2026 Bunkerteer Challenge

This special event for UKBOTA activators, hunters and SWL runs from 1st January to 31st December 2026

2026 Bunkerteer ACTIVATOR Challengs

First Contact (New Recruits Only) (2)
  • Activate a bunker, on each of two different days, on HF (25 QSO each).
  • Activate a bunker on VHF  (5 QSO, simplex only – no repeaters, any band or combination of bands 50MHz and above).
The Frequency Front: (7)
  • Complete a bunker activation entirely on 80m
  • Complete a bunker activation entirely on 40m
  • Complete a bunker activation entirely on 20m
  • Complete a bunker activation entirely on 15m
  • Complete a bunker activation entirely on 10m
  • Complete a bunker activation entirely on 6m with a minimum of 10 QSO
  • Complete a bunker activation entirely on 2m with a minimum of 10 QSO
Band Buster (3)
  • Full Spectrum – Complete a single UKBOTA activation (25 QSO) using a minimum of 5 bands (HF and/or VHF)
  • The Spread Eagle – Complete a bunker activation working “Split” *RX on one Freq TX on another Freq during activation
  • Triple Play – Make contacts on HF, VHF(min 5) and UHF(min 5) in one activation
VHF & Up Challenge: (3)
  • Complete a VHF bunker activation using no fewer than 2 bands (multimode allowed – min 10 contacts – 4/6/2/70 and higher allowed)
  • Complete a VHF bunker activation entirely on SSB (min 10 contacts)
  • Complete a VHF bunker activation entirely on FM (min 10 contacts)
Silent Service: (1)
  • Complete a bunker activation entirely on CW
Data Burst (4)
  • Complete a bunker activation entirely on RTTY
  • Work 10 stations using SSTV from UKBOTA bunkers (can be over multiple activations)
  • Make a minimum of five digital data QSOs on each of 3 different digital data modes excluding PSK Modes, FT modes, RTTY or SSTV
  • Activate a UKBOTA Bunker in both voice and digital data modes during the same activation on 5 Separate occasions. *At least five on the first mode, followed by a further 20 on another mode – Example: 5 QSO’s on FT8 + 20 QSO’s on SSB = Bunker Activated!
 Twin Strongholds (6)
  •  Complete 5 bunker to bunker QSO on CW (can be over multiple activations)
  • Complete 5 bunker to bunker QSO, each on a different day, on 80m (can be over multiple activations)
  • Complete 5 bunker to bunker QSO, each on a different day,  on 40m (can be over multiple activations)
  • Complete 5 bunker to bunker QSO, each on a different day,  on 20m (can be over multiple activations)
  • Complete 5 bunker to bunker QSO, each on a different day,  on 15m (can be over multiple activations)
  • Complete 5 bunker to bunker QSO, each on a different day, on 10m (can be over multiple activations)
The Outpost Missions (5)
  • Across the Pond – Work 20 different USA States from UKBOTA Bunkers (can be over multiple activations)
  • Club Tropicana – Work 5 different Caribbean countries from UKBOTA Bunkers
  • Island Hopper – Activate UKBOTA bunkers from 5 different islands (UK and Crown Dependencies) (5 different IOTA)
  • Project DX  – Work 20 DXCC from the same activation (includes all UK DXCC and separate DXCC). Must include 2 DXCC outside Europe/UK.
  • Project DX II – 40 DXCC from the same activation (includes all UK DXCC as separate DXCC). Must include 3 DXCC outside Europe/UK.
Long Watch: (7)
  • First Watch – Work 100 or more stations from a single activation
  • Second Watch – Work 150 or more stations from a single activation
  • Third Watch – Work 500 or more stations from the same bunker (can be over multiple activations!). The same station can be worked on different days.
  • Final Watch – Work 1000 or more stations from the same bunker (can be over multiple activations!). The same station can be worked on different days.
  • Weekly Watch – Activate a bunker on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and a Sunday.  Does not have to be the same bunker, or on consecutive days
  • Operation Rapid Fire – Activate 5 bunkers on a single day. Multi-sites e.g. 2fer, 3fer etc. only count as a single site for this.  10 Min beak between activations if in a 2fer etc
