Lighthouses on the Air

This weekend, being the third one in August, is the 'Lighthouses on the Air' Amateur Radio weekend. Now, Rob and I are both qualified Radio Amateurs (HAMS), so for us this is interesting, especially as we live close to a lighthouse!! (South Africa has 45 lighthouses around its rocky coastline). Cape Columbine lighthouse is situated just south of Paternoster and was built in 1936. It is a lovely square art deco tower, painted white, with a red lantern dome and is one of the last stations on the West Coast to have a resident keeper. It was named after the barque 'Columbine', wrecked in 1829. We see the light sweeping round at night, and on a misty day we hear the foghorn moo-ing through the gloom.


Cape Columbine - by Steve Crane

World Lighthouses On The Air started in Scotland in 1995, and 85 countries have been represented since it began. The objective is to create an awareness of lighthouses and lightships, to promote Amateur Radio and to foster international goodwill. Radio clubs from around the country set up mobile radio stations at lighthouses for the duration of the event. The idea is to try to contact as many other lighthouses, as well as HAMS around the world, as possible during the 48 hours (0001 UCT Saturday to 2359 UCT Sunday) that the event runs.

Rob and I went to Cape Columbine to meet the club members from Adventure Radio Club from Cape Town two years ago and stayed a while to watch. It is a very social and sociable weekend with braais (barbeques), beers and lots of chat both on and off the radios. Columbine is lucky enough to have a few houses that can be hired by visitors, but usually the operators take it in turns to catch a little sleep in a sleeping bag in a tent, or the back of a car! Being in the wind, a tent is usually not the first (or smart) choice!

Rob has been looking up the lighthouses that will be on the air this weekend. There are 449 from 51 countries, with 17 from South Africa, including Cape Columbine. For any HAMS that maybe reading this, try to contact Columbine on the 40 mtr band by calling ZS1 ARC.

Sadly though, interest in amateur radio is declining slowly and I wonder how many more years we shall hear "CQ, CQ, CQ, this is lighthouses on the air calling and standing by.........." from Cape Columbine.

Danger Point Lighthouse

The light that sends the beam at Danger Point