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Parks on the Air (POTA) Legend in the Making: Les KI5GTR

Discussion in 'Amateur Radio News' started by W1DED, Jun 27, 2025.

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  1. W1DED

    W1DED Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page


    Les Chalfant KI5GTR is the kind of operator who reminds us what Parks on the Air is all about.

    From zero to full-throttle in just a few years, Les has activated all 286 parks in Arkansas, is closing in on 700 unique park activations overall, and still found time to earn a serious contest plaque from his home QTH—Rookie Overlay #1 in the U.S. for the 2024 CQ Worldwide SSB Contest. Whether he’s logging 200 contacts from a forest clearing or tracking propagation through a 48-hour contest, Les blends outdoor adventure with competitive drive in a way that feels entirely fresh—and completely at home in the POTA movement.

    He’s not just participating. He is the story. Les embodies the best of what Parks on the Air has come to represent: accessibility, energy, community, and a love for radio that’s contagious.

    Join the conversation in the comments and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio for more stories like this.
    Q5_017_KI5GTR_Thumb.jpg
     
    W1DED, Jun 27, 2025
    #1
    KE8QJV, AC7DD, K6YYL and 10 others like this.
  2. PJ2LS

    PJ2LS XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    Why POTA always TX on 14.347 and 14.343, every at 21:00 UTC there is a net working at 14.354
     
    PJ2LS, Jun 28, 2025
    #2
    N9UTJ likes this.
  3. KL7KN

    KL7KN Ham Member QRZ Page

    Odd.

    I see the 20M band is 14.000 MHz to 14.350 MHz.

    Are these US ARS folk?
     
    KL7KN, Jun 28, 2025
    #3
    K2EAG likes this.
  4. WY6K

    WY6K XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    It's perfect then, right?
     
    WY6K, Jun 28, 2025
    #4
    K2EAG likes this.
  5. AE8EM

    AE8EM Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    "21:00 UTC there is a net working at 14.354"
    14.350 is the upper limit here, not sure of your question?????
     
    AE8EM, Jun 30, 2025
    #5
    K2EAG and KI5GTR like this.
  6. M0TTQ

    M0TTQ Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    A net on 14345 is wasting the top two kHz of the band. Move up.
     
    M0TTQ, Jun 30, 2025
    #6
    K2EAG and KI5GTR like this.
  7. W6CSN

    W6CSN Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Les is a FB op! I always enjoy to get him in the log when I can.
     
    W6CSN, Jun 30, 2025
    #7
    KI5GTR, NA4A, AE8EM and 1 other person like this.
  8. KT4ZG

    KT4ZG Ham Member QRZ Page

    I've worked Les several times on Pota stuff. He seems like a great guy and always has a nice sounding station. I've got cards from him as KI5GTR and as VP5/KI5GTR as well. Keep up the good work and POTA on!
     
    KT4ZG, Jul 1, 2025
    #8
    KI5GTR, KE8CUG, N4LDB and 2 others like this.
  9. K7AMJ

    K7AMJ Ham Member QRZ Page

    Les is one of the best. I've had the privilege of being in a couple of my CW academy classes with him. He's a class act.
     
    K7AMJ, Jul 1, 2025
    #9
    KI5GTR, W1DED and NA4A like this.
  10. NA4A

    NA4A XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    Les is a great cw op.
    Always a pleasure to hunt or be hunted by him
     
    NA4A, Jul 1, 2025
    #10
    KI5GTR, W1DED, W6CSN and 1 other person like this.
  11. W6SFO

    W6SFO QRZ Lifetime Member #545 Platinum Subscriber Life Member QRZ Page

    Les is a cool cat. Always pleasant, efficient, and never forgets to QSL . :) Go get 'em , son!
     
    W6SFO, Jul 4, 2025
    #11
    KI5GTR likes this.
  12. AD5HQ

    AD5HQ XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    I've got Les in the logs for AR and KY cw. It's always fun to chase operators around the country.
     
    AD5HQ, Jul 4, 2025
    #12
    KI5GTR likes this.
  13. K5DGR

    K5DGR Ham Member QRZ Page

    Oh my... 85 times in the log so far. Before we good and well know it we hit the triple digits.
     

    Attached Files:

    K5DGR, Jul 8, 2025
    #13
    LW1EGW, KI5GTR and KT4ZG like this.
  14. KI5GTR

    KI5GTR Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Sweet!!.. Many more in the Future.
     
    KI5GTR, Jul 9, 2025
    #14
    K5DGR likes this.
  15. KI5GTR

    KI5GTR Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Tnx , always great to get ya in the log
     
    KI5GTR, Jul 9, 2025
    #15
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