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K2BSA/7 at Dad and Lad Event in Cascade Pacific Council

Jim Wilson
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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

Jim Wilson
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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

Jim Wilson
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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

2019 World Jamboree — NA1WJ

Jim Wilson
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We’ve just started working with the 2019 World Jamboree leadership on the amateur radio activation. It will be a part of Centro Mundial and in turn part of Living in the 21st Century and Communications/Media. This broader area includes exhibits that support conservation, sustainability, ethics/faith/belief, STEM, vocations/avocations, and inclusion.

The amateur radio operation fits nicely with STEM, avocations or hobbies, and certainly serves as an entry point for vocations. You can see the early operational vision document at World Jamboree — NA1WJ. Our goals are to introduce the science, technology, fun, and magic of amateur radio operation to Scouts and Scout leaders from around the world. We’ll also serve as the amateur radio voice of the Jamboree via two-way radio contacts within the Jamboree and worldwide.

The current vision by and large sees a similar operation to the 2013/2017 USA National Jamborees with an extensive demonstration station, ARDF-Foxhunting, and special events that include satellite contacts, an International Space Station contact, balloon launches, as well as low-power portable activation at Garden Ground on the Summit property. Since the Radio Merit Badge doesn’t apply worldwide, we won’t offer that instruction.

Much of the equipment is in storage at the Summit. This includes antennas, cables, and more. We also hope to have Icom America transceivers on loan.

The chosen amateur radio call sign is NA1WJ, representing the first North American hosted World Jamboree. We would have liked to have WSJ as the last letters. But the USA’s FCC doesn’t allow three letters in a call sign for the NA prefix. They also don’t allow two numbers, such as 24 for the 24th World Scout Jamboree.

We did not feel that the K2BSA call sign would be suitable as the World Jamboree hosts are Scouts Canada, Scouts Mexico, and the Boy Scouts of America. The NA1WJ call sign seems more inclusive of this team effort for all of North America.

You can learn more about the World Jamboree at these links https://www.2019wsj.org and https://wsj2019.us  If you’re involved in Scouting and want to participate in the Jamboree, you can learn more at How BSA Members Can Participate in the 2019 World Scout Jamboree.

Stay tuned to learn more about this upcoming operation in July 2019.

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