International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend

AN ANNUAL AMATEUR RADIO WEEKEND EVENT.
ORGANISED AND CONTROLLED SOLELY BY THE AYR AMATEUR RADIO GROUP, SCOTLAND
NEXT YEAR'S EVENT - 21-22 AUGUST 2010

Read the latest article about the ILLW in the RSGB magazine "Radcom" download here.

The ILLW was started in Scotland in 1995 by Mike Dalrymple (GM4SUC) and other members of Ayr Amateur Radio Group. Today the group is committed to the longterm ownership, development, administration and non-commercial operation of the event on behalf of the world-wide radio amateur community. Through its efforts in these areas AARG hopes to ensure that the ILLW and Mike's dream (of a premier international goodwill event) shall continue for many years in a truly amateur environment.

The event came into being from the Scottish Northern Lighthouses award weekend . See also the Ayr Group web site for further history and here for the original ILLW web site and 1999 list by Bob Dixon, GM3ZDH. Over the past 12 years it has grown to over 400 lighthouses in some 50 countries around the world participating in the event. For the history of the event please see this page.

The event is always held on the 3rd full weekend in August starting at 0001 UTC on Saturday and finishing at 2359 UTC on Sunday. It also now coincides on the Sunday with the International Lighthouse Day which is an event organised by the International Association of Lighthouse Keepers whereby as many world lighthouses will be open to the public for the day.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM AND ENTRANT'S LIST FOR 2010

SUGGESTED DEFINITIONS

Lighthouse: Generally regarded as a structure which is or has been listed officially as an aid to navigation in a recognised publication such as the British Admiralty List of Light and Foghorns, and which falls into the classic concept of a lighthouse including those which have been moved to a museum and the ever increasing Glass Reinforced Plastic (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 organisers cannot prevent any amateur from operating at any lighthouse but faux lights will generally not be listed on the official entrants list.

Examples of some lights which have been submitted for the event but which have been rejected can be seen on this web page.

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. We invite 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

We generally recommend use 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 authorised frequency as per your licence.

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 organisers 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.

We 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

FORUM

While you are at it why not join our on line forum which has been set up for entrant's and others to discuss the event, ask questions, make suggestions and even constructive criticism. Click here for our forum.

ILLW LOGO

The logo which appears at the top of the ILLW.net web pages is now a registered Trade Mark and as such may only be reproduced with the approval of the owners of the Trade Mark. Generally speaking there is no problem with entrants using the logo without permission on their web sites, Qsl cards or certificates as this usage is within the spirit of the event and to its benefit.

VIDEO CLIPS FROM PAST YEARS

There are some interesting video clips which give an idea of the history of the event and what it's like to operate from a lighthouse:
ZL6LH - 2008 Yamba Lighthouse Point Perpendicular Barrenjoey Lighthouse

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

The organisers of the ILLW, the Ayr Amateur Radio Group, Scotland, would like to thank all of this year's entrants for their loyalty and support of this web site and the fact that they have lodged entries via the official online entry form. We hope you have a very enjoyable weekend and we look forward to your participation next year. It has come to our notice that there is confusing and inaccurate information on other web sites about the timing and duration of this year's ILLW event. Please see this page for details.

See where the 2008 and 2009 lighthouses are located with Google Earth. Click on the download button for the file.
You will need Google Earth (free) to view the file.

ILLW Entrants Lists for:-

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |1999

Statistics for the past few years

Reports from 2009 entrants

Reports from 2008 entrants | Reports from 2007 entrants | Reports from 2006 entrants | Reports from 2005 entrants |

Reports from 2004 entrants| Reports from 2003 entrants | Reports from 2002 entrants