ARLA/CLUSTER: 100 primeiros registos para o ILLW 2014

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

ILLW reaches 100 on its list

The honour of being the 100th registration in the annual International
Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend goes to South Australia's Point Lowly
Lighthouse, to be activated by the Whyalla Amateur Radio Club VK5BWR.

Club President Alex Glinski VK5ALX says the activation will be within
the heritage listed caretaker's cottage.

Previously club members put VK5BWR on air from an emergency generator
room, and some spent the night rugged up in sleeping bags or on the
back seat of their cars.

Alex VK5ALX claims that with the more comfortable overnight
accommodation available for members it will be the best weekend ever.

Whyalla's annual show which attracts 20,000 people is also on the same
weekend and some of the visitors will also come to the Point Lowly
Peninsula and lighthouse.

This means that VK5BWR set-up in a courtyard has a great opportunity
to promote Amateur Radio activity and a bit of lighthouse history.

Built in 1883 the lighthouse is Whyalla's oldest structure standing 15
metres tall, made of local sandstone, and on a point jutting into the
northern end of the Spencer Gulf.

Powered these days by electricity and a powerful tungsten halogen
lamp, it started with a wick burner fuelled by mineral oil and then a
kerosene vaporising light unit.

Made redundant by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in 1993, it
was bought by the Whyalla City Council in 1995 with help of the South
Australian Government.

Under local control the light was reactivated after it and two
cottages had been beautifully restored.

If you want join 22 countries which have already registered a
lighthouse, lightship or marine beacon, or to see the event guidelines
for August the 16th and 17th, visit the website www.illw.net

Jim Linton VK3PC