🦅 Greetings, POTA People!
Another week, another flurry of radios in the cold, boots on the trail, batteries pushed to their limits, and logs filled with stories worth telling. From milestone achievements and first-ever activations to epic roves, forgotten cables, and globe-spanning Park-to-Park QSOs, the POTA community has been busy — and the Nosey News Hawk has been watching it all unfold.
🏆 AD0WN Activates All of Missouri
This is a big one. Ed AD0WN, operating alongside his wife Nancy, has officially completed Activated All Missouri, a feat that places him in extremely rare company. The final missing park was Patrick Bridge Access (US-12975), activated after a long push that covered a lot of miles. With that activation, all 556 Missouri POTA parks are now in Ed’s log. Word on the trail is that only one other operator has ever accomplished this. Ed isn’t on Facebook, so if you know him personally, reach out and congratulate him — this is a lifetime POTA achievement.
🎉 Alan N3ALN Makes His First POTA Activation
A warm welcome to Alan N3ALN, who logged his very first POTA activation at Puxtpin River State Park (US-1589). Alan jumped in with both feet, running a solid station and logging 44 QSOs. Like many first-time activators, he walked away with lessons learned, confidence gained, and that familiar itch to get back out there again. Judging by his enthusiasm, this won’t be his last park.
🚲 Cary K5DZR Earns a Kilo — Powered Entirely by eBike
Leave it to Cary K5DZR to blur the line between endurance sport and radio art. Cary has completed a full POTA Kilousing only eBike-supported activations — no small logistical feat. A standout activation took place at Gulf State Park (US-1042), where Cary not only logged the QSOs but refined his mobile setup, mounting his station to the bike rack and operating efficiently from picnic tables. He also credits Anne KE5ABC for her support (and pedal power). This is POTA creativity at its finest.
⏳ Damien K4BOS Closing in on His Kilo
Momentum is building for Damien K4BOS, who continues stacking activations toward his Kilo. His recent outing at US-3691 added a strong batch of contacts despite less-than-ideal band conditions. Damien’s approach has been methodical and persistent — exactly the recipe that usually ends with a celebratory Kilo post before long.
🌲 Greg WD8KLL Scores a First Activation
Michigan activator Greg WD8KLL logged his first POTA activation at Holly Recreation Area (US-3313) under very challenging weather conditions. High winds made setup tricky, but perseverance paid off. Greg was quick to thank fellow operators KF8BGX and N8ROZ for assistance and encouragement — a reminder that even solo activations are rarely done alone.
📈 HI5ATA Continues the Kilo March
From the Dominican Republic, HI5ATA continues a steady climb toward a POTA Kilo, most recently activating DO-0024. International activations always add extra spice to the program, and it’s great to see long-term goals being worked methodically outside the continental U.S.
🇷🇴 YO3DYL and YO3BEE Pull Off a 7-Fer in Romania
Talk about teamwork: husband-and-wife team YO3DYL and YO3BEE successfully activated seven parks in a single outing in Romania — a true 7-fer. Operating in cold winter conditions, they reported solid contacts and smooth operations. It’s a great example of how POTA thrives well beyond North America.
👩🎤 International Women’s Day YL POTA Party
Looking ahead: March 8 will feature the International Women’s Day YL POTA Party, a worldwide celebration of women in amateur radio. YLs are encouraged to activate parks or hunt from home, share stories, and connect with one another across bands and modes. While not an official POTA Foundation event, it’s a grassroots celebration of community, visibility, and fun. Pink gear and festive stations are encouraged!
😬 K7WFM and the Case of the Missing Cable
A cautionary tale we’ve all lived: K7WFM made it to Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest (US-4530), had great conditions, perfect SWR… and then discovered a critical cable was missing. Activation aborted, lesson learned. The moral? Checklists save activations — and possibly domestic harmony.
✈️⚓ KC3ZZI and N4ABJ Achieve Rare Mobile QSOs
During a recent activation, KC3ZZI and Elmer N4ABJ managed to log both aeronautical mobile and maritime mobilecontacts — a rare double that doesn’t happen every day. For POTA operators who enjoy collecting unusual QSOs, this one checks two very special boxes.
🏁 Kevin KE0KUL Completes His First Activation
Another first-timer joins the ranks: Kevin KE0KUL successfully activated Reifsnider State Forest (US-4840), logging 132 QSOs and reaching three countries in the process. Log submitted, confidence boosted, and a strong foundation laid for future activations.
🏆 KI5OLV Earns the N1CC Award
The N1CC award isn’t handed out lightly, and KI5OLV earned it through determination and careful planning during an activation at US-6574. This is one of those awards that quietly signals serious operating skill.
🌅 Matt KJ7AFY Starts 2026 with a First Activation
Matt KJ7AFY kicked off the new year exactly the right way — with a fresh POTA activation. Nothing like setting the tone for the year early and getting the logbook warmed up.
🇺🇸 Matt N2EAG and Angela N3ARB Operate as W1AW/2
Operating under the W1AW/2 callsign, Matt N2EAG and Angela N3ARB activated High Hills in Washington, focusing on VHF and logging solid results on 2 meters. It’s a nice reminder that POTA isn’t just about HF — creativity and experimentation are always welcome.
🔗 New Resource: PotaLink.com
Resource hounds should take note: Ed KD3ACB has launched potalink.com, a curated directory of POTA-related tools, references, and useful links. A handy bookmark for both new and seasoned operators.
🐴 Pack Mule Logs Are Rolling In
The PN&R Pack Mule Award officially launched on January 1, 2026, and the first logs are already arriving. Ed W4EMB currently leads with three qualifying activations. Reminder: the Pack Mule requires 100 hiking activations, each involving at least a one-mile hike and 22 QSOs. It’s a long haul — but that’s the point.
🎯 Patty W5AZO Reaches 500 Dominators
Huge congratulations to Patty W5AZO, who has crossed the 500 Dominator mark after a multi-band effort. That’s a staggering amount of dedication and consistency — truly elite territory.
🏝️ W5GI Active from VP2V
According to Peter Krah, W5GI is currently active from VP2V (VG-0021) through January 20. Hunters looking for Caribbean QSOs should keep an ear out.
🚐 Reed W1TF on an Epic Multi-State Rove
Reed W1TF is in the midst of a 30+ day RV rove across the United States, activating parks as he goes and covering serious ground. Expect plenty of QSOs, stories, and tire rotations before this one wraps up.
🔑 Terry W8TMB Completes His First CW-Only Activation
After years of preparation, Terry W8TMB completed his first CW-only POTA activation, operating QRP with a simple setup. It’s a milestone many operators work toward quietly — and a reminder that CW remains deeply rewarding.
🌍 5,100-Mile Park-to-Park: K1TH and WC1N
We close with a jaw-dropper: Tom K1TH and Bob WC1N completed a 5,100-mile Park-to-Park contact, spanning the mainland U.S. to Mount Haleakala. That’s not just a great QSO — it’s a reminder of how astonishing amateur radio still is.
🦅 Nosey News Hawk Takeaway:
From forgotten cables to record-setting activations, winter POTA is alive and kicking. Layer up, double-check the go-bag, call CQ… and POTA on! Don’t forget to send your tips, news stories, and calendar items to tips@pota.news.
