A 48-hour annual on-air activity for radio amateurs who enjoy the IOTA programme and PSK operation.
This programme was established on 28 March 2026 in honour of the 20th Anniversary of the European PSK Club (2006–2026). It is not a contest, but a form of active leisure for radio amateurs designed to bring together everyone who is passionate about the IOTA Programme and PSK operation in one shared annual on-air event.
EPC IOTA Weekend takes place on the first weekend of June each year, lasts for 48 hours, and welcomes both activators operating from IOTA islands and hunters working such expeditions. All participants may also work one another, regardless of where their stations are located.
- Format. EPC IOTA Weekend is an annual 48-hour amateur radio activity and not a contest.
- Schedule. It is held every year on the first weekend of June, from Saturday through Sunday.
- In 2026. The first EPC IOTA Weekend will be held on 6–7 June 2026.
- Bands. Operation may take place on all HF bands from 1.8 to 52 MHz on the recommended EPC frequencies.
- Recommended mode. BPSK63.
- Activators. Activators are invited to operate from islands under the IOTA Programme.
- Hunters. Hunters are invited to work such island expeditions.
- General contacts. All participants may work one another; station location does not restrict eligibility for QSOs.
- Claim submission. To qualify for EPC awards, participants must upload their ADIF log through the UltimateAAC Award Management Software.
- Single qualifying period. All qualifying QSOs for one award claim must be completed within the same 48-hour EPC IOTA Weekend in one calendar year.
EPC IOTA Weekend was created to bring together enthusiasts of the IOTA Programme and PSK operation on the air, to concentrate activity into one convenient annual period, and to give participants a dedicated opportunity to make qualifying QSOs.
The programme supports both island activations and mainland operation. QSOs between all participants are welcome, and the resulting contacts may be used for special EPC awards based on the uploaded log data.
- IOTA activators — for operating from islands and qualifying for the A-series awards and CSA.
- Hunters — for working island stations and qualifying for the H-series and general awards.
- EPC club stations — additionally for qualifying for the special CSA and CSH awards.
- QRP operators — additionally for qualifying for the dedicated EPC IOTA QRP award.
The event is held on the first weekend of June each year. The calendar below covers the years 2026 through 2030 inclusive.
| Year | Dates | Days | Duration | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6–7 June 2026 | Saturday–Sunday | 48 hours | Year of establishment |
| 2027 | 5–6 June 2027 | Saturday–Sunday | 48 hours | First weekend of June |
| 2028 | 3–4 June 2028 | Saturday–Sunday | 48 hours | First weekend of June |
| 2029 | 2–3 June 2029 | Saturday–Sunday | 48 hours | First weekend of June |
| 2030 | 1–2 June 2030 | Saturday–Sunday | 48 hours | First weekend of June |
Issued for making 100 QSOs while operating from an IOTA island during EPC IOTA Weekend.
Issued for making 200 QSOs while operating from an IOTA island during EPC IOTA Weekend.
Issued for making 300 QSOs while operating from an IOTA island during EPC IOTA Weekend.
Issued for making 400 QSOs while operating from an IOTA island during EPC IOTA Weekend.
Issued for making 500 QSOs while operating from an IOTA island during EPC IOTA Weekend.
Issued for QSOs with 10 different islands.
Issued for QSOs with 20 different islands.
Issued for QSOs with 30 different islands.
Issued for QSOs with 40 different islands.
Issued for QSOs with 50 different islands.
Issued for making 100 QSOs during EPC IOTA Weekend.
Issued for making 200 QSOs during EPC IOTA Weekend.
Issued for making 300 QSOs during EPC IOTA Weekend.
Issued for making 400 QSOs during EPC IOTA Weekend.
Issued for making 500 QSOs during EPC IOTA Weekend.
Issued for 100 QSOs made at low power. Output power must not exceed 5 watts.
Issued for QSOs with 10 different IOTA islands within Europe.
Issued for QSOs with 20 different IOTA islands within Europe.
Issued for QSOs with 30 different IOTA islands within Europe.
Issued for QSOs with 40 different IOTA islands within Europe.
Issued for QSOs with 50 different IOTA islands within Europe.
Issued to an EPC club station operating from an IOTA island and making at least 100 QSOs during the weekend.
Issued to an EPC club station operating from the mainland and making at least 100 QSOs during the weekend.
- All qualifying QSOs for a particular claim must be completed within one 48-hour event period.
- QSOs from different calendar years may not be combined for one claim.
- The basis for an award is the uploaded ADIF log.
- Claims are processed through UltimateAAC Award Management Software.
- All awards are governed by the EPC Awards General Rules.
- Participants are encouraged to use the EPC HF Bandplan and the recommended EPC frequencies.
