10/21/2007 | W7UQ As a Cubmaster of Pack 323/324 and an avid ham radio operator JOTA is a natural match for me. Unfortunately I had forgotten that JOTA happened on the 3rd weekend in October so getting the word out to units was tough. However, the units that were able to join me for this event had a great time learning a bit about radio and making contacts.

Since I am a student at the University of Idaho the club station is large enough to host lots of scouts. We used the club station W7UQ and had a great time. The following are the unit numbers and names and rank of the scouts that operated:

Inland Northwest Council:
Pack 323/324 Aaron Parker (Cubmaster),
Pack 324 Alex (Bear),
Pack 324 Christian (Bear),
Pack 426 Spencer (Bear),
Troop 445 Skylar (Life),
Troop 445 Sterling (Eagle),
Troop 445 Berry (Unit Commissioner)

Saturday evening:
My son Alex jumped at the chance to talk on the radio (go figure since he has been around the radio all his life) and after a half hour grabbed W9QR. After a quick QSO the band noise increased and the going was tough for the guys from pack 426 and troop 445. The boys called CQ for over an hour on 20, 40 and 80 meters before generating QSO's. Everyone operated as much as they wanted and I was right there at the radio to calm the nerves of copying call signs and running the radio to make it fun.

Sunday evening:
One additional scout came down with his mother and jumped right on the air. Christian only called CQ once before he was answered by K6DUJ in CA. Additional contacts were made until their desire to talk around the country was satisfied. Fun was had by all and I hope next year we will see better propagation :)

Catch you next year for sure as I am trying to plan for over 80 scouts to participate from our QTH.
-- KC7RSO