International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend Amateur Radio Event

Description

The International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend (ILLW) is an annual amateur radio event held on the third full weekend in August. It involves amateur radio operators setting up portable stations at lighthouses and lightships worldwide to make radio contacts.

The event originated in 1998 and has grown to include over 500 lighthouse entries from more than 40 countries. It is a non-competitive, free event focused on promoting maritime heritage and amateur radio activity.

Participants typically include amateur radio enthusiasts, lighthouse managers, and maritime heritage organizations. The event encourages public engagement by opening lighthouses and related visitor centers during the weekend.

ILLW is recognized for its informal structure, lack of contest rules, and its role in raising awareness of lighthouses and navigational aids globally. The website provides guidelines, entrant lists, reports, and historical information about the event.