Digest>Archives> Jan/Feb 2014

Amateur Radio Operators Broadcast from Mississippi Miracle

Comments?    


You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Photo by: April Havens

Amateur radio operators from Mississippi’s Jackson County Amateur Radio Association set up at the Round Island Lighthouse this past October 17th for a 72-hour reactivation process to broadcast the official rededication of the new location of the rebuilt lighthouse that had been virtually demolished by a hurricane on September 27, 1998.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Photo by: April Havens

As previously reported in Lighthouse Digest, the fact that the base of the lighthouse was moved and that the lighthouse was rebuilt from the bricks of the ruined structure is definitely a “Mississippi Miracle” that was accomplished by the tenacity of local citizens who were willing to see this project through.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Photo by: April Havens

The gathering of radio operators, who were set up underneath a tent for broadcasting, was part of a weekend-long event that included an outdoor concert that was sponsored by the City of Pascagoula to raise money for the completion of the restoration of the 1850s tower.

You can see an enlarged version of this picture by clicking here.
>> Click to enlarge <<
Photo by: April Havens

Within minutes after broadcasting that the radio operators were set up for day and night nonstop broadcasting for 72 hours at Round Island Lighthouse with the lighthouse’s number USA 711, they had their first responses from other radio operators in New Jersey, Ohio, California, Iowa, Kansas, Indiana, and Connecticut. Before long, they had also had heard from radio operators from all over the world.

However, their primary goal was also to reach radio operators who might be set up at other lighthouses around the world. After contact was made, then the other radio operators would send a post card to the Jackson County Group, and they in turn, would respond with a confirmation. (Photos by April Havens, GulfLive.com.)

This story appeared in the Jan/Feb 2014 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

All contents copyright © 1995-2024 by Lighthouse Digest®, Inc. No story, photograph, or any other item on this website may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Lighthouse Digest. For contact information, click here.


Subscribe
to Lighthouse Digest



USLHS Marker Fund


Lighthouse History
Research Institute


Shop Online












Subscribe   Contact Us   About Us   Copyright Foghorn Publishing, 1994- 2024   Lighthouse Facts     Lighthouse History