2020 ILLW from Owls Head Lighthouse

In August, the WS1SM team activated Owls Head Lighthouse, in Owls Head, Maine, for 2020 International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW).

From Left to Right: Brad Brown Jr., KC1JMH, Tim Watson KB1HNZ, Rory McEwen KB1PLY, Jason Andrews W1SFS, and Eric Emery N1RXR.

ILLW, which first began in 1993 as the Scottish Northern Lighthouse Activity Weekend, sees over 500 lighthouses and lightships activated in over 40 countries, and helps promote the preservation of lighthouses and lightships, and at the same time, gives the community an opportunity to experience Amateur Radio.

Jason W1SFS and Rory KB1PLY operate 40m SSB

The Wireless Society of Southern Maine has participated in ILLW since 2011, activating thirteen lighthouses in nine years. Past activations have included Pemaquid Point Light, Portland Head Light, West Quoddy Head Light, Cape Neddick “Nubble” Light, Spring Point Light, and Rockland Breakwater Light, among others.

Joe Grace W1SK stopped by to visit shortly after we were setup and on the air

This year’s event also qualified as a Parks on the Air activation, since the lighthouse is located within Owls Head State Park (POTA: K-2399). It also has the ARLHS designation: USA574.

The fog begins to clear

Club members, including Rory McEwen KB1PLY, Brad Brown Jr. KC1JMH, Tim Watson KB1HNZ, Eric Emery N1RXR, and Jason Andrews W1SFS, took turns operating HF, on 40m, 17m, and 20m throughout the day using Tim’s Yaesu FT857d, Rory’s Icom Ic7000, and Brad’s Yaesu FT991, along with a variety of antennas. Brad even worked a few stations on 2m FM Simplex – one as far away as Castine, and Tim made contacts on DMR. At the end of the day, we made a total of 77 QSOs.

Owls Head Lighthouse up close

To learn more about WS1SM Lighthouse Activations and to see photos, click here.

ILLW from Owls Head Light, ME

Join us this Sunday, August 23rd, from 10am-4pm, as the WS1SM team activates Owls Head Light for International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW).

The international event, which sees over 500 light houses and lightships activated in over 40 countries, helps promote the preservation of lighthouses and lightships, and at the same time, gives the community an opportunity to experience Amateur Radio.

The Wireless Society of Southern Maine has participated in ILLW since 2011, activating several lighthouses along the Maine coast and Canada. Past activations have included Pemaquid Point Light, Portland Head Light, West Quoddy Head Light, Cape Neddick “Nubble” Light, Spring Point Light, and Rockland Breakwater Light, among others.

The event also qualifies as a Parks on the Air activation, since the lighthouse is located within Owls Head State Park. The POTA number is: K-2399

We plan on operating mostly HF, on 40m, 17m, and 20m throughout the day. For the latest frequencies during the activation, look for WS1SM on DX Summit.

73′

Tim
KB1HNZ