  • Continuous Signal – Stay on air from a bunker for at least 2 continuous hours.
 Hidden Signal: (3)
  • Flying Solo – Without spotting yourself, start your activation on an unannounced frequency, get noticed and then spotted to the UKBOTA cluster by a 3rd party. 5 Activations.
  • Operation Whisper – Activate a UK bunker using 5W or less
  • MiliWatt Mission – QRPp Challenge – Complete an activation at 250 mW or less
 Mission Multi-scheme: (3)
  • A Light in the Dark – Complete two separate activations, each with at least one bunker and one lighthouse reference(s) in the same activation
  • A Walk in the Park – Activate from a UKBOTA bunker and a POTA park, simultaneously,  on a minimum of 10 different days.
  • A Breath of Fresh Air – Complete two separate activations, each with at least one bunker and one WWFF reference(s) in the same activation”
Bunker Explorer UK: (6)
  • England – Activate 3 bunkers in England, each bunker must be activated on a different day
  • Scotland – Activate 3 bunkers in Scotland, each bunker must be activated on a different day
  • Northern Ireland – Activate 3 bunkers in Northern Ireland, each bunker must be activated on a different day
  • Wales – Activate 3 bunkers in Wales, each bunker must be activated on a different day
  • Isle of Man – Activate 3 bunkers on the Isle of Man, each bunker must be activated on a different day
  • Channel Islands – Activate 3 bunkers on the Channel Islands, each bunker must be activated on a different day
Multi-site activation: (3)
  • Double Strike – Activate 10 2fer bunkers
  • Triple Threat – Activate five 3fer bunkers
  • Quad Assault – Activate two 4fer bunkers
Operation Chronos: (5)
  • Grey Line Guard – Complete an activation entirely with greyline QSO’s  (+- 30 minutes of local sunrise or sunset)
  • Nightwatch – Activate 3 Nightwatch bunkers between 1900- 0400 UTC (3 different activations)
  • Dawnbuster – Activate 3 Dawnbuster bunkers (0400 – 0900 UTC) (3 different activations)
  • Sky Hunter – Activate a bunker during a meteor shower or aurora alert Perseid Shower  17 Jul to 24 Aug, Quadrantids Shower 3rd – 4th Jan, Leonids Shower 14th – 21st Nov)
  • Blackout – Activate a bunker during a solar or lunar eclipse  (Solar 17 Feb 2026, 12 Aug 2026, Lunar 3 Mar 2026, 28 Aug 2026)
Heritage Trail: (7)
  • The Trifecta – Activate 3 bunkers on the same day, 1 each relating to the three services of the UKs Armed Forces. Activate 1 Coastal, 1 Airfield, 1 Pillbox
  • Command & Control  – 1 x Local Government and 1 x Communications (BBC, Telecoms, maybe a ROTOR)
  • Public Protection – Activate 5 x Air Raid Shelters
  • The Saint(s) – Complete a successful Activation on the Patron Saints day of that bunker (1 point each) ( St. George’s Day – England,  St. Andrews Day – Scotland,  St. David’s Day – Wales,  St. Patrick’s Day  Northern Ireland)
Operation Paper Trail (2)
  • Signal Scout  – Invite a non-licensed amateur to activate a bunker with you. Show them how to log contacts and get them on the air.
  • Signed & Sealed – Produce an electronic QSL card that includes both the UKBOTA and WWBOTA logos that is different for 5 separate bunker activations, use them to respond to cards received from Hunters and SWLs.
Field Engineer: (7)
  • The Homebrew Challenge – Use a homebrew transceiver (can be a kit) to complete an activation (HF – 25 QSO, VHF – 10 QSO) on any band – 5 points
  • Operation Last Resort – Random Object Antenna – Activate a bunker on any band or using any mode of your choice using any object which has not been manufactured as an antenna!  Think farmers gate, shopping trolley or lightbulb! Be sure to post a picture!”
  • Operation Improvise – Activate using a wire antenna only, you must construct a temporary mast or antenna support on site. You may only bring your antenna and radio, no poles, brackets or supports. Using your ingenuity set up your antenna and get on the air.
Bonus: (1)
Give a talk in person or online to your local amateur radio club on the subject of bunkers on the air or Visit/Help/Promote UKBOTA Stand at a rally, show, exhibition or similar. 

