Welcome – 2025 ~ our 31st year

Announcements

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: 13th May 2025

May 14, 2025

WA224R Blackbird - KA7GPP

May 14, 2025

Dan Pflugrath (WA)

Blackbird Island WA224R
May 14, 2025
Your Name:    Dan Pflugrath
Your Email:    KA7GPP@arrl.net
Your Call:    KA7GPP
Is this operation an:    Activation
Call sign for the operation:    KA7GPP
USI Number:    WA224R
Island Name:    Blackbird
Operation Start Date and Time (ZULU):    2025-5-14 17:00
Operation End Date and Time (ZULU):    2025-5-14 21:00
Bands:    80 through 10 meters
Modes:    SSB, CW
Power:    50
Additional information:    All QSOs uploaded to LOTW

May 23, 2025

CA008S San Clemente - WC6DX Wil

May 23, 2025 - May 26, 2025

Buddihex antenna, Yaesu FT-897 radio, 100 watts. Mainly SSB, some CW, no FT8. QRV 6m-20m.
Like San Nicolas, San Clemente is a Navy-controlled island. The only previous HF expedition I could find was by the team of N6FH, N6KZ, and WU6T in September 1997, twenty-seven years ago ! San Clemente is occasionally activated on VHF for the rare Grid Square of DM02; there is a club station on the island, but it only has a six meter antenna. [The airfield at the north of the island is in DM03 so the club is strategically located further south in the rarer grid.]

I expect some interest from the IOTA program hunters for reference NA-066 so watch for those spots. And since the hotel is 200 meters south of the 33 degree line, the Grid Loc is DM02rx and thus desired by USA VHF grid square chasers working on their FFMA (Fred Fish Memorial Award, https://www.arrl.org/ffma ). I intend to prioritize six meters *if* we have any band openings; there is no other land mass in Grid Square DM02 other than southern San Clemente island, so I must be considerate to them as well.

Paper QSL cards only, instructions on my QRZ.com page if interested. Hope to work those who want the island or the grid.

