The purposes of the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) are to promote public awareness of both ham radio and lighthouses, preserving lights that are in danger of extinction, and paying tribute to the role that hams and lighthouse keepers have played in contributing to maritime safety. A complete statement of our purposes can be found on the society’s Welcome Page.
We organize the following three annual events:
- The Spring Lites QSO Party (SLQP), generally held in April
- The National Lighthouse-Lightship Weekend (NLLW) QSO Party, in early August
- Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party (LCLQP), end of December into January.
In addition to the above, members take various excursions or expeditions, sometimes with little advance notice, to lighthouses, and they activate the lights for a day or more. These events are usually posted on our “BeaconBot,” an automated e-mail reflector, which you can join free by signing up on Page 6 of our web site.
Next, we offer an extensive awards program (WAS-LH, WAC-LH, DXCC-LH, etc.). Details can be found at Page 9 of the web site, and a book of awards, rules, and application forms is available for download in PDF format.
Very important is our ARLHS World List of Lights. You should check this list to obtain the official ARLHS number of the lighthouses you work. We update this list every day, and it has become the de facto standard for all known light beacons in the world. When you cite the number on your QSLs or in correspondence, be sure to give the complete number, which includes the letters “ARLHS” in the prefix; for example, cite ARLHS USA-045 and not just USA-045 or 045. Since there are several other numbering systems being used by others, this helps make it clear which system you are using.
If you join the society, you will have access to the complete database of members around the world, along with their mailing addresses for QSLs etc. E-mail addresses are not made public (to avoid spamming), but are available for most members upon request to club officials.
Upon joining, you will be assigned a unique member number that is yours for life. Once given to you, it will never be reassigned to others, even if you choose not to renew your membership. It is used in various events to exchange with others for awards, etc.
The ARLHS club station call is KC2HOU and the ARLHS newsletter is called The ARLHS Lighthouse Lens.
Your membership grants you reproduction rights to the official ARLHS logo and acronym. You may use it on stationery, envelopes, or QSL cards as long as you are an active member of the Society.
Each year the ARLHS holds its annual convention. In the past this has been at St Simons Light in Georgia. This year (2004) it will be on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and in future years we expect to move around the country. Perhaps the Great Lakes in 2005. It’s one or two days of LH operating, demos, food, and drink. A fun time for all (spouses are invited) and one that has grown from a handful of members the first year to over 100 or more.
So How do I Join?
Current memberships require the first year’s dues of $15.00. You may send cash (not advised), a USA check drawn on a USA bank in US dollars, an American Express Traveler’s Check, or a money order. You can also subscribe online by using the PayPal internet payment service. Or, you can request that an application form be mailed to you.
Click on the CONTINUE link below to choose one of these three application options.
Once you have signed up, your application will be confirmed by e-mail and you will be sent by postal mail a membership kit that includes your member number, a certificate, a full-color embroidered shoulder patch of the Society’s logo (suitable for caps too), and various other “goodies.”
Renewals
Yearly renewals are only $15.00. Renewals can be accomplished online using PayPal or by sending renewal request directly to ARLHS, LLC Headquarters, 7317 Ridgedale Drive, Warrenton, VA 20186. Enclose check drawn on a USA bank or a money order (such as American Express). Be sure to give your member number with all renewals.