International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend


August 21, 2004, 0001 UTC

Thru

August 22, 2004, 2359 UTC


NORTH HEAD LIGHTHOUSE, USA #553

ILWACO, WASHINGTON






Peninsula Hams Will Operate from the North Head Lighthouse in August

Peninsula hams are planning on temporarily converting the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park to a giant Amateur Radio station to support the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend starting on August 20. Over the past 6 years, this full weekend event has grown to over 350 lighthouses in some 45 countries around the world participating in the event. The lighthouse radio stations will try to contact as many radio amateurs worldwide as they can. 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. The public is invited to drop in and see ham radio in operation.

North Head Lighthouse (USA #553) will be activated for the first time under the call sign N7H during the 2004 International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. This event is organized by Jim Movius, KL7JM, and his brother, Dave Movius, W7KZO. The Pacific County Amateur Radio Club will participate and the Pacific Co. Department of Emergency Management amateur radio team (RACES) personnel will use this opportunity to fine-tune emergency communication skills. Radio operations will take place in the white concrete building located at the base of the lighthouse.

Several 440 ft antenna wires will be strung as “V” beams from the top of the lighthouse to fixed points to make an extremely effective antenna array.

Dave and Jim express their appreciation to Larry Chapman, Superintendent of Cape Disappointment State Park for his support and assistance in making this operation a reality. It's a wonderful opportunity to join with lighthouses around the world in commemorating their service to safety and navigation, and to acknowledge their place in history.

North Head is located just two miles north of the mouth of the Columbia River, southwest of Ilwaco, Washington. The lantern room is 65 feet from the ground and 194 feet above sea level. The first-order Fresnel lens, which came from Cape Disappointment Lighthouse located just two miles away, was lit for the first time on May 16, 1898.

This is one of the windiest places in the USA with winds frequently measured at over 100 mph, and the highest clocked wind of 126 mph occurring on January 20, 1921.

Amateur radio operations begin at 5PM on Friday, August 20 and last until 5PM Sunday, August 22. The public is welcome to attend this historic operating event and support our beautiful lighthouse. For more information contact Dave via email: w7kzo at arrl.net