Jamboree on the air operation event held at Jim KI8BV's home this weekend was a great success. We had six troops on Saturday. Jim had them scheduled to arrive once every hour. One troop even ate lunch at Jim’s home. Band conditions were great so there were lots of contacts on the HF band. Jim had suggested we move to 17M this year instead of 20M which was the norm for the last few years. This proved to be an excellent idea because we had no interference from the “good ole boys” or contesters allowing ham radio to shine. There club members and three non-club members attended the event. Jim KI8BV, Luther KA8BQK, and myself, David WD8CXB were the members. Sue KC8FDF, Rene KC8OAM and Karen were the non-members that were a lot of help. Karen introduced the scouts to amateur radio by giving a small talk and the presentation of an ARRL ham radio video. She gives the scouts an excellent view of what ham radio is from a non-ham viewpoint, (hopefully she will get her ticket soon). Sue helped with the logistics of the event since she works at the scout head quarters for the area; this allowed many of the scout leaders to feel comfortable about this unfamiliar hobby. Then there was Rene. Rene KC8OAM did the most work as the ambassador to amateur radio. Jim KI8BV, Luther KA8BQK and myself would initiate the contact as control operator but would hand the mike over to Rene. She would start a QSO with another scout. When the other scouts saw Rene talking to the scouts all over the states they could not wait to try it. Her presence gave the scouts a peer-to-peer view of amateur radio. It is a real treat to see these kids enjoy amateur radio. Many of them asked questions as to how to get a license. Who knows maybe we have sparked some new interests. Young interest at that, we had operators from six years to sixteen years old!!!

David Troike

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