ILLW on Track for 2020

Registrations for this year’s popular International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend, ILLW, have not been diminished by the global pandemic now known as Covid-19.

The dates for this year’s event have been moved to a week later than normal so as to keep 15th August 2020 clear for those wanting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific.

With some 5 weeks to go to 22nd August 2020, 222 entries have been received which, if past experience is any indicator, should result in around 400 by start time. No doubt most of the lockdowns and restrictions will still be in place so adherence to local rules and regulations must be observed.

Some cancellations are expected but the guidelines have been relaxed in some instances to enable participants to take place.

New to the event this year is Corsica at Phare d’Alistro which for our purposes carries the French number of FR0030. We also have two lighthouses from Ghana which is a new country as well. Buck Island Lighthouse in the US Virgin Islands is listed for the second year in succession being activated by KP2AD with the ILLW number VI0001.

Germany is well in the lead with 54 entries, followed by Australia with 29 entries and the USA with 27 entries. So far we have 30 countries listed which under the current circumstances is quite amazing.

A word of advice to some of the large DX groups that this event is a fun weekend designed to encourage exposure of amateur radio and lighthouses to the visiting public and also to enable portable stations to contact each other at lighthouses. Compiling a log full of brief contacts is not acceptable and not in the spirit of the event.

Please take care and observe your local Covid safe instructions during the event as we really want you all back next year. 22nd and 23rd August 2020 is the date for this year and 20th to 21st August 2021.

International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend - https://illw.net