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 Previous: USTTI Course a Learning Experience for All -- The USTTI Amateur Radio Administration Course, Class of 2007 |  Next: QST.org Web Address Now in the Hands of the ARRL |
James O. Baker Jr, KQ4BH
mirkwood@sccoast.net
A South Carolina ham experiences fun and a sense of fulfillment by bringing local Boy Scouts and Amateur Radio together. He hopes others will follow his example.
“That was so cool!” Wide eyed and grinning from ear to ear, Nathan had just completed his first Amateur Radio contact. Two more contacts on the Field Day “Get On The Air” (GOTA) station log, and he was as high as the clouds drifting overhead.
Field Day has always been a fun time, sandwiched between family and work and family and work and, well, family and work. Most years I’d make it to the site for a visit, sometimes operating, sometimes just having a bite and socializing. As winter gave way to spring the anticipation of Field Day 2006 began to rise, because this was the year I was going to do it all. The store and the family could survive one day without me. It was my turn.
I began to plan how I could make a contribution to the W4GS Grand Strand ARC Field Day operation. Tents, cots, radios, antennas — all began to float in that mental space that eventually leads to a plan.
I’ll Do GOTA
I enjoy operating events and contests as a chance to work a new DX station or to give out a few points in the WPX, but I’m not a serious contester. There are others in the club who can put the power to the tower and run up the score. So, I thought GOTA would be a good place for me, and I volunteered to take care of that position. I have been doing Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) for our Cub Scout pack and thought this would also be a good opportunity to help some Scouts get their Radio merit badge. So, I contacted local Scout leaders and invited them to bring their Scouts out to Field Day. The Internet is a wonderful tool, and I soon found all the help I needed in material created by Bill Jeffrey, AA6J. Finally, all was ready, and the big day dawned, hot and sunny.
Tents, cots, radios, antennas and a lot of other stuff went into the truck, and soon we were out at the old air base, where the local chapter of the American Red Cross now has its center. By the time I arrived, the pine trees in the yard next to the building already were loaded with wires. In short order the tent and station were set up, and when my first Scout arrived, I set about organizing my instructional materials.
As the W4GS Field Day stations began working the bands at 1800 UTC, we used the Red Cross training room to present a class on the basic aspects of radio communication, with the focus on Amateur Radio. The merit badge program requires a visit to an actual station, so from the classroom we toured the club’s Class 3F Field Day site, noting the various elements of the operating stations. Then the fun began.
At the GOTA station some of the Scouts had a chance to talk to hams over the air and complete a QSO. Three of the five candidates quickly completed their Radio merit badge requirements. Two had to leave early. One would complete his QSO requirement from my mobile station the following week. Nathan and his family came back during the evening and asked if was too late to try the radio. Setting him down at the operating position I explained the Field Day format and quickly jotted out a rough script to help him.
His first attempt was a bit weak, and I explained that he had to let everyone know he wanted that contact as if it were the last biscuit on the table. His next call sounded loud and clear and got an immediate reply. Nathan gave the proper exchange, and he and the other op wished each other “good luck!”
Pure Joy
The look of pure joy on his face made all the Field Day planning and preparation worthwhile. Following his exuberant exclamation, he picked up the mic again and made several more contacts in short order. Soon we were talking about licensing and equipment, and I think his family was as excited as he was.
For my part, I had a terrific time and learned a lot about Scouting. A GOTA station at Field Day in June and the JOTA in October are excellent opportunities to introduce Amateur Radio to local Scouts, and their enjoyment makes it well worth the effort.
Now let’s see: Can we add a licensing class to the mix for 2007?
Editor's Note: A special 50 hour Jamboree on the Air will be held October 19-21 in celebration of JOTA's 50th year; see September 2007 QST, p 96. And look for complete 2007 Field Day results in the December 2007 issue.
ARRL member Jim Baker, KQ4BH, has had his ham ticket since 1990. He’s an Amateur Extra class licensee and has completed DXCC. A graduate of Coastal Carolina University, he works as a retail electronics store manager. He enjoys DXing and working with Scouts. Baker lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with his wife Nancy and two children.
