10/18/2009 | NM0S Mount Vernon, Iowa's Boy Scout Troop 40 participated in their first ever JOTA during their Fall Camporee, at Camp Waubeek, north of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As the Boy Scouts had just concluded a Radio Merit Badge class, they were very enthusiastic about the opportunity to try their hand at ham radio. The HF field station was a Ten-Tec Triton IV, operating from a deep-cycle battery, feeding a multi-band wire dipole, suspended between two trees.

As set-up concluded about 3:00 PM CDT, the boys gathered around the picnic table that had become the improvised ham station, and eagerly awaited their turn at the mike. One by one, they experienced QSOs with hams and scouts in New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Idaho, Tennessee, and other locations. A few even got their first taste of contesting, making contacts in the Iowa QSO party. In all, nine Boy Scouts and four Cub Scouts experienced the magic of Ham Radio! There was even a scout leader who patiently waited his turn to talk. Two logbook pages were filled with the contacts of the short weekend.

Interestingly, many boys inquired about the telegraph key at the table, and asked about learning Morse code.

Early Sunday morning when 20 meters opened up, the boys got to hear some DX, from England, Germany, and Russia. The morning operation was cut short by the call of bacon, sausage and pancakes.

Even teardown didn't diminish the excitement. As the gear was packed away for next year, nearly every boy expressed an interest in getting a license, and asked about bringing a license class to Mount Vernon.

You can be sure they are looking forward to Troop 40's second annual JOTA operation!

73 - Dave Cripe -- NM0S