Lighthouses - GONZALES

Julie and Joe Gonzales
Julie and Joe Gonzales
Julie and Joe Gonzales
Julie and Joe Gonzales
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Lighthouses
This page details our Amateur Radio activation of historic lighthouses for the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend.

Activating the Queenscliff White Lighthouse, August 2014
Purpose
The annual International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend is an Amateur Radio community event supporting lighthouses and lightships via the world-wide resources of Amateur Radio. The purpose of this event is to recognize the maritime and historical significance of lighthouses and lightships and, as always, to foster international good will. Lighthouses are fast becoming an endangered species with the introduction of satellite navigation. Most lighthouses today are fully automated and unattended, many are in a state of decline. It is hoped this event will highlight the importance of lighthouses and help preserve these magnificent structures for future generations.
Format
A small, self-contained, licenced Amateur Radio station will be set up in the vicinity of the lighthouse. The well-presented station will consist of a single Nissan X-Trail vehicle with roof-mounted solar panels and a side awning for two operators. The station will have its own multiband shortwave antenna some 40m long and 8m high. Amateur Radio stations from all over the world will call in to the lighthouse station during this annual event. They will each receive a "QSL" card identifying their two-way contact with the lighthouse station. The general public may watch and participate too by contacting other lighthouses if they wish. This popular event, including the lighthouse name and its location, is advertised locally and internationally over Amateur Radio web sites and news bulletins. Local Amateur Radio operators will be encouraged to visit the lighthouse station. The operations will also showcase the capability and fun of portable Amateur Radio communications.
Public Relations
Members of the public will be greeted and introduced to Amateur Radio through well-prepared presentations, displays, discussions, demonstrations, literature and hands-on activities. Interested individuals will be encouraged to pick up a microphone or a hand-held radio to chat with a participating Amateur Radio station. The children can play with a Morse code practice set. A visitor's book will be provided to record comments and request follow-up information. A list of Amateur Radio's most Frequently Asked Questions will be sure to inform and amuse.
Operations
The station will be operated simultaneously on the 80, 40 and 20 metre bands by Joe VK3YSP and on 80 and 40 metres by Julie VK3FOWL. The station will participate with others on a VHF/UHF repeater during a call back after the local Wireless Institute of Australia news broadcast on Sunday morning. In addition there will be a fascinating demonstration of Weak Signal Digital Communications (JT65) on 14.076MHz in the afternoons.
Locations
2014: The Queenscliff White Lighthouse #AU0051. 2014/08/15/0800UTC-2014/17/08/0800UTC (i.e. Starting 6pm Eastern Australian Time on 15 August. Duration: 48 hours). In the reserve in front of the lighthouse off Hesse Lane carpark, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. The lighthouse was activated for the first time since 2002 by Julie and Joe with the kind permission of the Borough of Queenscliffe. Altogether, 33 lighthouses in Australia and New Zealand were contacted (see list below). Site works included litter collection and repair of a security sign. Permit to Erect a Booth or Stall. Permit #574, Dated 20 March 2014.

2015: The Queenscliff White Lighthouse #AU0051. In the reserve in front of the lighthouse off Hesse Lane carpark, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. Altogether, 30 lighthouses in Australia and New Zealand were contacted (see list below).

2022: The Queenscliff White Lighthouse #AU0051. In the reserve in front of the lighthouse off Hesse Lane carpark, Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia. Altogether, 21 lighthouses in Australia were contacted (see list below).
Radio Station 2014/2015
  • The station operates on the High Frequency (HF), Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands
  • It can transmit and receive voice and digital modes including messages and images
  • The station is environmentally friendly, being powered entirely by the sun
  • As a normal safety precaution a ground stake, lightening arrestor, earth cables, caution tape and signs are installed
  • Single Side Band (SSB) modulation is used for all HF transmissions
  • Frequency Modulation (FM) is used for all VHF/UHF transmissions
  • The HF antenna is a tri-band fan dipole, suspended between two 8.5m telescopic guyed aluminium masts
  • An HF tri-plexer is used to share the HF antenna simultaneously between three HF transceivers
  • The HF transceivers are a Barrett 2050 (125W), an ICOM IC-7200 (100W) and an Elecraft KX3 (10W)
  • The VHF/UHF antenna is a vehicle-mounted dual band whip
  • The VHF/UHF transceiver is a Yaesu FT-7900
  • The solar power system includes two 200W vehicle-mounted solar panels and two 120AH SLA batteries
  • The DC distribution system includes a Low Voltage Disconnect, PWM Charge Controller and a DC Booster
  • The system for digital modes includes a laptop computer and DC power adapter
Radio Station 2022
  • The station consists of an antenna, transceiver and battery as follows:
    • A 40m Inverted Vee dipole antenna at 12m supported by a carbon fibre telescopic mast
    • A Codan NGT 100W HF radio transceiver
    • A 12V 100aH LiFePo4 battery
  • The station operates on the 40m High Frequency (HF) Amateur Radio band on 7105KHz Lower Sideband


