JOTA comes but once a year, but at Manly-Warringah we make sure that our friends in the Scouting movement don’t have to wait a whole year for their next experience of Amateur Radio!
Throughout the year, the Society hosts visits from local Scout groups – a kind of mini JOTA – when the kids come and play radios doing some simple radio-related activities to keep the fire burning.
On Tuesday evening this week, we had a visit from 1st Forestville Cubs.
The evening comprised four activities from our JOTA menu. Each activity lasted about just 20 minutes, so we wouldn’t overload the kids.
Our resident submariner, Richard VK2NRA, gave the cubs an introduction to radio communications and encryption.
Leo VK2LEO and Brian VK2AXC introduced Morse Code and the Phonetic Alphabet.
Mal VK2TMF brought the Cubs into the shack to play some HF and use those newly-learned phonetics Phonetics. Thanks to Rod VK2ZZM for being the accomplice on the other end of the HF link during the grey line. Unfortunately after the first couple of contacts at 5-9 the conditions deteriorated in just a few minutes.
Des VK2TGJ led the “Build a Station” activity, though in contrast to our normal daytime JOTA version they did it in the cold and darkness. As the father of a well-known comic strip personality likes to say, “it builds character!”
All in all, it really was a fun and fulfilling way to share our hobby. And, especially as our clubhouse is a Girl Guides hall, it’s a great way for us to “give back”!
We would like to encourage other Amateur Radio clubs to reach out to their local Scout groups in between JOTAs: it’s a great way to plant the seeds that will one day bring more newcomers into the hobby. Remember to pay some attention to the Scout leaders too, as they might be ready to start their Amateur Radio journey right way!
These activities are easy to run, and the leaders are right there if you are concerned the kids might muck up.
You can also join as an observer on our Cub nights if you wish, so you can get an idea of what’s involved. Read our special JOTA post too for ideas you can start on right now!
The next Cub night is currently slated for 14 August.
Photos: huge thanks to Chris Willey
Thank you so much for having us. We always enjoy our evenings with the MWRS. Although we haven’t visited for a couple of years, it was great to see some of the same volunteers again. We really appreciate you sharing your time and expertise with us. The opportunities the Cubs receive being part of the wider scouting movement are unique and very much appreciated. Over and out!
Thanks Rebecca, we’re always happy to have you guys over!
Adam D had requested an information pack that could be given out to the Cubs, which made me realise that we don’t have one, so that’s now on our To-Do list! Suggestions and ideas welcome.
Cheers,
Richard (VK2SKY)