	May 2025
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1 FL007S St. George - K4D FL007S St. George - K4D Apr 26, 2025 - May 5, 2025 Your Name: Bruce Brady Your Email: k5ten@aol.com Your Call: K5TEN Is this operation a:: Activation Call sign for the operation: K4D USI Number: FL007S Island Name: St. George Operation Start Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-4-26 00:00 Operation End Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-5-5 00:00 Bands: 40 through 6 meters Modes: SSB, CW Power: 100 Additional information: QSL direct to K5TEN, USA stations SASE required. DX $1 and SAE required. Special QSL cards to be printed after the event. Operation holiday style. Contact k5ten@aol.com for skeds. •	2 FL007S St. George - K4D FL007S St. George - K4D Apr 26, 2025 - May 5, 2025 Your Name: Bruce Brady Your Email: k5ten@aol.com Your Call: K5TEN Is this operation a:: Activation Call sign for the operation: K4D USI Number: FL007S Island Name: St. George Operation Start Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-4-26 00:00 Operation End Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-5-5 00:00 Bands: 40 through 6 meters Modes: SSB, CW Power: 100 Additional information: QSL direct to K5TEN, USA stations SASE required. DX $1 and SAE required. Special QSL cards to be printed after the event. Operation holiday style. Contact k5ten@aol.com for skeds. •	3 FL007S St. George - K4D FL007S St. George - K4D Apr 26, 2025 - May 5, 2025 Your Name: Bruce Brady Your Email: k5ten@aol.com Your Call: K5TEN Is this operation a:: Activation Call sign for the operation: K4D USI Number: FL007S Island Name: St. George Operation Start Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-4-26 00:00 Operation End Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-5-5 00:00 Bands: 40 through 6 meters Modes: SSB, CW Power: 100 Additional information: QSL direct to K5TEN, USA stations SASE required. DX $1 and SAE required. Special QSL cards to be printed after the event. Operation holiday style. Contact k5ten@aol.com for skeds. •
4 FL007S St. George - K4D FL007S St. George - K4D Apr 26, 2025 - May 5, 2025 Your Name: Bruce Brady Your Email: k5ten@aol.com Your Call: K5TEN Is this operation a:: Activation Call sign for the operation: K4D USI Number: FL007S Island Name: St. George Operation Start Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-4-26 00:00 Operation End Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-5-5 00:00 Bands: 40 through 6 meters Modes: SSB, CW Power: 100 Additional information: QSL direct to K5TEN, USA stations SASE required. DX $1 and SAE required. Special QSL cards to be printed after the event. Operation holiday style. Contact k5ten@aol.com for skeds. •	5 FL007S St. George - K4D FL007S St. George - K4D Apr 26, 2025 - May 5, 2025 Your Name: Bruce Brady Your Email: k5ten@aol.com Your Call: K5TEN Is this operation a:: Activation Call sign for the operation: K4D USI Number: FL007S Island Name: St. George Operation Start Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-4-26 00:00 Operation End Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-5-5 00:00 Bands: 40 through 6 meters Modes: SSB, CW Power: 100 Additional information: QSL direct to K5TEN, USA stations SASE required. DX $1 and SAE required. Special QSL cards to be printed after the event. Operation holiday style. Contact k5ten@aol.com for skeds. •	6	7	8	9	10 NY035R Ellicott - W2PE NY035R Ellicott - W2PE May 10, 2025 1. Radio Association of Western New York (RAWNY) c/o Matt Brown k2eag@arrl.net 2. Saturday, May 10 (1DG) 3. 1300-2000 UTC 4. Ellicott Island NY035R 5. W2PE 6. 40-10M 7. SSB and CW 8. 20-100W 9. POTA US-6532 Erie Canalway One-Day-Getaway (1DG) One-Day-Getaway (1DG) May 10, 2025 0000 UTC through 2359 UTC (Friday evening to Saturday evening in the continental US). 1DG is an on-air activity, not a contest: no scores are tallied and no prizes are awarded. Participation from all radio amateurs, regardless of experience level, is encouraged. • •
11	12	13	14 WA224R Blackbird - KA7GPP WA224R Blackbird - KA7GPP May 14, 2025 Dan Pflugrath (WA) Blackbird Island WA224R May 14, 2025 Your Name: Dan Pflugrath Your Email: KA7GPP@arrl.net Your Call: KA7GPP Is this operation an: Activation Call sign for the operation: KA7GPP USI Number: WA224R Island Name: Blackbird Operation Start Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-5-14 17:00 Operation End Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-5-14 21:00 Bands: 80 through 10 meters Modes: SSB, CW Power: 50 Additional information: All QSOs uploaded to LOTW •	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23 CA008S San Clemente - WC6DX Wil CA008S San Clemente - WC6DX Wil May 23, 2025 - May 26, 2025 Buddihex antenna, Yaesu FT-897 radio, 100 watts. Mainly SSB, some CW, no FT8. QRV 6m-20m. Like San Nicolas, San Clemente is a Navy-controlled island. The only previous HF expedition I could find was by the team of N6FH, N6KZ, and WU6T in September 1997, twenty-seven years ago ! San Clemente is occasionally activated on VHF for the rare Grid Square of DM02; there is a club station on the island, but it only has a six meter antenna. [The airfield at the north of the island is in DM03 so the club is strategically located further south in the rarer grid.] I expect some interest from the IOTA