Celebrate America’s 250th at one of Ohio’s historic lighthouses!
Join SARA for International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW) on Saturday, August 15, 2026!
We’ll be operating under the special event callsign W8L from one of Ohio’s most historic lighthouse locations while a second SARA team activates the nearby Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light on Lake Erie, which will also count as a POTA activation!
Whether you’re an experienced amateur radio operator, newly licensed, or simply curious about the hobby, stop by and say hello! This is a relaxed, family-friendly event, and everyone is welcome.
Event Information
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Main Operating Location
Fairport Harbor Marine Museum & Lighthouse
(Grand River Lighthouse)
129 2nd St.
Fairport Harbor, OH 44077
We’ll have an HF station operating from the museum grounds, making contacts with amateur radio operators across North America and around the world while attempting to work as many participating lighthouse stations as possible.
While you’re there, be sure to explore the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum & Lighthouse, which will be open from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. It’s one of Lake Erie’s most iconic historic landmarks and well worth the visit.
Parking
A large public parking lot is located just north of the lighthouse (in orange below) near the beach. Parking is expected to cost $3, and it’s only about a 400-foot walk back to the lighthouse (in yellow below).
Parking Map:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uckayuWgyaehTdMX7
Second Lighthouse Activation
Early in the day, at about 7am, a second SARA team will activate the:
Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light
9601 Headlands Rd.
Mentor, OH 44060
The team will meet at the eastern-most section of the Headlands Beach parking lot before making the approximately ¼-mile hike towards the lighthouse.
This activation will count as both an International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend activation and a 2’fer POTA activation. We’ll be within both US-1957: Headlands Beach State Park and US-9412: Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve.
Parking Map:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cyg5jNYpSZyC5KHD8
Coordinates:
41.75927185777596, -81.28487532567425
If you’re interested in joining the hike to the breakwater lighthouse, please contact Josh (W8HRF) at ke8vka@gmail.com so we can coordinate the group.
Food
Lunch: We’ll be serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and assorted snacks, with lunch planned for shortly after 12:00 PM at the main operating location at the museum.
Dinner: Some of us will going to dinner at one of the local restaurants (to be determined) after the event!
Operating
We’ll be operating throughout the day using the special event callsign:
W8L
Operators of all experience levels are encouraged to get on the air. If you’ve never operated HF before, one of our experienced operators will gladly help you make your first contact.
Planned operating modes:
- 40 through 6 meters
- SSB
- FT8
We’ll also post our operating frequencies throughout the day on DXSummit.fi and other amateur radio spotting networks like the pota.app website. Put W8L in your HamAlert app on your phone!
Special Event QSL Card
Can’t make it to the event?
Listen for W8L on the air and make a contact with us!
Everyone who works W8L will be eligible to request our commemorative America 250 – 2026 International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend QSL card.
Come Join Us!
Whether you come for part or all of the day, we’d love to have you stop by.
- Tour the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum & Lighthouse.
- Operate the HF station.
- Eat some lunch.
- Enjoy a fun, relaxed day celebrating America’s 250th, Ohio’s lighthouse history, and amateur radio.
This event also serves as a great warm-up for the Ohio QSO Party, which we’ll be participating in the following Saturday from Portage Lakes State Park.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, August 15!