It’s with a heavy heart that I share news of a tragic accident that took the life of fellow ham radio operator and POTA enthusiast, Tripp Owens (N4NTO).
According to CBS 17 and WRAL, Tripp died after being electrocuted at a cemetery in Harnett County, North Carolina–most likely at Averasboro Battlefield Historic Site (US-11375).
Reports indicate that his vertical antenna came into contact with overhead power lines. News of the incident was shared within the community by Dave (W4JL), via a message passed along by Perry (N5JP).
It appears the incident may not have occurred during setup, but rather while taking the antenna down, as Dave noted that Tripp had signaled he was QRT on the POTA spots page. Based on Reverse Beacon Network activity, Tripp was on the air at least between 12:02 and 12:13 UTC yesterday morning.
This is heartbreaking news for those of us in the Parks on the Air and WWFF communities. Tripp was a well-known and well-loved North Carolina POTA operator—a dedicated hunter and activator whose callsign appears in my logs many times over the years.
He’ll be deeply missed.
Prioritizing Safety
You’ve probably heard me mention this in past activation videos and field reports: scanning for power lines should become second nature—just like looking for trees to hang antennas. This tragedy is a powerful reminder of why that habit matters.
When public parks and recreation areas were designed, they were never meant for conductive vertical antennas or wire antennas strung through trees. Power lines across park properties follow their own logic—typically routed for infrastructure needs like lighting, water facilities, or visitor centers. Our antennas and setups are the unknown factor in those environments.
This is why you should always carefully survey your surroundings before setting up:
Before You Deploy an Antenna:
- Scan the area for power lines.
- Trace their path—power lines often lead to buildings, pavilions, or utility poles deeper in the park.
- Think beyond your setup moment. Could a gust of wind, a falling limb, or an unstable mast cause your antenna to swing or fall into a live wire?
- Never assume a wire is insulated or safe. Even low-hanging lines can be deadly.
In some parks, overhead lines are surprisingly well hidden in the canopy or not immediately visible from popular operating areas. Take your time. Walk your operating site. Think it through before deploying a mast or tossing a wire into a tree.
Honoring Tripp
Tripp (N4NTO) was not just another callsign—he was an enthusiastic and passionate member of our wonderful field radio community. He supported so many of us, and his presence will be sorely missed on the airwaves and in the community.
Our hearts go out to Tripp’s family during this incredibly difficult time. May they feel the deep appreciation and love this community had for him.
Let’s honor Tripp by taking antenna safety seriously and helping others do the same. Share reminders. Watch out for one another. Stay mindful in the field.
This tragedy is a sobering reminder of the real risks we face—even while doing an outdoor activity that brings us so much joy. Let it be the reason we double-check, slow down, and adapt how we play radio in the field.
Stay safe, friends.
72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
How sad. I didn’t know Tripp personally, but immediately recognized his call sign from many contacts over the years. I definitely will do as you say and honor him by paying more careful attention to possibility of wires when putting up my antennas and will keep this in mind when working with others. Hopefully, this kind of a stark reminder will make us all safer in the future. If you’re in touch with his family, please pass along my sincerest condolences from member of his broader, long-distance family. 73 Skip K4EAK
Well said Thomas. Tripp was a wonderful member of the POTA community. I too have worked him many times both as an activator and a hunter. He will certainly be missed.
It happened to an employee of mine Graham Chinn, he was an avid CBer , his DX antenna was fitted on the top of his car , it was dark but happened when he was packing up, 40 years ago now. Taught me a lifelong lesson, very shocking
Thomas, yes, very tragic. Thanks for the great information and caution in your write-up. I’ve been sloppy too many times.
Yes, be careful always with antenna set up, and masts/poles.
I didn’t know Tripp personally but we were both members of PVRC and had worked him on CW
as he was an active POTA activator. He was activating a POTA Civil War Battlefield east of Raleigh.
No one is really sure what happened, as he was by himself, but somehow a push up pole or antenna mast
came in contact with overhead electrical lines.
It reminds me to be really careful and always do a site survey.
Prayers to his family and friends.
73 de K4RLC Bobby
https://www.wral.com/news/local/man-dies-electrocution-chicora-cemetery-dunn-july-2025/
Thank you for sharing the WRAL piece, Bob. It also underscores just how niche park activating is—none of the officials or investigators seemed to understand why Tripp would have been at the cemetery with a radio antenna. Outside of the amateur radio world, POTA is still largely unknown.
The call SOGN N4NTO appears in my log a few times. I believe the first time I worked him was in 2022. This is tragic. One time when I was with a friend setting up for a route 66 on the air portable operation he pulled his pick up up to the point he wanted to work from. Since he chose the site from his truck, he did not notice the powerlines above until he started to put up the antenna. He started to raise the mask and looked up in there the powerlines were. They were very tall powerlines and there was no chance for them to touch the mask, but it Hook him up a little bit and he promptly moved the site. If you like operating from a vehicle and have selected a spot from that and are setting up a antenna, you should really take a look around after you’re out of the vehicle to see things that might have been obscured by your position in the car or truck.
73 Perry N5PJ
Tragic, and a grim reminder for us all. Thanks for the article, Thomas.
Sad news, I wish his family well during this tragic time. de AI5DD Joe
Lord, what kind of vertical was he putting up?
That’s a shame. Hmm.
One of the reports stated the vertical was approximately 20 feet long, so it was actually on the shorter side if this was a mast.
So sad. Please be careful. This article has all the tips you need to play with radios and come home safely.
Condolences to his family.
https://www.mydailyrecord.com/townnews/radio/ham-radio-enthusiast-dies-in-accident/article_05b28068-9ee0-49bb-9dc9-9af79bb073be.html
Tragic.
So sad that this happened.
So sorry to hear, and yes, we all must be VERY aware of our surroundings. There is a SOTA “hill” here in So Cal that is located on a site with two 220kV towers. Induction has zapped more than a few that activate that site. Wish SOTA would remove that site as a hazard, but until then, know that you don’t have to touch the wire to be shocked. Your neat little carbon fiber pole is a great conductor even from nearby lines.
Hi Tim,
That was truly a surprising article to read. 1st my condolences to the familly.
Secondly thank you very much for bringing this article to light. It’s true that we are often not too far from power lines but I had never considered them in the light.
Truly a very good article that should be taken to heart.
So Sad to hear this news.
It is so easy to sometimes get distracted. I use verticals a lot in my POTA and even when trying to be careful and use the ” Look Up Before You Put Up”, I have been fortunate to have looked up and saw 8000 Volts. This was even after a site inspection. I did not know Tripp, but have over 50 POTA Contacts with him. Condolences to his family.
Tim VA3UZ
Very sad. Tripp & I just had a P2P on June 19.
It was very tragic news indeed. Although we’ve only worked each other a couple times, I could tell he was a great cw field op. I’d almost always see Tripp on the POTA spot page when I was out doing my activations or whenever I was just checking to see who was on the air. He’ll be missed by many. My condolences go to the family through this tough time. I know he was doing what he loved.
Thiomas,
With your permission, I would like to reprint this article in my club’s newsletter. The club is the Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Club, CFARC, https://sites.google.com/cfarc.org/cfarc/home
Thanks,
Vince AC8XO
You are more than welcome to do so, Vince.
Thank you.
So sad to hear about Tripp. I knew of him from being on the Coastal Carolina Emergency Net. I enjoyed it when he volunteered to call the net. My condolences to the family.
Thank you for publishing this article.
Sandy KB4KN
Thomas,
I’d like to include your article in our club newsletter. Is that OK?
Absolutely! Use it as you see fit.