TCSWAT, after the successful ILOTA Istanbul Lighthouses On The Air activity, again in collaboration with the Directorate General of Coastal Safety, is organising MLOTA Marmara Lighthouses On The Air. During the ILLW International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend in August 2009, two new lighthouses Kocaeli Yelkenkaya Lighthouse ( TC99K ), Yalova Bozburun Lighthouse ( TC99Y ) were activated for the first time.  Now, Balyos Lighthouse on the South coast of Marmara sea will be activated for the first time between September 19 and 23, 2009 with the callsign TC3BLH. Activity will be as usual in HF bands, mainly on 20 and 40m SSB. SSTV activity is planned but not guaranteed.

HISTORY OF THE LIGHTHOUSE

Station established in 1861. Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) round hourglass-shaped tower, painted white. The tower stands next to a ruined 1-story masonry keeper's house with the roof of the house collapsed. According to NGA, the previous light was on a skeletal tower. Located on the northwestern tip of the Erdek Peninsula just west of İlhanköy. Admiralty E4884; NGA 17164

 If you are interested in Lighthouse activities please check the website, http://www.tcswat.org , for further announcements.

 Important. QSL Info: Please read the QSL policy statement in www.tcswat.org before sending any qsl cards direct.

 All stations with a TC prefix are not TCSWAT activities.(You'll see the difference at the time of QSLs.)

Marmara Lighthouses On The Air (MLOTA) Award by TCSWAT

Between August 2009 and May 2010, TCSWAT in collaboration with Coastal Safety Administration is going to activate seven historical lighthouses around the Marmara Sea. The dates, locations and callsigns of these are as follows:

1. 15-17 August 2009 Kocaeli Yelkenkaya Lighthouse (TUR 054): TC99K  ( Done )
2. 15-17 August 2009 Yalova Bozburun Lighthouse (TUR pending): TC99Y ( Done )
3. 19-22 September 2009 Balıkesir Bandırma Balyos Lighthouse (TUR pending): TC3BLH  ( Done )
4. 9-11 October 2009 Tekirdağ Marmara Ereğlisi Lighthouse (TUR 059): TC1ELH  ( Done )
5. 6 - 23 November  2009 Istanbul Yeşilköy Lighthouse (TUR 055): TC1YLH 
6. April 2010 Çanakkale Gelibolu Lighthouse  (TUR 023): TC1GLH 
7. May 2010 Tekirdağ Hoşköy Lighthouse  (TUR 025): TC1HLH

Exact dates for the activations to be announced later.