WS1SM Amateur Radio
Lighthouse Activations
2011
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse,
South Bristol, ME
FN53fu
International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW: US0124 ARLHS: USA589
On Sunday, August 21, 2011, the 18th
annual International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend
was our first ham radio lighthouse activation as a club. The WS1SM
team, consiting of Thom Watson W1WMG, Tim Watson KB1HNZ, Frank Krizan
KR1ZAN, Frank Allen WA1PLD, and Jason Andrews KB1UXB, operated for 7
hours and tallied 96 contacts. Bruce Howes W1UJR, from nearby
Wiscasset, and other local hams, also stopped by to join the
fun.
The expedition is best remembered for Jason Andrews making his first HF
QSO.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Thom W1WMG at the operating point
while others look on
Frank Allen WA1PLD, Tim Watson
KB1HNZ, and Jason Andrews KB1UXB, hold the WS1SM banner
Lots of guests stop by, including
Bruce Howes W1UJR |
Thom Watson W1WMG, and Jason
Andrews KB1UXB
Tim Watson KB1HNZ at the mic while
Jason KB1UXB logs
Thom displays the banner from the
light tower
Frank Krizan KR1ZAN takes a turn
at the mic |
2012
Wood Island Lighthouse,
Biddeford Pool, ME
FN43uk
International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW:
US0141 ARLHS: USA905 IOTA: NA137
US Islands: ME103S
On
August 19, the WS1SM team, consisting of Thom Watson W1WMG, Sam Webber
N1WIG, Dave Wood KB1FGF, Rory McEwen KB1PLY, and Tim Watson, activated
Wood Island Lighthouse, off the coast of
Biddeford Pool, ME, for the 2012 International Lighthouse &
Lightship Weekend (ILLW). Since the lighthouse is also on an
island, the activation also qualified for Islands on the Air (IOTA) and
US Islands on the Air, having designators for each.
The day began with a trip on the "Light Runner," which is an aluminum
landing craft which is primarily used by the Friends of Wood Island,
who maintain and care for the lighthouse and surrounding
area.
The weather was fantastic throughout the day, and there were many
visitors on tours who stopped by as well, including Tammy Wells, a
writer for the Journal Tribune newspaper, in Biddeford.
Altogether
WS1SM made 97 QSO's contacting several lighthouses throughout the
country and around the world, as well as many chasers. The stations
consisted of a Yaesu FT857d, and Icom IC7000, using a 40m dipole and
Buddipole rotatable dipole antenna, on 100% battery power.
The
"Light Runner"
Wood Island Lighthouse
The light tower
Thom W1WMG holds up the banner in
the light tower
The Oil House
BuddiPole and Banner
"I sail"
All hands on deck
Debriefing at Run of the
Mill
|
The 1/2 mile long boardwalk
Thom W1WMG logs a contact
Rory McEwen KB1PLY at the mic
Wood Island Lighthouse with
antennas setup
Herald VE2HRP, and Rory KB1PLY,
check out the IC7000
The light tower and fog horns
Captain Mel
"I sail"
Waiting for the dinner crowd
|
2013
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, South
Bristol, ME FN53fu
International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW:
US0124 ARLHS: USA589
On
August 18, 2013 the WS1SM team, consisting of Steve McGrath N1EOE,
Frank Ktizan KR1ZAN, Ryan Michaelson KB1YTR, Charlie Shepard W1CPS, Tim
Watson KB1HNZ, the Dumont family (Dakota KB1YYC, Annette KC1AMQ, and
Bert KB1ZLV), and Dave Wood KB1FGF, returned to Pemaquid for
International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW). The team
made
over 200 QSO's using multiple stations, including Steve's "go box"
outfitted with a Yaesu FY897, tuner, and battery pack. We also used
Tim's Yaesu FT857d on battery power, Ryan's Elecraft KX-3, and
Charlie's Icom IC-7000. Antennas included a BuddiPole rotatable dipole,
a G-Whip end fed zepp, a 40m dipole, and a multi-band fan
dipole.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Charlie Shepard W1CPS on the air
Fan dipole in the air
Ryan KB1YTR operating 40m on his
KX3
Annette Dumont KC1AMQ, and Dakota
Dumont KB1YYC
View from the light tower |
Ryan Michaelson KB1YTR sets up an
antenna
Strategy Meeting
Steve McGrath N1EOE's station in a
box
The Yaesu FT857d on battery power
Fresnel lens
L-R: KB1HNZ, KB1YTR, KB1YYC,
KB1FGF, KC1AMQ, KB1ZLV, N1EOE, and KR1ZAN
|
2014
Seguin Island Light, Seguin Island,
ME FN53cr
RSGB
Islands on the Air Contest (IOTA)
ILLW:
US0139 ARLHS: USA746 IOTA:
NA137
US Islands: ME104S
On
July 26, an international team of hams set off to Seguin Island to
activate it for the 2014 RSGB Islands on the Air Contest. Team members
packed their gear abourd the Leeward,
which departed from Fort Popham early Saturday morning.