2026 Bunkerteer HUNTER Challenge

First Contact (New Recruits Only) (2)
  • Work 5 different bunker activations on HF
  • Work 5 different bunker activations on VHF
The Frequency Front: (7)
  • Work 5 UKBOTA bunker activations on 80m
  • Work 5 UKBOTA bunker activations on 40m
  • Work 5 UKBOTA bunker activations on 20m
  • Work 5 UKBOTA bunker activations on 15m
  • Work 5 UKBOTA bunker activations on 10m
  • Work 5 UKBOTA bunker activations on 6m
  • Work 5 UKBOTA bunker activations on 2m
Band Buster (2)
  • Full Spectrum – Work a single UKBOTA activation using a minimum of 3 bands (HF or VHF)
  • The Spread Eagle – Work a bunker activation working “Split” *RX on one Freq TX on another

VHF & Up Challenge: (3)

  • Work a VHF bunker activation using no fewer than  2 bands VHF/UHF (multimode allowed – 4/6/2/70 and higher allowed)
  • Work 5 VHF bunker activations on SSB
  • Work 5 VHF bunker activations on FM

Silent Service: (1)

  • Work a bunker activation on CW
Data Burst (4)
  • Work 5 UKBOTA Bunkers on RTTY
  • Work 10 UKBOTA Bunkers using SSTV
  • Work a minimum of five bunker digital data QSOs on each of 3 different digital data modes excluding PSK Modes, FT modes, RTTY or SSTV
  • Work the same UKBOTA Bunker in both voice and digital data modes during the same activation on 5 Separate occasions.

The Outpost Missions (5)

  • Across the Pond – Work 5 North American activations
  • WWBOTA Bonanza – Work a bunker from any 6 different WWBOTA Schemes
  • Island Hopper – Work UKBOTA bunkers activating on 5 different islands (UK and Crown Dependencies) (5 different IOTA)
  • PROJECT DX – WWBOTA Bunker activations. At least 1 must be outside Europe
  • Project DX II – Work 100 WWBOTA Bunker activations. At least 5 must be outside Europe
Long Watch: (6)
  • First Watch – Work the same bunker activator 10 times
  • Second Watch – Work the same bunker activator 50 times
  • Third Watch – Work the same bunker activator 100 times
  • Final Watch – Work the same bunker activator 500 times
  • Weekly Watch – Hunt a bunker on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and a Sunday. Does not have to be the same bunker, or on consecutive days.
  • Operation Rapid Fire – Hunt 15 UKBOTA Bunkers on a single day Multi-sites e.g. 2fer, 3fer etc. only count as a single site for this.
Hidden Signal: (3)
  • Flying Solo – Spot an unspotted activation on the WWBOTA Cluster 5 times.
  • Operation Whisper – Work 5 UKBOTA bunkers using 5W or less
  • MiliWatt Mission – QRPp Challenge – Work 5 UKBOTA bunker using 250 mW or less
Mission Multi-scheme: (3)
  • A Light in the Dark – Work 5 separate activations, each with at least one bunker and one lighthouse reference(s) in the same activation
  • A Walk in the Park – Work a UKBOTA bunker and a POTA park, simultaneously, on a minimum of 20 different days.
  • A Breath of Fresh Air – Work at least 5 separate activations, each with at least one bunker and one WWFF reference(s) in the same activation
Bunker Explorer UK: (6)
  • England – Work at least 500 different bunkers in England
  • Scotland – Work 150 different bunkers in Scotland
  • Northern Ireland – Work 18 different bunkers in Northern Ireland
  • Wales – Work 45 different bunkers in Wales
  • Isle of Man – Work 2 different bunkers on the Isle of Man
  • Channel Islands – Work 3 different bunkers on the Channel Islands

Multi-site activation: (3)

