Application Method #1
This is the fastest method. You may apply automatically online from
page 4.
This will take you to the "PayPal"
app1ication site, which accepts payments by encrypted and secured credit card. PayPal issues you
an immediate
receipt and we are notified of your application and payment. Usually within 24 hours we will send
you an e-mail
with a member number and logo authorization, which you can begin using immediately. A membership
kit containing
your membership certificate, T-shirt decal, and other items will follow within a week.
PayPal is the widely recognized and accepted payment facility supported and endorsed by both
Mastercard and Visa.
It's quick and easy to sign up for their service, and your registration will be recognized by
other web sites for payments
and purchases, such as the Chesapeake Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society. You can
submit your payment
with the full assurance of privacy and security.
Application Method #2
Although it takes a little longer than using the online application method, you might prefer
printing out an application
form that you can mail in. If this is true,
please click here.
Application Method #3
If you would like to receive a brochure of more information about the ARLHS, as well as an
application form that you
can complete and submit via mail with your personal check (in USA funds on a USA bank, please),
send a #10
business-size SASE to the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society, P0 Box 2178, Cinnaminson, NJ O8O77
USA.
#2. What is a "light" or "lighthouse"?
How does the ARLHS define a lighthouse?
The ARLHS maintains a list of the world's lights and assigns each an ARLHS number.
This number is used by hams to
identify the light in our various on-the-air lighthouse events and for awards and certificates.
In case you are wondering what we deem to be a 1ight, here is a brief definition as we interpret it:
Definition of a light -- Any lighted nautical aid to navigation that appears or has appeared in
an "official" government
or Coast Guard "1ist of Lights" and from which a ham station could be operated if physically
placed on the structure
with the operator at the contro1s on the structure (thus disallowing remote control). For those
not listed or those in
countries whose governments do not provide such a list, we define a light as "any light or
beacon meeting these
criteria. According to these specifications, this would rule out such things as lighted
channel buoys.
This link will take you to the opening page of the ARLHS Numbered List of Lights, and from
there you can go to various countries to see what lights are listed.
#3. What is meant by "activating" a light?
How do I activate one?
For awards, contests, end special events, we are often asked what constitutes "activating a
light."' It is preferab1e,
of course, that a station be set up on the physica1 premises of a lighthouse or lightship.
This is often possib1e with
1ights that have been removed frorn the Coast Guard's "active light" 1ist. Many of these are
located in public parks
and so are readily available. Many ops park their vehicle in the parking lot and work from
there. Others have set up
on a nearby picnic table. It is always wise, of course, to let the perk ranger know of your
intentions first -~ just in
case there should be any officia1 objection. Most authorities are fascinated with the prospect
of a 1ighthouse radio
station and really go out of their way to accommodate end assist the ham. As long as you are
within visua1 sight of
the light and are operating legally, you have "activated" that light.
Many lights are owned by private individuals or organizations. In these cases it is imperative
that you obtain
permission (preferab1y written) from the proper authority, Since many organizations have taken
over the preservation
of an old 1ight, they are often eager for the publicity and for a chance to "lure" the public
to the light for fundraising.
A ham station adds to the attraction, and so organizations are often very cooperative in
granting permission to operate
from the light or the property itself. Even if permission is not obtainable, that light can
still be activated as described
above, as long as you are 1ocated within visual sight of that light, even though not actually
on its property.
In the case of light that is still in active duty, it is a rare instance when the Coast Guard
will give permission to board
such a light. It is usually up to the commandant of the district but in our experience, unless
he/she is familiar with ham
radio, you are usua1ly treated (courteously) as a member of the general public and are denied
access. Even in cases
where access is granted (and there have been some instances where this has happened), the ham
group is often asked
to post a bond or have insurance, and the cost of that is sometimes a deterrent. However, as
in the situations described
earlier, it is not necessary to set foot on the light or property. You can operate anywhere
within the visual range of the
light and still be considered "legit" In the case of lights on pilings in the bay, for example,
we very often anchor our
boat safe1y nearby and "activate" the light while operating marine mobile. Under NO
circumstances you ever
board government property even "just to look around" without the expressed written permission
of the appropriate
authority.
So, while physical presence on a light's property is certainly desirable, it is not mandatory;
and any station within the
visual area served by the light's beacon is considered, for our purposes, as "activating" a
light.
Click here to continue. More FAQ's follow.
REV. July 7, 2001