We’ve just posted the February 2018 Jamboree on the Air Newsletter. You can find it at this link — February 2018 JOTA Newsletter. Or click on the nearby image. You can also find the past issues there.
K2BSA/7 at Dad and Lad Event in Cascade Pacific Council
Norman Royce, KD6IFF, has provided an after action report on his operation of K2BSA/7 in early February 2018. There’s quite a few best practices at play in this description that can probably help your upcoming operation.
I ran a STEM station for radio. Here’s insight into what worked along with examples you can follow.
Science – How Propagation Works
- Foils with diagrams work best
- Used a “Ball thrown against a Ceiling” as an example and then they understood the radio waves bouncing off the different atmosphere layers
- D-Layer = Living-room ceiling
- F-Layer = Gym ceiling
Technology – Morse code keys through the years…from old straight keys to newer paddles.- Make sure they have a buzzer of some sort attached
- I forgot that the first time I used code keyers as an example and the first comment I got was “They don’t make any noise.”
- Arduino Iambic Keyer project in a clear case for the 2 button is also great for pointing out the technology that can be used.
Engineering – Engineering can be explained with multiple examples- Differences in power levels to radio sizes
- Comparison of home-made antennas to manufactured
- How to generate power so you can charge your battery box when standard power is down
- Had examples for Gas Generator and Solar Panel on site
- Explained that water and wind power are the main sources of power for all of Oregon
Math – Tape Measure Antenna hanging on a 1/8 in rope Tape Measure Antenna_Data Sheet- They work as a Pack to complete the quiz at this link Tape Measure Antenna_Quiz
- Have the rope long enough that they can slide the tape measures to the distance for a 10M dipole
- When done explain that since these tape measures are metal we could actually attach the radio and talk over this antenna
- The tape measure antenna is built using 2 of the 33ft x 1″ wide tape measures secured to a plexiglass backer
- 33ft tape measures are available at Harbor Freight…lets you get to 40M (Quiz Question #2)
- 25ft will also work….lets you get to 20M (Quiz Question #2)
Revised Radio Merit Badge Pamphlet is Available
The revised Radio Merit Badge pamphlet that matches the requirements that became effective on January 1, 2017 is now available.
It is order number 642986 and shows a 2017 copyright and printing. Make sure you pick up the correct version.
Here’s the link to the Supply webpage — Radio Merit Badge pamphlet.
2017 JOTA Station Locations and Contacts
We’ve been wrestling with how to conduct further analysis of the 2017 USA Jamboree on the Air results. Here’s a map of the data showing station locations and the number of contacts. It may be just showing the distribution of Scouting units across the country but perhaps it’s showing us something more. Let us know what you think.
If the display below isn’t working, here’s a link JOTA Contacts
