Important Announcements

Important Announcements

Important Announcements

The Lightship Columbia (WLV-604)

In 1892 the first lightship station on the U.S. Pacific Coast was established to mark the approach to the hazardous Columbia River bar. WLV-604 is the last of four lightships to serve the station, 5.3 miles off the river’s mouth, and she spent her whole active career there. She was the last operational U.S. lightship on the West Coast.

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WLV-604 was launched by Rice Brothers at East Boothbay, Maine in 1950. She displaces 617 tons, measuring 128 x 30 feet, with a draft of 11 feet. She had a crew of 17 when in service. Aids to navigation include a 600,000 candle-power light visible for up to 13 miles away, diaphone fog horns of 5-mile range, and a radio beacon.

The ship first took station in 1951 and last left it on November 2, 1979, after being replaced by an automated buoy fitted with radio and radar beacons, as well as a light. The Coast Guard decommissioned WLV-604 on December 12, 1979.

Columbia River Maritime Museum

Founded in 1962, this private, non-profit museum is devoted to maritime history, emphasizing that of the Columbia River system and the Northwest coast. In 1982 it opened a new riverfront facility at 1792 Marine Drive in Astoria, Oregon. Exhibits cover small craft, marine engines, early exploration and fur trading in the Northwest, navigation and marine safety, fishing, shipbuilding, riverboats, sailing ships, steamships, and the U.S. Navy. Some highlights are a Coast Guard 39 foot motor lifeboat, the bridge of a Navy destroyer, superlative models, fascinating nautical instruments, and submarine periscopes mounted to provide a view over the river.

Sunset Empire Amateur Radio Club (SEARC)

Through an agreement with the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Sunset Amateur Radio Club activated the Lightship Columbia radio shack on May 11, 1982. The club callsign W7BU, was on the air at this time with Ed Aho, (NR7F) W7LY, as Trustee. The first antenna tuner used on the lightship was “Homebrew” designed by Phil Veek, WA7RXW. The first antenna used was a “cage antenna” and is still on the ship. The primary operators of the radio station for 28 years were Gene Brown, W7YCK, and Ed Aho, W7LY . Sadly, Gene passed away on June 9, 2010 after a long illness. We will miss our Silent Key.

The Lightship Columbia radio station has been quite active in various special events, and is now functioning during Field Day, as well, as the Maritime Museum has allowed W7BU/SEARC to use it's location as home base for our Field Days on a permanent basis.

The art of radio communication is closely associated with the history of radio navigational aids provided over the years for ships at sea. The club has activated the radio room of the old lightship, using amateur radio frequencies and licensed amateur radio operators.

The radio club trusts that one of the results of the project will be the retention of the nostalgic memories and experiences of those communicators who have served at sea.

Important Announcements

Important Announcements
Important Announcements