Jamboree on the Air 2002 - Buckmore Park
Over the weekend of the 19/29th October this year we ran an Amateur Radio station - GB4KCS - as part of the World Jamboree on the Air Event.
During the weekend we ran the Scout Communicators Badge and 13 Scouts from 3 groups round the County attended. To pass the badge the following had to be completed:
- Log 25 different amateur radio stations showing details of date, time, call sign, frequency, readability and location. Some broadcast stations may be included.
- Show how to tune a simple communications receiver.
- Give an example of a typical 'greetings message'.
- Know the more commonly used HF and VHF amateur frequency bands and explain in simple terms how radio waves travel around the world.
- Know the International Phonetic Alphabet and define at least eight international Q code signals.
- Demonstrate their ability to recognise call signs from the UK and near continent.
- Visit an amateur radio station.
- Understand the regulations governing the use of amateur radio equipment.
The Scouts arrived about 9am on the Saturday and after an introduction to Amateur radio by Stuart, Paul and Ken the work books were handed out and the logging was explained. From then each Scout had to log 25 stations identifying which country the station was located.
Paul, who gained his Foundation Licence at the course which was run earlier in the year had his first conversation on the VHF radio which allowed us to talk to other JOTA stations in Kent, London and Essex. We had a long conversation and many greetings messages were passed to the Gillwell Park Station (GB2GP)
As part of understanding the different modes of Amateur Radio each Scout had the opportunity to try and send their name in Morse Code to a computer which showed the correct (letter or number) if the character was sent properly. The Antennas which we were using were explained including the use of a loop antenna.
On Sunday morning a wide game was held using the County Radio Set. This involved 6 teams using correct radio procedures to radio in for grid references where they could find symbols. Once found, these were radioed back to base, and if correct, a new grid reference was passed back. With multiple teams on the same frequency correct radio procedure was quickly learned and the winners where the first people to complete the course.
At Sunday Lunchtime we had a visit from Paul, Chairman of the Kent Amateur Television Group. He explained this aspect of the hobby and the Scouts were able to use a camera with sound linked back to a Colour Television receiver. More details of Amateur Television can be found on the Kent Amateur Television Web Site.
The weekend ended about 4pm once logbooks were checked and the badge requirements were met.
If you are interested in holding a JOTA station next year please see the JOTA pages on this site for more details.
Many thanks to Buckmore Park for letting us hold the event again this year and to Ken for his time and equipment which we used to create this successful event.
Stuart - Technology Advisor
