ARLA/CLUSTER: Apelo para o ILLW 2015: Austrália ainda tem muitos faróis para activar

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

VK has lots of lighthouses

Australia has lighthouses dotted around its vast coastline, several others
are in the lightship category, with up to 70 regularly active each August
thanks to portable radio amateurs.

Starting the tradition was the late Mike Dalrymple GM4SUC who in 1998,
invited downunder to join the International Lighthouse and Lightship
Weekend.

The responses were: Greencape Lighthouse VK2SEA the Australian Naval
Amateur Radio Society by Kevin VK2CE, the Brisbane Amateur Radio Club
VK4BAR and VK4RAN, both at the Queensland Maritime Museum, and Trevor
VK7TS from Eddystone Point in Tasmania.

Records show that the four had a very good time and even worked
several ZL stations. The ILLW was here to stay.

Why has Australia embraced this event with such fervour and enthusiasm?

Initially there was some reluctance and misunderstanding by lighthouse owners.

With lots of diplomacy explaining the fun-event, and the publicity
that flowed from it, there was a decided positive change of attitude.

Through a lot the early hard work the number of VK stations has
increased with it peaking at 72 in the year 2012, and not that far
behind since.

Arch rival in the event is Germany which also had 72 a year later in 2013,
and the USA had 93 to top the list last year.

So far 2015 is shaping up well attracting 130 registrations from 20
countries for the weekend of August the 15th the 16th.

If you would like more information or to register on line then please visit
the dedicated website www.illw.net

Jim Linton VK3PC