October 19-20, 2024 - Joe Rich, BC
Once again, NORAC members Howard VA7PWF, David VA7DRS and John VE7JWS introduced their passion for ham radio to over 150 Scouts and Guides from across British Columbia and Alberta.
There were three amateur radio stations set up for this year's JOTA-JOTI event: HF, CW and digital. Howard and David hosted the digital station while John demonstrated HF.
The weather for the weekend wasn't too promising with cool temperatures and rain in the forecast. Except for a little snow on Friday afternoon, the rain held off for the balance of the Jamboree.
Despite the conditions, dozens of contacts were made using Yaesu's C4FM WIRES-X digital technology with Australia, England, Wales and all across Canada and the US.
The Australian contacts were mostly made on Friday evening. While setting up the station, Howard heard an Aussie JOTA station calling CQ and looking for contacts through the CQ-Canada room. Howard quickly put out a call to the leaders to send him some participants that were setting up their tents. The Australian Guides were most fascinated when they learned the Canadians were setting up their tents in the snow!
Lots of fun and looking forward to 2025,
Howard VA7PWF
Ps: big thanks must go to Fred VA7UN for the use of his C4FM repeater on Black Knight mountain and for his provisioning of a WIRES-X gateway for us to use exclusively for the event.
Pps: NORAC club members contributed approximately 60 hours of service time to this event.
Ppps: check out some pics from the event:
Friday station setup with snow!
Howard facilitates youth QSO action.
Saturday snow melted.
A great group of JOTA-JOTI participants.
The 2024 JOTA-JOTI badge/patch that all attendees received.