On Saturday, October 20, 2012, PVR and Viroqua ham radio operators activated and qualified Coumbe Island in the Wisconsin River near Blue River to be added to the U.S. ISLANDS list. Coumbe Island now has the U.S. Islands qualification number WI049R.

PVR members who served as operators during the qualifying of Coumbe Island were: Les Hyland, KA9USV; Chris Kanable, KC9CMD; Bob Naegele, W9MZ; Mike Houle, KC9WAN; and Dick Neumann, W9JR. From the Viroqua ARC were: Ralph Hendrickson, KC9LBO; Tahmara Hendrickson, KC9UJM; and Chris Palm, KC9JTL. Operations began at 0900 and the requirements of making 25 contacts plus contacts with 2 countries were met by 1500. It was a very rewarding and fun ham radio activity. It must be noted that Tahmara is a 9-year old ham operator who made 3 PSK31 contacts.

This is the island in the Wisconsin River that we qualified for the U.S. Islands Program

Our Coumbe Island QSL card after the qualification

This group had a great time qualifying Coumbe Island

Bob and Chris Palm setting up an antenna for PSK31

Mike made 3 contacts in Germany on 12 meters

Les used the hood of his truck as a station

Ralph and his daughter, Tahmara getting things ready

Ralph oversees Tahmara making a SSB contact

Chris Palm is trying his luck at making a PSK31 contact

Chris and Tahmara working PSK31 inside our Communications Trailer

Tahmara is a 9-year old ham operator who gained much experience this day

This was a necessary piece of equipment on Coumbe Island

Monthly Archives: October 2012

Coumbe Island Activation