[K3CAL] Fwd: News Article: ILLW

[David Hardy]

  KB3RAN
  David Hardy
    davehardy0101 at aol.com
  


-----Original Message-----
From: David Hardy <davehardy0101 at aol.com>
To: webmaster <webmaster at k3cal.org>
Sent: Fri, Apr 4, 2014 1:14 pm
Subject: News Article:  ILLW

                
       The International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend will be held August 16-17, 2014.? At our last meeting, CARA opted to participate again this year.? We operated last year from the Drum Point LIghthouse at Calvert Marine Museum at the Pavilion.? This is a low key event where participating lighthouses make contacts with other lighthouses around the world.? The following from Wikipedia:
    ?
    (January 2014)  The International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW) is an annual event held on the third full weekend of August each year. The event was started by John Forsyth and Mike Dalrymple who were members of the Ayr Amateur Radio Group in Scotland. The event has developed into an international gathering of amateur radio operators from an estimated 54 countries.[1]
    
      Objective
  
    The objective of ILLW event is stated as "to promote public awareness of lighthouses and lightships and their need for preservation and restoration, to promote amateur radio and to foster International goodwill."[2] A classic example of what should not be allowed to happen to a lighthouse is shown here on YouTube featuring the lighthouse remains on Culebrita Island [3] in Puerto Rico
  Format  The basic format of the event is that a local amateur radio club will set up a radio station either in, or near to, a lighthouse. They will then operate from that station over the whole or part of the weekend. The goal is to contact other amateur stations, particularly those operating from other lighthouse sites. Visiting public are invited to watch the operators and even use the equipment under supervision while visiting the lighthouse. YouTube[4] has numerous video clips about the weekend which have been submitted by participants.
  ?
  This info from ILLW website:?
    ? The event is NOT a contest. There are no prizes, certificates or other enticements to participate and therefore, participation is free. Each station's operators decide how they will operate their station regards modes and bands.? Participants? are not committed to being on the air during the entire period - only as much as they can. There are no restrictions on aerials or power.?? We wish operators to enjoy themselves and have fun whilst making contact with as many amateur radio stations as possible.?We request that stations take time to work other lighthouses or lightships as well as the slow operator, or the newly-licensed or QRP stations.?
  How close to the Lighthouse do I have to be?
 
  As most available space in many lighthouses is usually filled to capacity, our activity does not have to take place inside the tower itself.? Field day type set-up at the light or other building next to the light is OK.? Our guidelines require that the station must be AT or ADJACENT to the light. Adjacent means next to or as close as possible in the field next door. The intention behind this requirement is that the station should have a visible presence to the passing public who may be visiting the lighthouse over the weekend.? Permission to operate from a lighthouse / lightship should be obtained from the relevant authorities. Operation from faux or false lighthouses, lights on poles etc. is discouraged as they are not within the?spirit of the event.
 
  
      ?
      This year's plans are still being formulated.? Options are:? 1. Rent Cove Point Lighthouse B&B for the weekend.? 2. Go back to Drum Point Lighthouse again.?3. Use Eric's catamaran and anchor offshore of the Cove Point Lighthouse and operate marine mobile.? Option 1 is expensive.? Options 2? and 3 are more realistic.? If you are interested in participating in the event, please contact me (410-394-0095)?or Eric? (editor: fill in Eric's callsign please and phone if you have it)
 ? 
           KB3RAN
     David Hardy
          davehardy0101 at aol.com
     
     
      
  
 

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