Amelia Island Lighthouse

The Florida DXPedition Group operated from the Amelia Island Lighthouse in conjunction with the International Lighthouse Weekend. Operations were conducted from 0001Z UTC Aug 19th to 2359Z Aug 20th, 2000. More information about the International Lighthouse Weekend can be found at http://www.waterw.com/~weidner/ld.htm. Club members operated SSB & CW during the event. Please read on below from some history and pictures of the Amelia Island Lighthouse.
Callsign for the weekend's operation was W4DXP.

Club operators: Bill W4WX, Clarence W9AAZ, Gary K4GZ, Scott AE4FY, William N2WB, Larry W1LR and Vance N5VL.

QSL via N5VL (bureau or direct) for this event. Please include a SASE or sufficient funds for postage if you QSL direct !!

Amelia Island Lighthouse History

This light sits about 2 miles from the north end of Amelia Island, on
the south side of the entrance to the St. Marys River, the border
between Georgia and Florida, near Fernandina Beach, Amelia
Island's main town. It is situated more inland and on higher ground
than most Florida lighthouses. The 64-foot tower stands 107 feet
above sea level. This lighthouse was first built on the southern tip of
Georgia's Cumberland Island in 1819-20 and was 50 feet tall. In
1838 it was dismantled and moved to Amelia Island and
reassembled in 1839 when most reports say it was increased to its
present 64 feet. The light was electrified in 1935. Still active, the
lighthouse is now automated.

Amelia Island was named in 1735 in honor of Princess Amelia,
sister of King George II of Great Britain.  The light house was built
in 1838 using materials salvaged from the discontinued Cumberland
Island Lighthouse (built 1820, about three miles north in Georgia).
The 50 foot tall brick lighthouse cost $17,000.  It was located on a
high hill and contained 14 lamps with 14-inch reflectors in a
revolving lens.  By 1848 the size of the reflectors was increased
to 15 inches.  A third order Fresnel lens was installed in the 
lighthouse in 1856.  The lighthouse was extinguished during the
Civil War, but was relit soon after.  A new cupola was added to the
lighthouse in 1881, raising the height of the tower to 58 feet.
A red sector was added to the light in the 1920's and electrified
in the 1930's.  The light station was automated in 1956, but it's
dwelling continued to be used as housing for Coast Guard personnel.

This Mini Dxpedition was a resounding success in our opinion. It proves that you do not have to travel thousands of miles to some far corner of the globe to have fun with ham radio. Amelia Island was a one hour drive from our homes. and we enjoyed it as much as if we had gone to some really rare and exotic location. A pileup is a pileup no matter where it is !.