OPERATION IN non-ARLHS -SPONSORED EVENTS

Here is a quote from our official policy:

-----------------------------------------
"Although the ARLHS grants awards and recognizes 'visual' lighthouse/lightship operation, this does NOT mean that other awards or organizations and events must adhere to the same criteria; specifically, our recognition for 'line of sight' operation does not necessarily suggest or confer recognition for, say, ILLW operation. The ARLHS is NOT the originator nor the 'rules' authority for that event."

As of 1 May 2001, the ARLHS "official events" are "Spring Lites QSO Party" (in spring, March-April), "NLLW -- National Lighthouse-Lightship Weekend" (first weekend in August), and "Christmas Lights QSO Party" (December-January)." For these events, our rules are the determining criteria.

However, when participating in NON-ARLHS events, such as the ILLW, operators should abide by the criteria set down by the organizing body for those speciific events. Thus, though the ARLHS may grant an award for ILLW participation, the ILLW organization may not. Just be sure to cite your ARLHS member number and/or ARLHS lighthouse number in your QSOs."

***** NOTE 1: Since the ILLW is NOT really an organization and the ILLW event is NOT a contest and they do NOT grant awards, the whole matter is immaterial -- it makes no difference whether their organizers recognize an operation or not. If your operation meets our standards, we still grant the awards and recognize it as valid.

***** NOTE 2: ANYONE can operate in ANY event, whether ILLW or not, and still qualify for ARLHS contacts and awards. We encourage all hams interested in lighthouse events to participate in ALL events and submit their logs to us for any claimed certificates and awards. If these submissions meet our guidelines, we will issue the award.

***** NOTE 3: When operating in events sponsored by other countries, it goes without saying that USA operators must nevertheless adhere to USA and FCC laws and regulations. This is particularly true with regard to frequencies and bands of operation, where the European amateur bands do not coincide with those allocated in the USA to amateurs. You must follow USA regulations!

REV. Feb 14, 2004