Spring Lights QSO Party

The ARLHS Spring Lights QSO Party is on for 2026!!

Sponsor

The ARLHS Spring Lights QSO Party is sponsored by ARLHS, LLC.

Objective

To promote public awareness of ham radio and lighthouses; to contribute to the recognition that lighthouses, lightships, and their keepers deserve; to foster camaraderie within the ham fraternity; and to provide fellowship among the members of the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society.

Dates and Times

  • Begins: 0000Z 2 April, 2026
  • Concludes: 2400Z 9 April, 2026

Frequencies/Modes

160 meters and up, except no WARC band QSO’s permitted.

  • Any and all modes : SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK, FM, SSTV, etc.
  • Suggested SSB freqs: 1950-1990 kHz, 3950-3990 kHz, 7250-7290 kHz, 14.250-14.290 MHz, 21.350-21.390 MHz, 28.350-28.390 MHz (Suggest calling CQ in the middle of the these ranges +/- QRM)
  • Suggested CW center freqs: 1830 kHz, 3530 kHz, 7030 kHz, 14.030 MHz, 21.030 MHz, 28.030 MHz
    Note that these are center calling frequencies. Work 20 kHz each side of center.
  • NO CREDIT will be given for contacts made on WARC bands.
  • To alleviate QRM, spread out and work SSB from 50 kHz to 90 kHz and on CW work from 10 kHz to 50 kHz (i.e., +/- 20 kHz of center.)

Exchange

Exchange QSO “Optional Serial Number” and QTH where QTH is:

  • Lighthouse# for stations activating a light;
  • or US State;
  • or Canadian Province;
  • or “DX” for others.

Lighthouse Expedition Stations log QSO’s with their QTH set to the WLOL Lighthouse# they are activating.

Identify all QSO’s with band/mode, sequential QSO number sent/received and date/time of contact in UTC.

Please follow standard contest practices by making and responding to “CQ Spring Lights QSO Party” calls.

Multiple Transmitter stations may maintain sequential QSO numbers independently for each transmitter.

Suggested Modes / Calling Frequencies

  • Any and all modes that convey sufficient exchange details: SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK, FM, SSTV, etc.
  • Any and all bands including WARC
  • Suggested SSB freqs: 1950-1990, 3950-3990, 7250-7290, 14.250-14.290, 21.350-21.390, 28.350-28.390 – Calling on the centered 0.70 kHz on each band — Example: 14.270.
  • Suggested CW center freqs: 1830, 3530, 7030, 14.030, 21.030, 28.030 – Note that these are center calling frequencies. Work 20 kHz each side of center.
  • To alleviate QRM, spread out and work SSB from 50 kHz to 90 kHz and on CW work from 10 kHz to 50 kHz (i.e., +/- 20 kHz of center.)

Exchange

  • Lighthouse chasers (ARLHS members): exchange call sign, ARLHS member number, state/province/country
  • Lighthouse chasers (ARLHS non-members): exchange call sign, name, state/province/country
  • Lighthouse/Lightship Activators (anyone): exchange call sign, ARLHS lighthouse number, state/province/country

Add any other exchange details you deem necessary to confirm the QSL afterwards if seeking ARLHS member awards.