At the suggestion of a member or the International Scouting community, the 2012 Jamboree On The Air was the first time the Gulf Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America held coordinated JOTA operations at different locations over two days instead of stand alone sites scattered across West Central Florida. In comparison to JOTA participation world-wide, USA’s participation in the past was lackluster.  An estimated 9.000 Scouts participate in JOTA in the United States. We anticipated 900-1500 in the Gulf Ridge District alone.  Since the US has over 700,000 licensed Amateurs, it was felt that a coordinated effort at different locations would encourage more wide-spread participation.

Gulf Ridge Council encompasses Citrus, Sumter, Hernando, Pasco Hillsborough, Polk, Hardee and Highlands Counties. There are approximately 30,000 youth in all facets of Scouting. JOTA 2012, was a two-day event divided into three locations - Bushnell, Odessa and Lake Wales on Saturday and also at the Museum of Science and Industry (“MOSI”) in Tampa on Sunday where the Scouts were having a Spook-A-Ree.

On the Amateur side, this is part of the North Florida and West Central Florida ARRL Sections. Tony N2MFT was coordinator for this year’s event. He has been active in JOTA for the previous seven years. He contacted the ARRL South East Division Director and Vice Director, North Florida and West Central Florida Section Managers and each of the 84 club/groups asking for assistance. Since this was not going to be in any club area, the Amateurs worked as a unit, not as a club event, but as an Amateur Radio event.

Several planning meetings were held starting in January 2012 in Tampa to discuss how to integrate Scouts and Amateurs for a fun event. Having the International Scout Leader and other Scout leaders made for a smooth integration. Not knowing how many Amateurs would assist and band conditions was a small bump on the road to success. Unlike past JOTA events where each club/group saw 30-50 Scouts, we anticipated a total of 900-1500 Scouts, plus parents, divided equally among the various sites over two days.

October 20, 2012 JOTA - Day One.

Amateurs arrived 0700-0800. The first Scout wave came at 0900 as expected. From there on till 1630, the fun was non-stop. Many of the Scouts were integrated by the various radios. The excitement escalated as they got to talk on the radio to another Scout or Amateur. Many of the participating Scouts had a Grandfather or other relative who was an Amateur.

October 21, 2012 JOTA - Day Two

Several Amateurs who assisted on Saturday had so much fun they decided to help again on Sunday at MOSI working from 0800 till 1600 hours. Bright and early they arrived to set up stations at MOSI in Tampa, Florida. MOSI was chosen as it was near to the Gulf Ridge Council Headquarters, in a central location, provided the opportunity for the Scouts and family to do two different things on a beautiful Sunday. HF conditions were better than Saturday.

Overall the goal was to increase participation in JOTA by both the Amateur and Scout Communities to ignite a spark of interest in radio in a wireless world. A big Thank You to AK4RV, K4WSB, KC4MTS, KE4TP, KE7UTH, KF4IZT, KG4JSZ, KI4CRI, KI4YQT, KJ4IDH, KJ4INW, KJ4JEI, KJ4JHT, KJ2SHL, KK4KNT, KS4WA, KU8Q, KU8U, N2MFT, N3OS, N4WEB, N9EE, W1GUD and XYL Lona (26 year Scout leader), WB3JUZ, WB4J. These 25 Amateurs demonstrated Amateur Radio to our next generation. Showing them the first wireless device still has a place 2012 in every day use and during Emergencies.

W4FDX, KM0SI, W4DUG, N9EE, KC4MTS and various personnel calls

Video posted on http://twit.tv/show/ham-nation/71 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dq5p1hM0h4

Tony De Angelo, N2MFT

President W4FDX and W4HSO

PO BOX 341471

TAMPA FL 33694-1471

813-318-1700

TonyN2MFT@gmail.com