International Events

INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE/LIGHTSHIP WEEKEND

http://illw.net

The International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend (ILLW) came into being in 1997 from the Scottish Northern Lighthouses award[1] weekend by Mike Dalrymple, GM4SUC, a member of the Ayr Amateur Radio Group, Scotland. See also this web site[2] for further history and this page[3] for the event's first web site. Over the years it has grown to over 380 lighthouses in some 51 countries around the world participating in the event.

The event is always held on the 3rd full weekend in August starting at 0001 UTC on Saturday and finishing at 2359 UTC on Sunday. It also now coincides on the Sunday with the International Lighthouse Day[4] which is an event organized by the International Association of Lighthouse Keepers whereby many world lighthouses are be open to the public for the day.

Guidelines for the event, an on line entry form and list of entrants can all be found on the official web site at http://illw.net

This event is NOT a contest but an opportunity to chat with other lighthouse activators around the world in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere with the objective of fostering international goodwill and at the same time publicizing the plight of our wonderful lighthouses. It is fast becoming the major event on the amateur radio calendar and those who participate for the first time nearly always return the following year.

So why not come and join in the fun. Registration is not essential but it does help to let other entrants and interested parties know who is taking part and what their details are.

See you in August.

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LINKS

ILLW forum: [5]

Ayr Amateur Radio Group: [6]

ILLW Yahoo email discussion group: [7]

ILLW Lighthouse Numbers List: [8]

Jamboree on the Air - JOTA

The JOTA is an annual event in which Scouts and Guides all over the world speak to each other by means of amateur radio contacts. Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared, via the radio waves.

Since 1958 when the first jamboree-on-the-Air was held, thousands of Scouts and Guides have "met" each other through this event. Not only is it fun to talk to Scouts from other parts of the world but it provides also a chance to find out about other countries and about Scouting elsewhere. Many contacts made during the JOTA have resulted in penpals and links between scout troops that have lasted for many years.

With no restrictions on age, on the number that can participate and at little or no expense, the JOTA provides an opportunity for Scouts and Guides to contact each other by amateur radio. The radio stations are operated by licensed amateur radio operators. Many Scouts and leaders hold licences and have their own stations, but the majority participates in the JOTA through stations operated by local radio clubs and individual radio amateurs. Today some operators even use television or computer linked communications.

Date and duration of JOTA

The world--wide Jamboree-On-The-Air is organized to coincide with the third full weekend of October each year. The event starts at 00.00 hours local time on the Saturday and concludes 48 hours later at 24.00 hours local time on the Sunday. Each station can choose its own operating hours within this period.

Operating Rules

There are some basic rules that should be followed:

• All radio operators must operate their stations strictly in accordance with their national licensing regulations;
• Stations should call "CQ Jamboree" or answer scout stations calling to establish a contact;

Any authorized frequency may be used.

• It is recommended that stations use the agreed World Scout Frequencies
• The JOTA is not a contest. The idea is not to contact as many stations as possible during the weekend. · All participating groups are asked to send a report of their activities to their National JOTA Organizer (NJO) after the event.
• NJO's are requested to send a National JOTA Report to the World Scout Bureau, for inclusion in the World JOTA Report.

Links

• Scout Radio Yahoo group. For general discussion andf promotion of JOTA and other Scout Radio activities.
• Radio Scouting UK. Uk focus but all welcome.
• Radio AlertFor those interested in finding out when changes have been made to the JOTA website.
• Scouting HamsFor Hams who are involved in Radio Scouting or who wish to become involved in it.