NARC again activated Happisburgh Lighthouse on the Northeast Norfolk coast for International Lighthouse and Lightship weekend over the 16th and 17th of August 2025.
Located on this rapidly eroding section of coastline, Happisburgh LH (ILLW No. 0007) is,uniquely, an independently-owned and operated lighthouse and a very iconic landmark building. Several years ago it also starred on TV through the programme series of “Project Anika” whereby the lighthouse was repainted in a weekend. More recently, a zip wire charity event took place there with the public able to launch from the top of the lighthouse!
NARC have activated this lighthouse over many years and operate from within the actual lighthouse building, which has a pronounced echo effect if trying to operate SSB (phone).
Therefore, operation is mainly Morse code and headsets are essential.
On Sunday the lighthouse is open to the general public and many of the visitors are interested to hear about the ongoing radio operation and the fact that we are in contact with other activated lighthouses.
Additionally, a handheld 2m station was operated from the light enclosure as well as a ground-based vehicle adding a further 25 contacts.
Conditions were found to be moderate with a substantial amount of QSB (fading) on 40m.
Activity levels seemed to be lower than on previous events, but despite that, it was an enjoyable public-facing event as usual.
Happisburgh Lighthouse is the oldest working light in East Anglia, and the only independently-run lighthouse in Great Britain.
NARC wishes to thank the Happisburgh Lighthouse Trust for allowing us to operate from the site and to members of the lighthouse staff for their assistance.