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.