US Islands Awards Program

  • K5M activation of LA010S Marsh, October 2024. ~ Photo by K0AP
  • N3ARB Angela helping to qualify OH076L Walker's, May 2024.
  • VA084R Embrey Dam Silt ~ K3USI Op. NS4J May 2024
  • Terry, W4YBV on FL483S Venice.
  • NF4GA on GA028L for the 2019 W/VE Island QSO Party.
  • N2PYH qualifying NY084L Glosky - June 11, 2022 Photo by N2PYH
  • Team KK1TLS, Terry FL017S Honeymoon Island, Sept. 2018.
  • N9BWT (Blue shirt) & N9DPR activating KY030R Six Mile, September 2024
  • KO4KHB qualifying AL056L
  • FL492S Big Grassy (Pepperfish Keys), Gulf of Mexico, Dixie Co. - Photo by W4YBV
  • W1SYE crew ready to qualify Yarmouth Island ME121 Sept, 2019
  • Swan, MD062S POTA K-0333 Qualified 2020-10-03 W3RRM
  • WI074L White Birch - Photo by KD9QKL
  • Dennis N2DJS operating Rover call W2PE on NY054L Whaley for the 2023 Island QSO Party.
  • Eric NP3A operating KP4RK from POTA PR-0019, USI PR006S Puerto Rico.
  • POTA activation of K-3062 Antelope Island State Park, UT001L, Feb. 2024 Photo by KI7KY
  • KY4BX activating GA002S Cumberland ~ Photo by KY4BX
  • USI qualification of MD009S South Marsh. POTA K-7750 South Marsh WMA. Photo by - KC3OWM

Welcome – 2025 ~ our 31st year

Announcements

Help us stay afloat donate to: GOFUNDME for USI

New version of POTA-2-USI cross reference (2025-04-08) now includes WWFF. See downloads.

2024 US Island QSO Party Results HERE

Program Rules Updated HERE

USI flag and stickers are available. B/W single sided flags are $30 ea. Stickers are 2 – $5, 5 – $10, 10 – $19. including S/H.

Upcoming USI Expeditions:
Today is: 30th July 2025

Jul 30, 2025

  • MN139, MN140, MN142

    Jul 30, 2025

    AB0O on SSB, K0LW and W7GLR on FT8
    1700z to 2000z
    West Reipas MN139
    East Reipas MN140
    East Prune MN142
    Bands 20, 30
    Modes SSB, FT8
    Power 20w
    No cell, no spotting...will try to spot before leaving dock, but frequency unknown...will try to be close to 14.250

Aug 3, 2025

  • MI001L Isle Royale - KD9OBF/QRP

    Aug 3, 2025 - Aug 9, 2025  

    40, 20, and 15 SSB    Hiking the length of the island. Using a FX-4CR at 10 to 20 watts. Depending on how long the batteries last, I’ll try to activate every day afternoon or evening. No internet so please spot.

July 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
3
4
5
  • ME146 Holbrook - KM1MT
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
  • LA006S - KI5UTS
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
  • CT040L Minnie - POTA US-1698
21
  • WI001 Hermit & WI004 Outer - KO4YPG
22
  • WI001 Hermit & WI004 Outer - KO4YPG
  • MN134L Myre-Big - KF0HLC
23
  • WI001 Hermit & WI004 Outer - KO4YPG
  • MN134L Myre-Big - KF0HLC
24
  • WI001 Hermit & WI004 Outer - KO4YPG
  • MN134L Myre-Big - KF0HLC
  • VA014R Paynes - NS4J
25
26
  • MA005S Martha’s Vineyard - K1VSJ
  • ME022S Bailey - N4CW
  • NC002S Harkers - K4OV
  • NC010S Bogue Banks - K4TMC
  • NC033S Core Banks - N4C (W4KAZ)
  • RI006S Aquidneck (Rhode) - AA1AC
  • VA001S Tangier - K4T
27
  • ME022S Bailey - N4CW
  • NC002S Harkers - K4OV
  • NC010S Bogue Banks - K4TMC
  • NC033S Core Banks - N4C (W4KAZ)
  • RI006S Aquidneck (Rhode) - AA1AC
  • VA001S Tangier - K4T
28
29
30
  • MN139, MN140, MN142
31

Welcome to the U.S. Islands Awards Program (USI) website. USI is an amateur radio award program centered around chasing and activating river, lake, and ocean shore islands within the 50 United States and its Territories and Protectorates.

Numerous achievement awards are available for both island activators and island chasers.

U.S. Islands is a great way to go on a mini-DXpedition without spending a lot of money. Discovering islands in your own backyard and setting up a station outdoors is always a good time. If hams have only operated outdoors during Field Day, we offer another route to get outside and enjoy portable ham radio in a different way.

USI has two operating activities each year:

  • One-Day-Getaway (1DG) is just that, a casual day of island portable operations the second Saturday of May. Activating or qualifying a new island, 1DG is a perfect way to hone your on the air operating skills and perfect your portable or mobile “field day kit”.
  • U.S. Islands QSO Party is our once-a-year “contest” that has a class for just about any individual or group. Operate from a friend’s island “Fixed” QTH, take your club on a single island “Expedition”, or go on a mobile or waterborne “Rover” adventure. The last full weekend of August.

Any way you like it, portable, walk-on, paddle to, motor to, mobile, drive on, USI is a year-round ham radio fun.

Please consider joining the USI Facebook group.

 Webmaster’s Photo Pick

On June 22-23, 2025, Gerry KM1MT and Robin KA1YJR sailed to and qualified ME143S McGlathery. They spend the summer sailing the Maine coast. This was their third of many US Island operations.

We are not affiliated in any way with the Islands On The Air (IOTA) awards program offered by the Islands on the Air (IOTA) Ltd.

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Page Last Updated on Jun 24, 2025 @ 11:14 utc by ADMIN