Once
at the island, our planned operating position, which was Seguin Island
Head Light, vanished from view, since it was situated atop a large hill
on the far end of the island. Gear was packed aboard an inflatable
dinghy and a few people at a time were rowed to shore by one of the
ship's crew. Once everything was unloaded on the small beach, the
heavier equipment was piled onto a tram that was pulled to the top by a
chain-driven diesel engine. We hiked along a trail on the side of the
tram line, and made it to the lighthouse about 15-20 minutes later.
Once
there, we began to setup our 4 stations (3 HF & 1 VHF). We used
a
variety of wire antennas, a BuddiPole, and a mast and beam for VHF. We
had many contacts with participating stations, including several other
island expeditions around the world.
The WS1SM team consisted
of: Sam Webber N1WIG, Frank Krizan KR1ZAN, Thom Watson W1WMG, Tim
Watson KB1HNZ, Charlie Shepard W1CPS, Cindy Shepard W1CJS, Sean Binette
W1GFD, Stefania Chiruta YO9GJY, the Dumont family (Annette KC1AMQ, Bert
KB1ZLV, and Dakota KB1YYC), Bill Richardson NG1P, Willie Richardson
KC1AKU, Ryan Michaelson KB1YTR, and Dave Wood KB1FGF.
Stefania Chiruta YO9GJY, joined us
all the way from Romania
Getting everybody on board
Ryan, Willie, and Bill watch as
the first dinghy is loaded
Beach landing
Stefania operating 20 meters
Ryan programs APRS
Snack time
|
Thom W1WMG, Sam N1WIG, and Dave
KB1FGF
Frank, Steve, Sean, Dakota, Ryan,
Thom, and others
Bert, Dakota, and Annette, being
rowed to shore in the dinghy
Seguin Island Light
Bert KB1ZLV, Dakota KB1YYC, and
Sean W1GFD work the 40m station
Thom, Frank, Annette, and others
wave from the light tower
Tim, Stefania, Dave, Sam, and
Dakota, in the light tower |
2014
West Quoddy Head Light, Lubec, ME
FN64mt
International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW:
US0041 ARLHS: USA880
On
the weekend of August 16-17, the WS1SM team, consisting of Charlie
Shepard W1CPS, Cindy Shepard W1CJS, Ryan Michaelson KB1YTR, Thom Watson
W1WMG, and Tim Watson KB1HNZ, activated West Quoddy Head Light for the
2014 International & Lightship Weekend (ILLW).
Operating
3 stations simultaneously on mixed HF with battery power, the team made
over 200 QSO's, many of which were lighthouse-to-lighthouse contacts.
Stations consisted of a Yaesu FT857d with BuddiPole rotatable dipole,
and Icom IC706MKIIG with a SOTA Beams 40m dipole, and an Icom IC7000
with a fan dipole for 10/15/20m.
West Quoddy Head Light
Ryan KB1YTR operates from near the
lighthouse
Ryan visits the 17m station
Yaesu FT857d
Ryan KB1YTR operates 20m
Charlie works 17 meters
Ryan talks to Frank KR1ZAN on 40m
Cindy W1CJS makes a contact on HF |
Thom Watson W1WMG
The famous striped light tower
The lighthouse and the BuddiPole
Thom W1WMG operates HF
L-R: Charlie W1CPS, Tim KB1HNZ,
Cindy W1CJS, Ryan KB1YTR, and Thom W1WMG
Charlie W1CPS, and Cindy W1CJS,
operate the 40m station
Andy, a local ham, stops by
Charlie W1CPS at the mic, while
Thom logs
|
2014 Head Harbour Light ,
Wilsons Beach, NB Canada FN67nw
International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW:
CA0047 ARLHS: CAN166
On
Sunday, August 17, WS1SM team members Ryan Michaelson KB1YTR, Thom
Watson W1WMG, and Tim Watson KB1HNZ, ventured to New Brunswick's Head
Harbor Light Station, to activate their first Canadian light for ILLW.
