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 Previous: The ARRL Incoming W5 Bureau |  Next: DXCC to Accept P5/4L4FN Contacts for Credit |
By Duane Traver, WV2B
April 1, 2002
Lighthouses: visual beacons to protect people and commerce. Amateur Radio: a communication service in the public interest, convenience or necessity. Is there a link?
 Longstone Light-UK WLH-0234. [Photos used by permission of WLH Vice President Don Chamberlain, W9DC.] |
Looking for a way to light up your operating? Try lighthouses. For many people, lighthouses represent more than simple aids to navigation. The sight of a lighthouse often conjures up visions of shipwrecks, great storms, brave acts of courage, adventure, and the isolation of some remote lighthouse station. They revive the stories of times past when lighthouses guided fishermen safely back home despite the treacherous storms, fogs, and other dangers encountered by those making their living from the sea. So it should come as no surprise that hams with an interest in lighthouses would find a way to combine the two. The result is a number of fun awards and activities involving contacting or activating lighthouses on the ham bands.
The World Lighthouse Award
The World Lighthouse
Award
was conceived by a group of French hams who also have a love of deep water
lighthouses. The award is meant to be a true challenge commemorating the
ordeals faced by lighthouse keepers in remote and desolate locations. Only
contacts with lighthouses on rocks or small islands count for this award.
Lights on the mainland or on populated islands do not count. To earn the award
one must contact 50 different lighthouse operations approved by the awards
committee. So far, only two people have earned the award: #001 to W9DC, and
#002 to Fredy Stippschild, DE0MST.
 Moutons Island Lighthouse--WHL-0002 (France) |
Activating a lighthouse for this award can be a challenge. The operation must take place from the rock or island on which the lighthouse is sited. Proof that the operation was on land adjacent to the light must be provided. A photo of antennas or operators near the light must be provided and proper permission must have been obtained from whatever authority is in control of the island or lighthouse. An application for approval of a lighthouse operation must be made with the award sponsors or award checkpoint station. An award is also offered for activating lighthouses. US and Canadian hams may contact WLH Vice President Don Chamberlain, W9DC, for further information.
Activating a lighthouse for this award can be as challenging as a DXCC or IOTA island. In fact many DXCC or IOTA islands have lighthouses. To activate a lighthouse for The World Lighthouse Award, one will face the same obstacles encountered as for any other DXpedition. Operators will have to arrange for transportation of equipment to the rock or island and gain permission for the operation. In the US and Canada many lighthouses have been turned over to non-profit organizations. The organization owns the property, but the Coast Guard maintains the actual light apparatus. In other cases the Coast Guard is still in control of the lighthouse, or a different governmental entity may have to be contacted--such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Activating a light for this award can prove to be a challenge but can also bring great satisfaction.
-WLH-0012.jpg) Faral Centinella Lighthouse--WLH-0012 (Venezuela) |
ARLHS Awards
The Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society also sponsors a number of awards for those chasing lighthouse contacts. Awards are available for working 25 different lights, all of the 31 states having lights with a lighthouse station, all continents with a lighthouse station, all US call areas with a lighthouse station and 100 countries with lighthouse stations. An award is also available for activating 10 different lighthouses.
To activate a lighthouse for the ARLHS awards one may operate using a Field Day type set-up from near the light, or mobile or maritime mobile from within sight of the lighthouse. The ARLHS insists that proper permission be obtained for any operation.
Special Activity
WLH-0911.jpg) Salut Island Lighthouse--WLH-0911 (French Guiana) |
Although lighthouse activities and special events take place at various times, there are some special occasions to keep in mind: The Lighthouse Spring Lights QSO Party will be held March 29-April 7; International Lighthouse-Lightship Weekend will take place August 16-18 and National Lighthouse Weekend will be August 2-4. All are excellent times to find lighthouse activity. Many countries, states and Canadian Provinces have lighthouse days or weeks, which are good times to watch for activities. The ARHLS suggests checking 14.270 MHz and 14.030 MHz for possible activity. Keeping a close eye on listings of special events stations may also turn up some forthcoming lighthouse activity.
There are many other lighthouse awards besides those mentioned. So light up your operating by chasing some lighthouses. For more information on Lighthouse Awards see Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society.
ARRL Member Duane Traver, WV2B, lives in Lisle, New York. A ham since
age 13, Duane enjoys contests, DXing and of course working and activating
lighthouses. He activated both lighthouses on St Paul Island, CY9, and
lighthouses on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Duane also serves as Official
Observer Coordinator for the ARRL Western New York Section. He can be reached
at WV2B@ARRL.net.
| Previous: The ARRL Incoming W5 Bureau | Next: DXCC to Accept P5/4L4FN Contacts for Credit |