  • Double Strike – Work 10 2fer bunkers
  • Triple Threat – Work 5 3fer bunkers
  • Quad Assault – Work 5 4fer bunkers
Operation Chronos (5)
  • Grey Line Guard – Work 10 UKBOTA bunkers entirely with greyline QSO’s (+- 30 minutes of local sunrise or sunset)
  • Nightwatch – Work 10 UKBOTA Nightwatch bunkers between 1900- 0400 UTC
  • Dawnbuster – Work 10 UKBOTA Dawnbuster bunkers (0400 – 0900 UTC)
  • Sky Hunter – Work a UKBOTA bunker during a meteor shower or aurora alert (eg. Perseid Shower 17 Jul to 24 Aug, Quadrantids Shower 3rd – 4th Jan, Leonids Shower 14th – 21st Nov)
  • Blackout – Work a UKBOTA bunker during a solar or lunar eclipse (e.g. Solar 17 Feb 2026, 12 Aug 2026, Lunar 3 Mar 2026, 28 Aug 2026)

Heritage Trail: (7)

  • The Trifecta : – Work 3 bunkers on the same day, 1 each relating to the three services of the UKs Armed Forces. Activate 1 Coastal, 1 Airfield, 1 Pillbox
  • Command & Control – Work at least 3 bunker activations that include 1 x Local Government and 1 x Communications (BBC, Telecoms, maybe a ROTOR)
  • Public Protection – Work 20 x Air Raid Shelters
  • The Saint(s) – Work a bunker activation on the Patron Saints day of that bunker (1 point each) (St. George’s Day – England, St. Andrews Day – Scotland, St. David’s Day – Wales,  St. Patrick’s Day – Northern Ireland)
Operation Paper Trail (2)
 
  • Signal Scout  – Invite a non-licensed amateur to work a bunker with you show them how to log contacts and get them on the air.
  • Signed & Sealed – Produce an electronic QSL card that includes both the UKBOTA and WWBOTA logos that is different for 5 bunkers you have successfully hunted. Use it to respond to cards received from Activators & SWLs.
Field Engineer: (7)
 
  • The Homebrew Challenge – Use a homebrew transceiver (can be a kit) to hunt 5 UKBOTA Activations (HF – 25 QSO, VHF – 10 QSO) on any band – 5 points
  • Operation Last Resort – Random Object Antenna – Work a bunker on any band or using any mode of your choice using any object which has not been manufactured as an antenna! Think garden gate, shopping trolley or lightbulb! Be sure to post a picture!
  • Operation Improvise – Whilst portable (it can be in your own garden) hunt using a wire antenna only, you must not use your main station antenna, mast or poles. Using your ingenuity set up your antenna and get on the air.
Bonus: (1)
 
  • Give a talk in person or online to your local amateur radio club on the subject of bunkers on the air
Or
 
  • Visit/Help/Promote UKBOTA Stand at a rally, show, exhibition or similar.

2026 Bunkerteer SWL Challenge

You need to log both sides of QSO

First Contact (New Recruits Only) (2)
 
  • Log 5 different bunker activations on HF
  • Log 5 different bunker activations on VHF

The Frequency Front: (7)

  • Log 5 UKBOTA bunker activations entirely on 80m
  • Log 5 UKBOTA bunker activations entirely on 40m
  • Log 5 UKBOTA bunker activations entirely on 20m
  • Log 5 UKBOTA bunker activations entirely on 15m
  • Log 5 UKBOTA bunker activations entirely on 10m
  • Log 5 UKBOTA bunker activations on 6m
  • Log 5 UKBOTA bunker activations entirely on 2m

Band Buster (2)

  • Full Spectrum – Log a single UKBOTA activation using a minimum of 3 bands (HF or VHF)
  • The Spread Eagle – Log a bunker activation working “Split” *RX on one Freq TX on another Freq during activation.
VHF & Up Challenge: (3)
  • Log a VHF bunker activation using no fewer than 2 bands VHF/UHF (multimode allowed – 4/6/2/70 and higher allowed)
  • Log 5 VHF bunker activations entirely on SSB
  • Log 5 VHF bunker activations entirely on FM
Silent Service: (1)

  • Log 5 UKBOTA bunker entirely on CW
Data Burst (4)
 
