | 70cm and up ATV all mode |
| Apr 15/16 | Contest Activity Weekend | 6m, 2m and 70cm DATV only |
| Jun 10/11 | Contest Activity Weekend | 70cm and up ATV all mode - IARU contest + 6m |
| Aug 19/20 | Contest Activity Weekend | 6m, 2m and 70cm DATV only |
| Sep 09/10 | Contest Activity Weekend | 70cm and up ATV all mode |
| Dec 09/10 | Contest Activity Weekend | 70cm and up ATV all mode |
As usual, there are no set times for activity operating, although you should be aware that stations taking part in the Veron Contest Activity Weekends operate from Saturday 12:00 UTC until Sunday 18:00 UTC. Please try to make use of the DXSpot.TV website to find activity. The Dutch ATV stations have used it far more than British ATVers clearly showing it helps to find ATV activity and set up contacts. The website is here: DxSpot.TV and is easy to use.