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ZL1SLOLighthouse page of Franc Dunatov42 Roberton Road, Avondale, AUCKLAND 1026 |
See my other pagesHomepage EchoLink ILLW Lighthouse YouTube Photos
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Welcome to my Lighthouse page.2009International Lighthouse & Lightship weekend 15-16 August.
The 2009 International Lighthouse and Lightship weekend, ILLW, is held over the weekend 15th and 16th August.
This year I am going to set up a radio station and operate from close to the Bean Rock lighthouse with the special callsign ZL1KBR. Willy ZL1ACW is joining me during the weekend and we are going to be operating from my Toyota coach with a desk set up in the back area. The dipole will be supported by a central pole and we intend to operate, at the very least, on 40 and 80 meters.
We hope to work many stations including lighthouse stations.
Bean Rock LighthouseBean Rock Lighthouse, the only wave washed wooden cottage style lighthouse in New Zealand. It is also the oldest wooden lighthouse in New Zealand. Bean Rock, named after the Master of the ship HMS Herald used to survey it, is located at the entrance to the Waitemata Harbour and is between the volcanic Rangitoto Island and the Auckland central city area. 
After ferrying equipment to and fro, construction of the light that commenced in 1870 was completed within 8 months. Steel foundations were driven into the rock. An open frame of kauri poles were attached and cross braced using iron rods. A platform was built on top of the poles and the lighthouse keeper cottage on that with the light housing capping the building. 
The kerosene light was first lit on the 24th July, 1871 by former crew member of the harbour pilot boat and first keeper, Hugh Brown who was keeper for nineteen years. In 1912 the light was converted to acetylene with the light revolving from the force of gas while it burned and a sun valve was used to turn the gas supply on and off. At a later time the light was changed over the diesel and finally to electricity. In 1898 � 99 the lighthouse was given an major overhaul. In the 1970�s there was talk of replacing the lighthouse structure with one of concrete but that met fierce opposition. In 1985 the cottage structure and platform was cut from the poles and taken by floating crane ashore for another major overhaul. Photos to the right show workers cutting through the first of the eight kauri poles while the cottage and platform are supported on a cradle. The overhaul took five months and during that time, new foundations were set into the rock and replacement Australian hardwood poles were attached. 
The Bean Rock lighthouse is now under the control of the Auckland Harbour Board and is solar powered and also has an automatic fog horn installed. This lighthouse is easily viewed from beaches and coastal roads on both the city and northern sides of the harbour. If you are on one of the ferries that go to Rangitoto or Waiheke Islands you pass right by and get a splendid view . 
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How to contact me:
Franc Dunatov
42 Roberton Road
Avondale, AUCKLAND 1026
MOBILE 021 396-381
E-mail [email protected]