Inverted Vee antenna and 12m Mast

Julie operating the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weeekend
Lighthouse QSO List 2022
  • MV CAPE DON, (EX LIGHTHOUSE SUPPLY SHIP) AU0023
  • CLARENCE HEAD LIGHTHOUSE AU0013
  • SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE AU0054
  • WARDEN HEAD LIGHTHOUSE AU0035
  • CROOKHAVEN HEADS LIGHTHOUSE AU0047
  • HORNBY LIGHTHOUSE AU0041
  • SMOKY CAPE LIGHTHOUSE AU0031
  • SYGARLOAF POINT LIGHTHOUSE AU0033
  • LADY BAY UPPER & LOWER LIGHTHOUSE AU0049
  • LADY BAY UPPER & LOWER LIGHTHOUSE AU0096
  • CAPE LIPTRAP LIGHTHOUSE AU0037
  • CAPE NELSON LIGHTHOUSE AU0055
  • CAPE SCHANCK LIGHTHOUSE AU0012
  • SPLIT POINT LIGHTHOUSE AU0032
  • QUEENSCLIFFE WHITE LIGHTHOUSE AU0051
  • WHALERS BLUFF LIGHTHOUSE AU0117
  • QUEENSCLIFFE WHITE LIGHTHOUSE AU0051
  • POIMT MALCOLM LIGHTHOUSE AU0029
  • CAPE JERVIS LIGHTHOUSE AU0094
  • PORT ADELAIDE, SOUTH NEPTUNE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE AU0107
  • LOW HEAD LIGHTHOUSE AU0048
Lighthouse QSO List 2015
  • CAPE   BYRON LIGHTHOUSE, NSW  AU0006
  • CAPE   JAFFA LIGHTHOUSE, SA AU0007
  • CAPE   LEEUWIN LIGHTHOUSE, WA AU0008
  • CAPE   OTWAY LIGHT STATION, VIC AU0011
  • CLEVELAND   POINT LIGHTHOUSE, QLD AU0014
  • GRASSY   HILL LIGHTHOUSE, QLD AU0019
  • MACQUARIE LIGHTHOUSE,   NSW AU0022
  • POINT   HICKS LIGHTHOUSE, VIC AU0027
  • POINT   LONSDALE (NEW) LIGHTHOUSE, VIC AU0028
  • POINT   MALCOLM LIGHTHOUSE, SA AU0029
  • SPLIT   POINT LIGHTHOUSE, VIC AU0032
  • SUGARLOAF   POINT LIGHTHOUSE, NSW AU0033
  • TACKING   POINT LIGHTHOUSE, NSW AU0034
  • WARDEN   HEAD LIGHTHOUSE, NSW AU0035
  • POINT   GELLIBRAND LIGHTHOUSE, VIC AU0036
  • CAPE   LIPTRAP, VIC LIGHTHOUSE, VIC AU0037
  • TABLE   CAPE LIGHTHOUSE, TAS AU0039
  • BARRENJOEY   HEAD LIGHTHOUSE, NSW AU0046
  • CROOKHAVEN   HEADS LIGHTHOUSE, NSW AU0047
  • LOW   HEAD LIGHTHOUSE, TAS AU0048
  • QUEENSCLIFF   HIGH LIGHTHOUSE, VIC AU0050
  • PORT   MELBOURNE CHANNEL LIGHTHOUSE, VIC AU0079
  • CAPE   JERVIS LIGHTHOUSE, SA AU0094
  • TROUBRIDGE   HILL LIGHTHOUSE, SA AU0105
  • CAPE   TOURVILLE LIGHTHOUSE, TAS AU0119
  • CAPE   BANKS LIGHTHOUSE, SA AU0121
  • CAPE   NORTHUMBERLAND LIGHTHOUSE, SA AU0122
  • CAPE   DU COUEDIC LIGHTHOUSE , SA AU0126
  • MANUKA HEADS LIGHTHOUSE, NZ002
  • PIHA LIGHTHOUSE, NZ006
Lighthouse QSO List 2014
  • BEAN ROCK LIGHTHOUSE NZ0011
  • CAPE EGMONT LIGHTHOUSE NZ0003
  • CAPE FOULWIND LIGHTHOUSE NZ0023
  • CAPE JAFFA LIGHTHOUSE AU0007
  • CAPE JERVIS LIGHTHOUSE AU0094
  • CAPE LEEUWIN LIGHTHOUSE AU0008
  • CAPE LIPTRAP LIGHTHOUSE AU0037
  • CAPE MAXWELL LIGHTHOUSE AU0010
  • CAPE OTWAY LIGHTSTATION AU0011
  • CAPE SCHANCK LIGHTHOUSE AU0012
  • CAVE POINT LIGHTHOUSE AU0116
  • CITADEL ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE AU0110
  • CLEVELAND POINT LIGHTHOUSE AU0014
  • CURRIE LIGHTHOUSE AU0016 IOTA OC-233
  • GRASSY HILL LIGHTHOUSE AU0119
  • KARORI ROCK LIGHTHOUSE NZ0017
  • LADY BAY LIGHTHOUSE AU0049/96
  • LOW HEAD LIGHTHOUSE AU0048
  • MACQUARIE LIGHTHOUSE AU0022
  • MCCRAE LIGHTHOUSE AU0017
  • MERSEY BLUFF MARITIME MUSEUM AU0040
  • PIHA LIGHTHOUSE NZ0006
  • POINT HENRY SIGNAL STATION AU0084
  • POINT HICKS LIGHTHOUSE AU0027
  • POINT LONSDALE LIGHTHOUSE AU0028
  • POINT LOWLY LIGHTHOUSE AU0021
  • POINT MALCOLM LIGHTHOUSE AU0029
  • ROCKY CAPE LIGHTHOUSE AU0066
  • ROUND HILL POINT LIGHTHOUSE AU0111
  • SUGARLOAF POINT LIGHTHOUSE AU0033
  • TABLE CAPE LIGHTHOUSE AU0039
  • WARDEN HEAD LIGHTHOUSE AU0035
  • WILLIAMSTOWN TIME BALL TOWER AU0036
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