ICYMI you can find the October 9 2017 JOTA Newsletter at this link http://mailchi.mp/a13f62422078/latest-jamboree-on-the-air-news
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Scouting Frequencies During JOTA 2017
You can find a list of suggested Scouting frequencies at http://k2bsa.net/scout-frequencies/ and the same listing at http://www.scouting.org/jota/operators_guides.aspx
Note that these are suggestions. Crowded conditions, including contests, will no doubt require that you move a few kHz plus or minus.
Of particular concern are potential conflicts with emergency response traffic in the Caribbean. The ARRL has issued a note about traffic on 14.265 MHz as well as another note regarding Hurricane Nate traffic on 3.752 MHz, 7.242 MHz, and 14.302 MHz. In general, you should steer clear of any net traffic that you run across.
George Sparling, N2BEF, also brought to our attention a conflict with PSK and the new WSJT-X mode FT8 on 18.100 MHz. Both are recommending the same frequency which could generate interference. Since FT8 is the predominant activity at 18.1 MHz right now, we suggest looking for PSK contacts plus or minus 3 kHz. The frequency allocation for the 17 meter band runs from 18.068 to 18.110 MHz for CW, RTTY/Data modes.
We’ve also reviewed the currently recommended FT8 frequencies on the other HF bands and haven’t found any other conflicts. We’ll note that the K2BSA Jamboree operation used FT8 and found it at least provided examples of amateur radio contacts for Scouts. It’s not a Scout-to-Scout conversation mode like PSK, SSB, and others. But it could serve as a useful demonstration of amateur radio capabilities.
As always, a Scout is friendly and courteous. Follow the Scout Law as you navigate the amateur radio bands during JOTA-JOTI weekend.
September 2017 Jamboree on the Air Newsletter
In case you missed the September issue of the Jamboree on the Air Newsletter, you can find it at this link http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=56ce1526bb2372707f5868e21&id=24527feda1 along with all past issues as well.
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K9RSR on the air at Rainbow Scout Reservation
This originally appeared on Amateur Radio Newsline.
Brian McDaniel, N4AE, will be activating his club’s callsign K9RSR at the Rainbow Scout Reservation in Morris, IL, on September 16th. Brian and his group will be demonstrating ham radio on phone, PSK and DMR. Look for them on 80, 40, 30, 20, 17 and DMR.
With Jamboree on the Air quickly approaching, Bill Sterns, NE4RD, spoke with Brian about getting started now.
BRIAN: Well my name is Brian McDaniel, N4AE, and I’m the trustee of K9RSR which is the official scout radio station at Rainbow Council in Illinois. The Cub-scout program received a major overhall that benefits I think Ham Radio for the best. The Arrow Of Light which is a Webelos achievement has a tailor made option for us connect with a Scout in another country at an event like JOTA. It’s written right into the program and your ham club should be reaching out to those local cub scout packs now. I kind of describe it as mana from heaven as far as ham radio goes. And you want to reach out to that cubmaster because he’s going to set the calendar, and what you tell him is really really simple. Look, I have Arrow of Light advancement for your Webelos, you show up to this park or where ever your location is going to be, spend an hour, the kids are going to play with computers, they’re going to play with radios, they’re going to talk with people in other countries, and they’re going to have a good time and you get to check the box. And I don’t know of any cubmaster in the country who wouldn’t say where do I need to be and when.
You can find their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/K9RSR/ which includes information about all their activations including Jamboree on the Air.
Here’s the full interview.
