2016 Jamboree on the Air Report
Jamboree on the Air is the world’s largest Scouting event. Each year, more than 1-million Scouters participate from 150 nations.
K9RSR is the official Radio Scouting station of Rainbow Council BSA in suburban Chicago. We are trained Scouters with a passion for bringing this hobby to young people.
This year was our third JOTA. We served about 60 Scouts, including Cubs, Webelos, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.
New Advancement Includes Ham Radio
The Cub Scout program received a major overhaul last year. One change will benefit Ham Radio for the good.
The Arrow of Light award, a Webelos achievement, has an option tailor-made for us.
- Connect with a Scout in another country during an event such as Jamboree on the Air (Requirement 10D)
Your Ham Radio Club should reach out to local Cub Scout Packs now.
This is Manna from Heaven for Ham Radio.
Voice Station
If it had been ARRL Field Day, K9RSR would have been 3A with a GOTA station.
We grouped the Phone stations under a park shelter and pitched a tent for PSK.
Even when we don’t work another Scout Station, the ham radio operator on the other end always makes time to chat with the boys.
We worked many station in the New York QSO Party. Each time, the guys on the other end stopped and gave our Scouts a few minutes of their time.
With conditions as poor as they were, we’re grateful to the operators who put the hobby above contest points.
Jamboree on the Air really is Ham Radio at its best.
Digital Station
It will come as no surprise that today’s Scouts like digital communication. Our PSK station always is a hit with Scouts of all ages.
Today’s Scouts are digital natives, so they feel at home with PSK and similar modes.
This young man worked K2BSA/5 at the National Scout Museum in Irving, Texas.
Event QSO Map
New to our event was the QSO Map. Best decision we ever made.
When the Scout completed a QSO, he marked his contact by pushing a pin into the location of the station he worked. It didn’t take long for the map to fill.
We plan to make this a permanent park of JOTA. It gave the kids a sense of what you can do with 100 watts and a wire.
Take Aways
Boy Scouts have given Ham Radio a great opportunity to introduce the hobby to a new generation. The Arrow of Light advancement should draw Webelos like crazy next year. We plan a big push with our District Round Tables next Spring.
We also plan to have a Unit Commissioner on site so the adult leaders can log a commission visit. Not only will this help the unit leadership with a necessary part of the Scouting program, it will give the adults something to do while their Scouts play on the radio.
Mark Your Calendar Now!
Jamboree on the Air happens October 22, 2017 next year.
We will operate from Hammel Woods again next year, so mark your calendar!
For Scouts in Rainbow Council and Three Fires Council, your unit can earn advancement for Arrow of Light and the Radio Merit Badge.
For more information, or if you would like a Ham Radio Demonstration at your unit, send me a message.
