Objectives

Below is the list of the upcoming and/or completed W5LVC POTA activation dates, locations, status and blog:

July - COMPLETED

7/26

Ray Roberts Lake SP

It was a warm morning and we had several people show up at the park for the activation. W5LVC operated all modes, CW, SSB and FT8, logging over 50 QSOs. Thank you Rick, Greg, Rhonda, Sandra, Tom, Michael, Brandon, Josh, Gege, Clark, Colin and others that showed up for the effort!

August - COMPLETED

8/23

Dinosaur Valley SP

Thank you Greg, Michael, Rhonda, Sandra and Colin for showing up and participating in another successful LARA POTA activation!

This time we activated from a nice meadow in the park, in the "Amphitheatre" area, which was empty despite the fact the park being heavily visited! We were able to activate CW and SSB and got 40 QSOs in the log, of those 16 were Park-to-Park contacts! After the activation the crew had a great late-lunch at the nearby Loco Coyote restaurant, where one burger could feed about three...

September - COMPLETED

9/20

Lake Tawakoni SP

Perfect day for a POTA activation. Not too crazy hot, not too cold, just great, mild weather!

We found a nice tree-covered area right at the shoreside just N of the park's boat ramp. Two stations were set up, one for SSB and one for CW.

Thank you Michael, Richard and Colin for joining and activating the park.

Despite many stations operating the Texas QSO Party at the same time, we were able to call and work the stations interested in POTA and POTA P2P.

In all we made close to 50 QSOs, covering 2 bands (17m and 20m) and 2 modes (SSB and CW).

After the activation it was time for decompression, beverages and a burger at Wills Point, just south of the park. We might have indulged in some ice-cream as well...

We are all already looking toward the next activation!

9/21

Lake Ray Roberts SP

We added an impromptu activation to the September schedule on Sunday 9/21.

Michael and Colin went to Ray Roberts and activated our local water-hole park. It was a lot of fun. Activated on 6 bands and 3 modes (CW, SSB, FM) on 2m, 12m, 20m, 30m, 40m and 80m!

This means that W5LVC has activated US-3051 now on a total of 8 bands!

55 QSO's in the log! Great fun!

October - COMPLETED

10/11

Cedar Hill SP

84F is just the perfect temperature for a park activation in the fall, specially with clear skies and a light breeze.

This time at Cedar Hill we went to the far end of the Day Picnic Area and set up the FT-710 and a coiled vertical for CW and SSB operations on 20m.

Propagation was good and the band was popping with activity at around 15Z when we started. Got 33 QSOs in the log and had a fantastic time, with plenty of P2P Qs.

Thank you Michael KI5AE and Colin N5GG for another successful activation.

A reminder that the next one is going to be an overnighter! See you all there. 

November - COMPLETED

11/15 and 11/16 - overnight

Lake Arrowhead SP

We knew already from last year's overnighter that Lake Arrowhead is a great park, not too crowded, relatively close to DFW and the campsites are neat and near to the lake shore.

We had just the perfect weather, highs in the upper 80's during the day and lower 50's at night.

All participants ended up getting campsites around the same area, sites 19-24, which meant we all had great interaction from Friday afternoon until departure around Sunday noon. People slept in RV's, campers, cars and tents. Was just awesome!

We also had extra visitors... I'm talking about the red wasps which were swarming, specially in the late afternoon just before sundown... But as long as you let them in peace, there was little harm...

Food was (as always) great! Thank you Debbie, Rhonda, Sandra, Tiffany, Kerry and Jen for organizing it all, and also a big thank you to the master chefs: Greg, Tom, Rick, Jim and crew!!!

As far as the activation goes, here are some stats:

Operators: Rick WQ5H, Richard N5DTF, Tom KI5ECE, Jim K5VZ, Greg NE5GT and Colin N5GG

Modes: all modes - SSB, FT8, FM, CW

Bands: 6 bands - 40m, 30m, 20m, 15m, 2m and UHF 70cm!

QSO's: Over 200 Qs in the log! Well done all around.

Activations: 3 valid activations - Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Some memorable moments:

W5LVC (Greg NE5GT) worked Steve W5JK on FT8 on Friday afternoon.

W5LVC (Richard N5DTF) had VHF and UHF contacts using FM P2P with another activator at the other side of the park. I believe it's our first UHF P2P QSO! Well done Richard.

W5LVC (Colin N5GG) worked Hawaii P2P on 20m CW @5W QRP.

The overnighter is in the books, but...

We have one more activation in 2025, already looking forward to seeing you there!

December - COMPLETED

12/6

Spring Creek FSP

Yes, it's December, and it can get damp and cold... And so it was... (Thank you Michael for bringing the hand warmers - very much appreciated!)

But that little weather detail did not take away the fun from the intrepid crew that joined us for the Spring Creek Forrest State Preserve activation.

A total of 3 stations were set up and we rotated operators.

Rick WQ5H operated 40m/20m SSB from the truck (warm and cozy idea)

Michael KI5AE operated 20m SSB below a nice tree.

Marco NN5MB operated 15m SSB. This was a special day, since it marked Marco's very first activation! Thank you and welcome to the crew!

Colin operated 20m CW and had a blast as always.

A special treat was the visit from fellow POTA activator KJ5DGS Amado. He often activates US-4423 since he lives close-by and came to chat with us. Thank you for the visit Amado!

We ended up with over 70 QSOs in the log! Very fine business to cap off the LARA 2025 POTA season!

Stay tuned, the 2026 LARA POTA calendar will be published soon!

Thank you very much all operators who participated this year in POTA activities. It can NOT be done without YOU! 73 and Happy Holidays

Colin - N5GG

POTA Coordinator

Below is the 1H 2026 list of the upcoming/completed W5LVC POTA activation dates, locations, status and blogs:

January - N/A

1/24 - 1/25

NO POTA activation - Winter Field Day instead!

February - TBD

2/xx

XYZ State Park

stay tuned

March - TBD

3/xx

XYZ State Park

stay tuned

April - TBD

4/xx

XYZ State Park

stay tuned

May - TBD

5/xx

XYZ State Park

stay tuned

June - N/A

6/27 - 6/28

NO POTA activation - Summer Field Day instead!

Colin - N5GG

POTA Coordinator