Using call sign VE9/WS1SM, the team setup Ryan's Elecraft KX3 with
random wire antenna for HF, and also used a Kenwood TMD710 to make
several contacts on VHF, including a member of the Swallowtail
Lighthouse ILLW team on Grand Manan Island.
Tim KB1HNZ, Thom W1WMG, and Ryan
KB1YTR hold the banner |
Thom W1WMG, and Ryan KB1YTR,
operating 40m QRP |
2015
Cape Neddick "Nubble" Light, Cape
Neddick, ME FN43qd
International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW:
US0201 ARLHS: USA130
On
August 16, the WS1SM team, including Charlie Shepard W1CPS, Cindy
Shepard W1CJS, Ryan Michaelson KB1YTR, Annette Dumont KC1AMQ, Dakota
Dumont KB1YYC, Thom Watson W1WMG, Tim Watson KB1HNZ, and Jason Andrews
W1SFS, activated Cape Neddick "Nubble" Lighthouse for the 2015
International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW).
Operating
3 stations simultaneously on mixed HF with battery power, the team made
over 100 QSO's, many of which were lighthouse-to-lighthouse contacts.
Stations
consisted of a Yaesu FT857d with a BuddiPole rotatable dipole, an Icom
IC7000 with a SOTA Beams 40m dipole, and an Elecraft KX3 with random
wire.
Foggy morning
Thom W1WMG tugs on a rope
Dakota and Jason still on the air
Thom W1WMG and Charlie at the mic
Jason W1SFS, and Thom W1WMG
Annette KC1AMQ, and Ryan KB1YTR,
take turns at the mic
Tim KB1HNZ at the mic
|
Dakota surveys the site
Dakota KB1YYC, and Jason W1SFS
operate separate bands
Closeup of Dakota working a pileup
on 20m
Different angle
Thom, Charlie, and Annette
BuddiPole, with the lighthouse in
the background
L-R: Thom W1WMG, Charlie W1CPS,
Cindy W1CJS, Jason W1SFS, Annette KC1AMQ, Ryan KB1YTR, Tim KB1HNZ, and
Dakota KB1YYC |
2016
Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth,
ME FN43vo
International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW:
US0201 ARLHS: USA661
During
the weekend of August 20-21st, the WS1SM team activated Portland Head
Light for International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW).
2016
marked the sixth year that WSSM has participated in the event, which
sees more than 500 lighthouses activated worldwide.
Portland
Head Light is an historic landmark, having been commissioned by George
Washington in 1787. It was first illuminated on January 10, 1791 using
Whale Oil Lamps. Surrounded by rocky ledges that extend to the sea, the
lighthouse is located within the picturesque Fort Williams Park, in
Cape Elizabeth.
On Saturday the 20th, we setup on the lawn just
to the right side of the lighthouse, eventually including three HF
stations, operating exclusively on battery power. The first was
comprised of a Yaesu FT857d and a 40m inverted-V antenna. The
second was an Icom IC7000 and a windom for 20m and 17m, and the third
was truly a "station in a box," including a Yaesu FT897, tuner,
battery, and external speaker, using a portable loop antenna.
The
day started out foggy and mostly cloudy, and that lasted until about
2pm, when the sun finally broke through. Most of the operators weren't
prepared for the sun, as they intended to use EZ-ups for the shade, but
park officials gave us last minute notice that they wouldn't allow
them. Therefore, for Sunday, we moved operations closer to the tree
line to take advantage of the shade.
We saw the most activity on
40 meters, as propagation on the higher bands was not very good. This
improved, however, on Sunday, as wel doubled the amount of QSO's on
those bands over the prior day. We had fun chasing other lighthouses,
and had QSO's with many over the two days, including lighthouses in
Scotland, Austria, Greece, the Great Lakes, and more. We also enjoyed
having QSO's with the various chasers who were collecting lighthouses
over the weekend - many who were happy to work Portland Head Light for
the first time.
Stefania K1GJY operates 40m
Dakota operates while Ryan and
Bert look on
Ryan, Charlie, and Bert setup an
OCF dipole
Dave KB1FGF, approves
Visitors
Portland Head Light |
Our operating position near
Portland Head Light
Bert KB1ZLV, and Dakota KB1YYC
Stefania K1GJY, Pete KC1DFO, and
CJ W1CJC (at the mic)
CJ operates 40m as the fog rolls in
The light tower
Jim KB1SDK operates 40m
|
2016 Bass Harbor Head
Light, Bass Harbor, ME
FN54tf
National
Parks on the Air (NPOTA)
ARLHS:
USA041
NPOTA: NP01
On
September 10th, 2016, Stefania Watson K1GJY, and her husband Tim
KB1HNZ, activated Bass Harbor Head Light as part of their National
Parks on the Air expedition to Acadia. The station consisted of an Icom
IC706 MKIIG, on battery power, with a BuddiPole antenna. Bass Harbor
was one of three locations within the park that they operated from,
which included the Natural Seawall, and Cadillac
Mountain.
