Radio operators contact lighthouses around the world

BERWICK — The second annual Lighthouse Ham Radio Day held Saturday in Berwick saw radio operators make contact with lighthouses as far away as Panama, while bringing awareness to Berwick’s Southwest Reef Lighthouse.
Ham radio operators from Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Club, or BEARS, participated in International Lighthouse Weekend with operators from around the world.
International Lighthouse Weekend originated in Australia with the intent of preserving and bringing awareness to lighthouses worldwide, Jackie Price of BEARS said.
BEARS members made a total of 34 contacts with other operators this weekend, Price said.
They made contact with six other lighthouses, with the farthest lighthouse contact in Panama and farthest overall contact in Malaysia, Price said. The contact in Malaysia was a man who BEARS members met several years ago, she said.
The main objective behind Saturday’s event in Berwick was “to get the Berwick lighthouse known throughout the world,” Price said.
Berwick’s Southwest Reef Lighthouse was added to the international lighthouse register and was featured Saturday.
Saturday’s event included ham radio demonstrations, Berwick Town Market vendors, a coloring contest for kids, St. Mary Parish Homeland Security representatives, and food and drinks. Berwick Mayor Pro-tem Jacki Ackel said the 12 town market vendors present did well during the event.
The ham radio day was well-attended, and the town of Berwick is proud to host the event because “it puts Berwick on an international map,” Ackel said.
“We certainly want to continue partnering with the local ham radio group to do this again each year,” Ackel said.

This story was written by Zachary Fitzgerald of The Daily Review. Reach him at zfitzgerald@daily-review.com.