RADIOS AT PATOS
We all expect a lighthouse to have a beacon as a navigational aid for maritime pilots at sea. Most also have a foghorn (aka fog signal) sounding to warn vehicles of navigational hazards such as rocky coastlines.
Beginning in 1921, radiobeacons were added in many locations to help ships determine their location when beyond visual range or when weather interfered. The beacon automatically broadcasted a signal with letters in Morse code to identify the site. The signal was detected by a specialized receiver on the ship. Rotating the receiving antenna on the ship indicated direction to the beacon. By plotting signals from two or more beacons on a map the mariner could figure out their location.
GPS technology now provides much more accurate location information most anywhere in the world. Most radiobeacons are no longer in service.
A radiobeacon was established on Patos in 1936. It was identified by the letter “K,” _ . _ in Morse code. The antenna was a wire held up by wooden pylons seen in old photos. You can still see the concrete foundations that held up the pylons.
Amateur radio (ham) operators enjoy talking to people around the world from their personal radio stations. To make it interesting, some hams like to set up portable stations away from home, such as on islands, on mountain summits, and in parks.
A popular "radio sport” is collecting radio contacts with countries, states, or counties. Some operators do the same with islands, parks, and even lighthouses. There are about 1200 island groups recognized world-wide and almost 10,000 parks in the US.
The Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) was formed in 2000, devoted to maritime communications, amateur radio, lighthouses, and lightships. Its members travel to lighthouses around the world where they operate amateur radio equipment at or near the light. Collecting lighthouse connections is popular for some amateur radio operators. There are 15,525 lighthouses around the world in 234 amateur radio areas.
There are two major annual lighthouse events: National Lighthouse-Lightship Weekend (NLLW) from August 6 to 7; and International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend (ILLW) from August 21 to 22. Ham operators from the San Juan County Amateur Radio Society will set up radios on Patos on those two weekends. One of our objectives is to give hams the opportunity to contact Patos.
