Held this year over the weekend of the 17, 18 & 19 October 2025, the MWRS has again hosted the usual JOTA activities at the Society’s meeting site at Terrey Hills:

  • Battleship via radio
  • Build a station
  • Morse code learning and practice
  • HF communications

We managed to improve the centre height of 40m dipole from 2m to 7m improving signals prior to the commencement of the activities. Stonehenge pizza for lunch was grand for all volunteers. JOTA this year was again a success, we had a great engagement from the Scouts.

Battleship

Andy VK2EAH assisting a battleship station at the Girl Guide Hall
And Sean VK2THT at the other hall – the Scout Hall – the other side of the battle

Build a station

Briefing by Des VK2TGJ before work commencement
Mast raising procedure

HF Communication

HF was a struggle in the late mornings, but Colin JCC and Dom JNA managed to hold it together. By late afternoon 20m had opened up to Europe and we had contacts from everywhere.

HF communication introduction by Colin VK2JCC

On Sunday, Dom VK2JNA ended at the HF station. The visiting scouts all received a quick tuition in HF refraction for DX, noisy voice circuits & phonetics to aid in information transfer. We believe every scout got to chat on HF. So great to see their eyes light up when a distant station deciphers their name! Very difficult conditions, however we were blessed with VK3SCP (John VK3BSE) to talk to all day even though it was really hard work.

Having a crack at calling on the air
Shack detail showing the recently-built HamClock project

Kit building

Meanwhile, at the campsite location the kids are building an electronic kit, no soldering this year, only screws required. The kit is a 2 LED flasher designed by Clifford VK2CLF. Mal VK2TMF is attending the site for the Society.

And the JOTI side of the weekend

All in all …

The roster was very well attended by the MWRS members which facilitated the running of the activities. It included many members “WFH” to respond to calls made on the air for the build a station testing and HF communications when other JOTA stations were not available. Other members were at hand for the kit building at the campsite.

… and a word from the president – Simon VK2YU

Well done and thanks to all that contributed to another successful JOTA. Was great to see the turnout and the scouts having fun on air.

A couple of Venturers were there Saturday morning and one was very interested in the club and all the great things we do so hopefully we will see him up there soon one night. I passed on a business card to each of them. 

Our membership “hunter” Brian VK2AXC was informed and as I left yesterday he was well underway showing the licence study book and delivering #1 chalkboard lesson!

Thanks very much to Yves for uploading the images and spinning the words into another great article on the website.

Special thanks to Jeff (VK2MZZ) for all the legwork leading up to and on the weekend.