Great South Bay 
Amateur Radio Club
P.O. Box 1356, West Babylon, NY 11704 

"....serving the Community through Public Service."

QSL via W2GSB/LH,

PO Box 1356, West Babylon, NY 11704-0356.

S.A.S.E.  Please.

DX QSL direct or via BURO.

[Preview of QSL Card]

This operation is made possible by the Fire Island Light Preservation Society, Fire Island Light staff and Fire Island National Seashore. We thank them for their gracious hospitality and for the opportunity to operate Amateur Radio from Fire Island Lighthouse.

The  International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend came into being in 1997 from the Scottish Northern Lighthouses award weekend by Mike Dalrymple, GM4SUC, a member of the Ayr Amateur Radio Group, see also this web site for further history and this page for the event's first web site. Over the years it has grown to over 380 lighthouses in some 51 countries around the world participating in the event.  This event is NOT a contest, each station decides how they will operate their station regards modes and bands.

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The following is from the ILLW website:

PURPOSE

The basic objective of the event is to promote public awareness of lighthouses and lightships and their need for preservation and restoration, to promote amateur radio  and to foster International goodwill.

GUIDELINES

The event is NOT a contest, 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.   The ILLW wish operators to enjoy themselves and have fun while making contact with as many amateur radio stations as possible. The ILLW requests that stations take time to work other lighthouses or lightships as well as the slow operator, or the newly-licensed or QRP stations.  

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 tothe light is OK.  The ILLW 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. Rules about 'line of sight' or 'within 1000m' do NOT apply to this event. Permission to operate from a lighthouse/lightship must 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.

SUGGESTED DEFINITIONS

Lighthouse: Generally regarded as a structure which is or has been listed officially as an aid to navigation and which falls into the classic concept of a lighthouse including those which have been moved to a museum and the ever increasing GRP cabinets.

Lightships: Similarly, these are those lightships which are or have been listed officially as floating aids to navigation. 

Faux Lights: Faux or false lighthouses are those which have never been an active aid to navigation and never listed officially as such. They are usually replicas, miniatures or other structures constructed for decorative purposes to satisfy some person's whimsy. Their use in this event is discouraged as they are not within the spirit of the event.

Having said that, it should be borne in mind that the ILLW organizers cannot prevent any amateur from operating at any lighthouse but faux lights will generally not be listed on the official entrants list.

The onus is on operators to act within the spirit of the event, the object of which is to have a visible presence at or near the lighthouse because the event is used to obtain maximum exposure for our hobby.   The ILLW invites the press and, QTH permitting, also the public and try to underline the obvious parallel between the international aspect in lighthouses, lightships and amateur radio.  

FREQUENCIES

The ILLW generally recommend use of the event segment of the 5 'Classic' bands with a centre frequency if conditions are bad, then at least we have one place we can (try to) meet.  We request that the centre frequencies are not used as primary frequencies but as a last point of call to other participating stations.  

Because it is NOT a contest you may operate on any authorized frequency as per your license.

OTHER

To assist other stations we request that participating CW stations add LT for lighthouse or LS for lightship, other stations add 'LIGHT',  'LGT' , 'LIGHTHOUSE' or 'LIGHTSHIP' after their call.  Some stations obtain a callsign with the letter L in the suffix to assist other stations identifying them as a participating station in the event.

IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS

The ILLW organizers have compiled a list of lights which have participated in the event for the purpose of allocating an identifying number to each lighthouse/lightship. The list will gradually be expanded but it will never attempt to be a definitive list of every lighthouse in existence. It will assist operators in difficult conditions to issue a contact number in lieu of the lighthouse name. The list thus far is here. If your lighthouse is not listed, don't worry just enter and leave the number field blank. A number will be allocated after your entry is received.

The ILLW ceased using the previous numbering system on the list of entrants list last year, 2007, because they no longer suited our purposes. You may, if you so wish, continue to use those numbers on QSL cards and certificates. 

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So come and join us in the fun of the weekend, establish a station at a lighthouse, lightship or maritime beacon.  The more the merrier.  If you decide to join us in the fun just fill in the official online entry form with your details. This will enable other stations to be aware of who is participating in the event. You may also send you entry, or any questions regarding the rules, via email to:  Here

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We at the Great South Bay ARC hope to work you during the event and enter you in the log.

Additional Information:  e-mail ka2rgi @ arrl.net  
*USA QSL may be confirmed via e-mail.

W2GSB/Lighthouse
PO Box 1356
West Babylon, NY 11704-0356 

SASE Please!