May 13, 2013

Those intrepid hams in the Atlanta area lead by Ricky DeLuco, K4JTT are at it again with the fourth annual activation of an IOTA/Lighthouse (Islands On the Air) that rarely sees much ham radio activity. This year the team of eight hams, with a few openings available, will take their equipment, food, and all supplies to operate from the remote and little known about Sapelo Island, Georgia on September 11-14.

The operating team traveling on this event will be Ricky DeLuco, K4JTT, Tim Lemmon, WK4U, Joe Grimes, WD4FGB, James Rodgers, ND4U, Jim Studer, AK4I, Ron Gill, NV4U,  Richard Lutz, KD4SEV, Walter Mize, KI4LAV, and David Probst - N4VDL.

This is the 4^th activation of an IOTA/Lighthouse by the team from Atlanta.  The other three were Sapelo Island (GA) in 2010,  St. George Island (FL) in 2011 and Dauphin Island (AL) in 2012. According to Ricky K4JTT, “Our purpose in going is to activate a little known about IOTA/Lighthouse for other hams to contact it, have fun, give other hams a chance to get credit for a new Islands on the Air (IOTA) credit, have fun, test out our skills in setting up portable stations, have fun, and challenge our operating skills. Oh, did I mention it is to have fun?”

Sponsors for this year’s expedition includes the anchor sponsor Radiowavz Antennas and the Kennehoochee Amateur Radio Club, Marietta, Georgia.

A special call, K4S, has been assigned by the FCC for this activation.  The designators for this lighthouse are ARLHS USA738, USA1014 and IOTA NA-058.  Updated information can be found on QRZ.com and www.w4bti.org, or by contacting Ricky DeLuco, K4JTT at K4JTT@yahoo.com or call 770-833-2290.