Bass Harbor Head Light
The Yaesu FT857d |
Hidden in the trees
Stefania K1GJY operates 20m
|
2017
Portland Breakwater "Bug" Light,
South Portland, ME FN43vp
International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW:
US0225 ARLHS: USA659
During
the weekend of August 19-20th, the WS1SM team activated Portland
Breakwater Light for International Lighthouse & Lightship
Weekend
(ILLW). 2017
marked the seventh year that WSSM has participated in the event, which
sees more than 500 lighthouses activated worldwide.
Club
members who participated, included Charlie Shepard W1CPS, CJ Carlsson
W1CJC, Eric Emery KC1HJK, Frank Krizan KR1ZAN, Fred Ward W4FWW, Dakota
Dumont KB1YYC, Rory McEwen KB1PLY, Dave Wood KB1FGF, Stefania Watson
K1GJY, and Tim Watson KB1HNZ.
We operated two full-time HF
stations, including an Icom IC7000, on battery power, with an
Off-Center-Fed dipole antenna, and an Icom IC706 MKIIG on battery
power, with a BuddiPole antenna. Team members also used various HTs for
QSOs on 2 meters and 70cm. The
expedition is best remembered for Eric Emery KC1HJK, making his first
HF
QSO.
The BuddiPole with Bug Light in
the background
CJ and Charlie, with the OCF
dipole setup
Stefania is still busy on 20m
Fred, Frank, and Rory make
adjustments to the OCF diploe
CJ operates 17m
Stefania operates 20m
Bug Light
|
Stefania K1GJY works a pileup on
20m
Dakota at the mic while CJ looks on
Stefania, Frank, Fred, Rory, and
Dave
CJ W1CJC operates as the Cat Ferry
goes by
Tim KB1HNZ has a turn at the mic
L-R: Charlie W1CPS, CJ W1CJC, Dave
KB1FGF, Rory KB1PLY, Stefania K1GJY, and Tim KB1HNZ
Eric KC1HJK makes his first HF
contact! |
2018
Spring Point Ledge Light,
South Portland, ME FN43vp
International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW:
US0231 ARLHS: USA785
During
the weekend of August 18-19th, the WS1SM team activated Spring Point
Ledge Lighthouse, in South Portland, ME, for International Lighthouse
& Lightship
Weekend
(ILLW). Club
members operated from
10am-4pm on both days, using the special event call sign K1S.
2018
marked the eigth year that WSSM has participated in ILLW, which sees
over 500 light houses and lightships activated in over 40 countries.
The international event helps promote the preservation of lighthouses
and lightships, and at the same time gives the community an opportunity
to experience Amateur Radio first hand.
WSSM
operated 2 stations full time, from within the lighthouse, including a
Yaesu FT-857d with a BuddiPole (for 6-20m) antenna, and an Icom IC7300
connected to a 40m dipole. This was the first time we were able to
operate from inside an active lighthouse. Special thanks to Keith
Thompson AC1EG, and the Spring Point Ledge Light Trust for their
hospitality.
Particpants included Mike Fandell N5QYQ, Charlie
Shepard W1CPS, Sean Binette W1MSA, Eric Emery KC1HJK, Curt Sachs K2IPH,
Rory McEwen KB1PLY, Stefania Watson K1GJY, Tim Watson KB1HNZ,
Brad Brown, Jr. KC1JMH, Keith Thompson AC1EG, and Peter
Warren
KC1DFO.