program hunters for reference NA-066 so watch for those spots. And since the hotel is 200 meters south of the 33 degree line, the Grid Loc is DM02rx and thus desired by USA VHF grid square chasers working on their FFMA (Fred Fish Memorial Award, https://www.arrl.org/ffma ). I intend to prioritize six meters if we have any band openings; there is no other land mass in Grid Square DM02 other than southern San Clemente island, so I must be considerate to them as well. Paper QSL cards only, instructions on my QRZ.com page if interested. Hope to work those who want the island or the grid. •	24 CA008S San Clemente - WC6DX Wil CA008S San Clemente - WC6DX Wil May 23, 2025 - May 26, 2025 Buddihex antenna, Yaesu FT-897 radio, 100 watts. Mainly SSB, some CW, no FT8. QRV 6m-20m. Like San Nicolas, San Clemente is a Navy-controlled island. The only previous HF expedition I could find was by the team of N6FH, N6KZ, and WU6T in September 1997, twenty-seven years ago ! San Clemente is occasionally activated on VHF for the rare Grid Square of DM02; there is a club station on the island, but it only has a six meter antenna. [The airfield at the north of the island is in DM03 so the club is strategically located further south in the rarer grid.] I expect some interest from the IOTA program hunters for reference NA-066 so watch for those spots. And since the hotel is 200 meters south of the 33 degree line, the Grid Loc is DM02rx and thus desired by USA VHF grid square chasers working on their FFMA (Fred Fish Memorial Award, https://www.arrl.org/ffma ). I intend to prioritize six meters if we have any band openings; there is no other land mass in Grid Square DM02 other than southern San Clemente island, so I must be considerate to them as well. Paper QSL cards only, instructions on my QRZ.com page if interested. Hope to work those who want the island or the grid. WA224R Blackbird - KA7GPP WA224R Blackbird - KA7GPP May 24, 2025 Your Name: Dan Pflugrath Your Email: KA7GPP@arrl.net Your Call: KA7GPP Is this operation an: Activation Call sign for the operation: KA7GPP USI Number: WA224R Island Name: Blackbird Operation Start Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-5-14 17:00 Operation End Date and Time (ZULU): 2025-5-14 21:00 Bands: 80 through 10 meters Modes: SSB, CW Power: 50 Additional information: All QSOs uploaded to LOTW • •
25 CA008S San Clemente - WC6DX Wil CA008S San Clemente - WC6DX Wil May 23, 2025 - May 26, 2025 Buddihex antenna, Yaesu FT-897 radio, 100 watts. Mainly SSB, some CW, no FT8. QRV 6m-20m. Like San Nicolas, San Clemente is a Navy-controlled island. The only previous HF expedition I could find was by the team of N6FH, N6KZ, and WU6T in September 1997, twenty-seven years ago ! San Clemente is occasionally activated on VHF for the rare Grid Square of DM02; there is a club station on the island, but it only has a six meter antenna. [The airfield at the north of the island is in DM03 so the club is strategically located further south in the rarer grid.] I expect some interest from the IOTA program hunters for reference NA-066 so watch for those spots. And since the hotel is 200 meters south of the 33 degree line, the Grid Loc is DM02rx and thus desired by USA VHF grid square chasers working on their FFMA (Fred Fish Memorial Award, https://www.arrl.org/ffma ). I intend to prioritize six meters if we have any band openings; there is no other land mass in Grid Square DM02 other than southern San Clemente island, so I must be considerate to them as well. Paper QSL cards only, instructions on my QRZ.com page if interested. Hope to work those who want the island or the grid. PR012S Isla de Cabras - KP4NCF PR012S Isla de Cabras - KP4NCF May 25, 2025 MEGA POTA, PR-0035 more details TBD • •	26 CA008S San Clemente - WC6DX Wil CA008S San Clemente - WC6DX Wil May 23, 2025 - May 26, 2025 Buddihex antenna, Yaesu FT-897 radio, 100 watts. Mainly SSB, some CW, no FT8. QRV 6m-20m. Like San Nicolas, San Clemente is a Navy-controlled island. The only previous HF expedition I could find was by the team of N6FH, N6KZ, and WU6T in September 1997, twenty-seven years ago ! San Clemente is occasionally activated on VHF for the rare Grid Square of DM02; there is a club station on the island, but it only has a six meter antenna. [The airfield at the north of the island is in DM03 so the club is strategically located further south in the rarer grid.] I expect some interest from the IOTA program hunters for reference NA-066 so watch for those spots. And since the hotel is 200 meters south of the 33 degree line, the Grid Loc is DM02rx and thus desired by USA VHF grid square chasers working on their FFMA (Fred Fish Memorial Award, https://www.arrl.org/ffma ). I intend to prioritize six meters if we have any band openings; there is no other land mass in Grid Square DM02 other than southern San Clemente island, so I must be considerate to them as well. Paper QSL cards only, instructions on my QRZ.com page if interested. Hope to work those who want the island or the grid. •	27	28	29	30	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 11/2/2024, Allen, WB4YTG activated POTA US-10097 Queen Bess Island Wildlife Refuge, thereby qualifying Queen Bess, LA113S.

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.

Page Last Updated on Apr 25, 2025 @ 22:15 utc by ADMIN