  • Log 5 UKBOTA Bunkers entirely on RTTY
  • Log 10 UKBOTA Bunkers using SSTV
  • Log a minimum of five bunker digital data QSOs on each of 3 different digital data modes excluding PSK Modes, FT modes, RTTY or SSTV
  • Log the same UKBOTA Bunker in both voice and digital data modes during the same activation on 5 Separate occasions.
Twin Strongholds (6)
 
  • Log 5 bunker to bunker QSO on CW
  • Log 5 bunker to bunker QSOs, each on a different day, on 80m
  • Log 5 bunker to bunker QSOs, each on a different day, on 40m
  • Log 5 bunker to bunker QSOs, each on a different day, on 20m
  • Log 5 bunker to bunker QSOs, each on a different day, on 15m
  • Log 5 bunker to bunker QSOs, each on a different day on 10m
The Outpost Missions (5)
 
  • Across the Pond – Log 20 different USA States worked by UKBOTA Bunker Activators (can be over multiple activations)
  • Club Tropicana – Log 5 different Caribbean countries worked by UKBOTA Bunker Activators
  • Island Hopper – Log UKBOTA bunkers activating from 5 different islands (UK and Crown Dependencies) (5 different IOTA)
  • Project DX  – Log 20 DXCC from the same activation (includes all UK DXCC and separate DXCC). Must include 2 DXCC outside Europe/UK.
  • Project DX II – Log 40 DXCC from the same activation (includes all UK DXCC as separate DXCC). Must include 3 DXCC outside Europe/UK.
Long Watch: (7)
  • First Watch – Log the same bunker activator 10 times
  • Second Watch – Log the same bunker activator 50 times
  • Third Watch – Log the same bunker activator 100 times
  • Final Watch – Log the same bunker activator 500 times
  • Weekly Watch – Log a bunker on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and a Sunday. Does not have to be the same bunker, or on consecutive days.
  • Operation Rapid Fire – Log 15 bunkers on a single day Multi-sites e.g. 2fer, 3fer etc. only count as a single site for this.
  • Continuous Signal – Log a bunker activation when activated repeatedly over a 12 month period 12 times – Once per month
Hidden Signal: (3)
  • Flying Solo – Spot an unspotted activation on the WWBOTA Cluster 5 times.
  • Operation Whisper – Log 5 UKBOTA bunkers where the activator is using 5W or less
  • MiliWatt Mission – QRPp Challenge – Log 5 UKBOTA bunkers where the activator is using 250 mW or less
Mission Multi-scheme: (3)
 
  • A Light in the Dark – Log 5 separate activations, each with at least one bunker and one lighthouse reference(s) in the same activation
  • A Walk in the Park – Log a UKBOTA bunker and a POTA park, simultaneously, on a minimum of 20 different days.
  • A Breath of Fresh Air – Log at least 5 separate activations, each with at least one bunker and one WWFF reference(s) in the same activation
Bunker Explorer UK: (6)
 
  • England – Log at least 500 different bunkers in England
  • Scotland – Log 150 different bunkers in Scotland
  • Northern Ireland – Log 18 different bunkers in Northern Ireland
  • Wales – Log 45 different bunkers in Wales
  • Isle of Man – Log 2 different bunkers on the Isle of Man
  • Channel Islands – Log 3 different bunkers on the Channel Islands
Multi-site activation: (3)
 
  • Double Strike – Work 10 2fer bunkers
  • Triple Threat – Work 5 3fer bunkers
  • Quad Assault – Work 5 4fer bunkers
Operation Chronos (5)
 
  • Grey Line Guard – Log 15 UKBOTA bunkers entirely with greyline QSO’s (+- 30 minutes of local sunrise or sunset)
  • Nightwatch – Log 20 UKBOTA Nightwatch bunkers (1900- 0400 UTC)
  • Dawnbuster – Log 20 UKBOTA Dawnbuster bunkers (0400 – 0900 UTC)
  • Sky Hunter – Log a UKBOTA bunker during a meteor shower or aurora alert (eg. Perseid Shower 17 Jul to 24 Aug, Quadrantids Shower 3rd – 4th Jan, Leonids Shower 14th – 21st Nov)
  • Blackout – Log a UKBOTA bunker during a solar or lunar eclipse (e.g. Solar 17 Feb 2026, 12 Aug 2026, Lunar 3 Mar 2026, 28 Aug 2026)