Pete KC1DFO operates while Sean
W1MSA logs (photo by: Eric Emery)
A schooner goes by (photo by: Eric Emery)
The whole crew (photo by: Sean Binette)
The VHF/UHF log periodic
The WSSM Information Display
Pete KC1DFO and Spring Point Ledge
Light from the mainland
Sean W1MSA makes adjustments to
the BuddiPole
Looking down at Pete from the
highest platform
Debrief after installing the
antennas
Lighthouse keeper's hat
Stefania K1GJY
Mike N5QYQ operates while Brad
KC1JMH logs
and Pete KC1DFO looks on |
God Bless America (photo
by: Eric Emery)
"The Cat" (photo
by: Eric Emery)
Sean W1MSA operates 20m (photo by: Eric
Emery)
Stefania K1GJY has a run on 20m
The lamp room
Keith AC1EG
In the kitchen
Bringing supplies up through the trap door
The Yaesu FT-857d, tuner, and battery power
The BuddiPole on the top platform
Tim KB1HNZ
The 40m antenna
|
2019 Rockland
Breakwater Light, Rockland, ME
FN54lc
International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW:
US0173 ARLHS: USA699
On
Saturday, August 17th, the WS1SM team activated Rockland Breakwater
Light, in Rockland Harbor, ME, for International Lighthouse
& Lightship
Weekend
(ILLW). Club
members operated from
10am-5pm, using call sign WS1SM.
2019
marked the ninth year that WSSM has participated in ILLW, which sees
over 500 light houses and lightships activated in over 40 countries.
The international event helps promote the preservation of lighthouses
and lightships, and at the same time gives the community an opportunity
to experience Amateur Radio first hand.
The
morning started out with breakfast at Moody's Diner, in Waldoboro,
before the team met up at the parking lot for the lighthouse. Ahead of
them was task of carrying the radio equipment across the 7/8-mile long
breakwater. This wasn't easy, as one of the heavisest items,
a marine battery, had to be brought out in a cart that wasn't
well
suited to the rough surface of the rocks that made up the breakwater.
It required two to three people at any given time to help it along.
Once at the lighthouse, however, the setting was a beautiful place to
spend the day on the radio.
The WS1SM team operated 2 stations
full time from the front porch of the lighthouse, which overlooks the
breakwater, including a
Yaesu FT-857d with a 40m dipole, and an Icom IC-706 MKIIG connected to
a BuddiPole (for 6-20m) antenna. Both stations operated on battery
power, with solar assistance. 40 meter conditions were excellent and
contacts were plenty there. Band conditions were a little more
difficult on 20 meters, but it improved later in the day to even
include a few DX contacts.
Particpants
included Eric Emery KC1HJK, CJ Carlsson W1CJC, Tim Watson KB1HNZ,
Brad Brown, Jr. KC1JMH, and Peter Warren
KC1DFO.
"This
year's ILLW has been a lot of fun," said Tim Watson KB1HNZ. "It was fun
working all the other lighthouses on the bands and also demonstrating
ham radio to the public. We even met some other hams in person, who
stopped by to say hi."
Brad Brown KC1JMH said afterwards, "We'd
really like to thank the folks from Massachusetts who helped us carry
the cart back," referring to a gentleman and his two grandsons who saw
Brad, Tim, CJ, and Pete struggling with it and helped carry it to the
mainland. "The extra help meant a lot at the end of a long day."
Earlier, Eric KC1HJK, brought the battery back on his kayak, so it was
a little easier than it could've been.
Eric, Pete, Tim, and Brad at
Moody's Diner
Taking a break
On the air!
Tim KB1HNZ operates 40m SSB
(photo by: Eric Emery)
Brad Brown KC1JMH (photo
by: Eric Emery)
Starting the trip back
|
L-R: Tim KB1HNZ, Pete KC1DFO, and
Brad KC1JMH on the breakwater
Finally there! Setting up antennas
at the lighthouse
From the porch, looking down the
breakwater
A schooner goes by (photo
by: Eric Emery)
Lobster boat in action (photo
by: Eric Emery)
Eric takes off with the battery
|
2020 Owls Head Lighthouse, Owls Head, ME
FN54lc
International
Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW)
ILLW:
US0250 ARLHS: USA574
On
Saturday, August 22nd, the WS1SM team activated Owls Head
Lighthouse, in Owls Head, Maine, for 2020 International Lighthouse and
Lightship Weekend (ILLW).
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..
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.
Tim KB1HNZ takes a photo
Brad KC1JMH, Tim KB1HNZ, and Jason W1SFS
The BuddiPole returns for another adventure
L to R: Brad KC1JMH, Tim KB1HNZ, Rory KB1PLY, Jason W1SFS, and Eric N1RXR
The 2020 ILLW setup
The portable ops with Owls Head Light in the background
|
Joe W1SK stops by
Rory's homebrew antenna
The fog begins to clear
Rory's Icom IC7000 with "sunscreen"
Jason, Brad, and Eric all busy
Up close look at the lighthouse
|
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