International Lighthouse-Lightship Weekend

International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend (ILLW) is on Saturday, August 19, and Sunday, August 20, 2023.

In County Clare, Ireland, the Limerick Clare Radio Club, EI4LCR, will celebrate the 26th annual event by operating non-stop for 48 hours from the Loop Head West Clare lighthouse. The club will be using CW and SSB to contact lighthouses and lightships throughout the world.

Limerick Clare Radio Club Secretary Joe Ryan, EI9HG, said “A special QSL card has been designed to mark the event. The club will operate two stations, one of which will be at the entrance to the lighthouse, so members of the public can listen to some of the transmissions.”

During this weekend’s activation, lighthouse visitors will be able to listen to communications between some of the 500 lighthouses and lightships in over 40 countries that will be activated by amateur radio operators. The ILLW website has a complete list of rules, guidelines, and frequencies for the event.

ILLW began in 1998 as the Scottish Northern Lights Award run by the Ayr Amateur Radio Group. The annual event takes place on the third full weekend in August.