Boy Scouts contact the world via amateur radio

Boy Scouts Troops in Logan County are hosting the 52nd Annual Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) at Liberty Lake this Saturday.

Scouts and interested people are invited to share ideas and Scouting experiences with their fellow Scouts around the world using two-way amateur radio and satellite links.

JOTA contributes to better understanding and mutual respect between youth in different countries. Thousands of amateur radio stations around the world participate through various methods, from contacting others using a HAM device to using a shortwave radio receiver.

WHY

More than 500,000 Scouts in 100 countries from Algeria to Zimbabwe participate in JOTA each year.

The event is open to all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and adult leaders, family, and friends.

WHEN

9 am through Saturday evening

Saturday, October 20 2012

WHERE

Liberty Lake

Google Maps Link: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=35.801786,-97.463209&spn=0.001795,0.003484&t=h&z=19

ACTIVITIES

Amateur Radio contacting scouts around the world.
Fox-Hunt Scouts use radio direction finding gear to locate a hidden fox – a 21st century Easter Egg hunt.
Radiosurgery Discover how radiosurgery uses radio waves to remove tumors in medicine. Practice using an advanced radiosurgical unit to practice removing the warts off a pickle.
Satellite communications We were successful last year in talking with an astronaut on the International Space Station using a handheld radio and an antenna made of barbed wire. These opportunities are random and very uncommon but we try and have been successful twice.

VISUALS

2011 event images located here: https://picasaweb.google.com/109750271065200642806/JamboreeOnTheAir2011

We will send a follow-up with 2012 pics you are welcome to review.

WHO and INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

Scouts from Guthrie Boy Scout Troops 587 and 850. Our call sign will be WB5BSA

Amateur Radio operators / volunteers include: John Dronberger, Mike Campbell, Oscar Staudt, Larry Holden, Doug Cook and more…