Heritage Trail: (7)

  • The Trifecta  – Log 3 bunkers on the same day, 1 each relating to the three services of the UKs Armed Forces. Activate 1 Coastal, 1 Airfield, 1 Pillbox
  • Command & Control – Log at least 3 bunker activations that include 1 x Local Government, 1 x Communications (BBC, Telecoms, maybe a ROTOR).
  • Public Protection – Log 20 x Air Raid Shelters
  • The Saint(s) – Log a bunker activation on the Patron Saints day of that bunker ( St. George’s Day – England, St. Andrews Day – Scotland, St. David’s Day – Wales,  St. Patrick’s Day – Northern Ireland

Operation Paper Trail (2)

  • Signal Scout  – Invite someone to hunt a bunker with you. Show them how to log contacts.
  • Signed & Sealed – Produce an electronic QSL card that includes both the UKBOTA and WWBOTA logos that is different for 5 bunkers you have successfully hunted. Use it to send SWL reports to Activators & Hunters
Field Engineer: (7)
 
  • The Homebrew Challenge – Use a homebrew receiver (can be a kit) to log 5 activations on any band – 5 points
  • Operation Last Resort – Random Object Antenna – Log a bunker on any band or using any mode of your choice using any object which has not been manufactured as an antenna! Think garden gate, shopping trolley or lightbulb! Be sure to post a picture!
  • Operation Improvise – Taking a receiver out portable (it can be in your own garden) hunt using a wire antenna only, you must not use your main station antenna, mast or poles.  Using your ingenuity, set up your antenna and get on the air.
Bonus: (1)
 
  • Give a talk in person or online to your local amateur radio club on the subject of bunkers on the air
Or
 
  • Visit/Help/Promote UKBOTA Stand at a rally, show, exhibition or similar.

FEBRUARY MONTHLY CHALLENGE

UKBOTA February Bunkerteer Challenge – “Six Nations B2B”
 
📅 1–28 February
 
⸻
 
Challenge Overview
 
It’s February and that means the start of the Six Nations Rugby tournament. 
This month’s challenge is based on B2B (Bunker-to-Bunker) contacts involving all six of the Rugby Six Nations countries:
•🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England (B/G-)
•🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland (B/GM-)
•🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales (B/GW-)
•🇮🇪 Ireland (B/EI-)
•🇫🇷 France (B/F-)
•🇮🇹 Italy (B/IT-)
 
📡 Activators
Whilst operating from a bunker work B2B:
* 5 countries = 1 point
* All 6 = 2 points
* ⁠Can be split across multiple activations. 
 
 
🎧 Hunters
You must hear an activator working B2B and work both sides of B2B contacts:
* 5 countries = 1 point
* All 6 = 2 points
 
 
👂 SWL
Log both sides of B2B contacts:
* 5 countries = 1 point
* All 6 = 2 points
 
Good luck!

BUNKERTEER MARCH CHALLENGE

Mad March Hare Decrees – Special Challenge Rules for March!

The Mad March Hare event kicks off on 1st March and runs throughout the month… and as always, our mischievous Hare has a few tricks up his sleeve.

Throughout March, the Hare will be issuing several secret decrees.
These are NOT part of the standard bonus points listed in the rules — they are completely separate, time‑limited challenges that are only valid during the dates shown on each decree.

⭐ Bunkerteer 2026 March Challenge Requirement

To qualify for the Bunkerteer Challenge monthly bonus, all Activators, Hunters, and SWLs must complete at least FOUR (4) of the Hare’s decrees during March.

Each decree will appear without warning, and will only count if completed within its stated timeframe. Keep your eyes peeled, your radios warm, and your sense of adventure switched firmly to ON.

Decrees will be announced on FB, General Chat and on the decree page at: MMH26decrees – UKBOTA

The Hare is watching… and he loves a bit of chaos.

Good luck, Bunkerteers — let the March mischief begin! 🐰📻✨

(C) UKBOTA 2026