Society member Jim Kimpton G4WAO came across an old newspaper browsing some photos on an ageing iPad. It was the JOTA of 1987, the year of the hurricane in southern England, when Jim was living in Chichester then and was with the local club. Jim had forgotten about the event but thought it might be of interest to others. Sadly the Chichester ARC no longer exists, but their old Facebook page and web site linger on.

“Message of good news over the radio

“Radio Hams have been able to assure a radio enthusiast in far off South Africa that her Hampshire parents were unharmed in the hurricane. Jim Kimpton, a member of Chichester and District Amateur Radio Club, was taking part in Chichester District Scouts’ Jamboree of the Air (JOTA), contacting Scouts abroad on Sunday, when an anxious voice crackled through the receiver.

“It was an operator called Jenny, on the air on behalf of White River Scouts in the Transvaal, South Africa. “She had been unable to contact her parents in chandlers Ford by phone since the hurricane hit Britain, and was worried that they had come to harm.” he said.

“Jim contacted RAYNET, a group of amateur radio operators who help the emergency services, and the Hampshire British Red Cross offered to help. “Within an hour we managed to find out that Jenny’s parents were fine but their phone was out of order, and she was very relieved to hear it.” said Jim.“