[SMCARA] Jamboree on the Air and Western Shore District

[Grant Graessle]

To all who have volunteered:  
JOTA is next weekend.  

Just to clarify:
Date:
	Set up: Friday October 18th, 3pm? 
	Operate: Saturday, October 19th, sunrise to sunset.

Place: Long Farm, Mechanicsville, MD
Long Farm 25775 Long Lane Hollywood MD, 20636 

Going south on MD-235/Three Notch Road, 9.3 miles south of Mechanicsville,
make a U-turn. Take the 1st right onto Long Lane/Lora Lane. Destination will
be on the left. 

Coming from the south, Long Lane/Lora Lane is 2.5 miles north of Hollywood
on Three Notch Road.

I told the organizers that we would not offer Merit Badge sessions
(generally takes 4-5 hours, and that's the speed session).  
But we would sign partials for the following requirements:
1.	Explain what radio is. Then discuss the following:
	a. The differences between broadcast radio and hobby radio.
	b. The differences between broadcasting and two-way communications
	c. Radio call signs and how they are used in broadcast radio and
amateur radio
	d. The phonetic alphabet and how it is used to communicate clearly.

	7.  Visit a radio installation (an amateur radio station, broadcast
station, or public communications center, for example) approved in advance
by your counselor. Discuss what types of equipment you saw in use, how it
was used, what types of licenses are required to operate and maintain the
equipment, and the purpose of the station.
	
	9  Do ONE of the following: (a OR b OR c )
		a. AMATEUR RADIO
*	Tell why the FCC has an amateur radio service. Describe some of the
activities that amateur radio operators can do on the air, once they have
earned an amateur radio license.
*	Using proper call signs, Q signals, and abbreviations, carry on a 10
minute real or simulated radio contact using voice, Morse Code, or digital
mode. (Licensed amateur radio operators may substitute five QSL cards as
evidence of contacts with amateur radio operators from at least three
different call districts.) Properly log the real or simulated ham radio
contact and record the signal report.
*	Explain at least five Q signals or amateur radio terms you hear
while listening.
*	Explain some of the differences between the Technician, General, and
Extra Class license requirements and privileges. Explain who administers
amateur radio exams.
*	Explain how you would make an emergency call on voice or Morse
code.. Explain the differences between handheld transceivers and home "base"
transceivers. Explain the uses of mobile amateur radio transceivers and
amateur radio repeaters.

Any questions?  
Please feel free to post them.

Thanks for your help.

73
Grant Graessle
N4PGG

_____________________________________________
From: Grant Graessle [mailto:stewfoot at verizon.net] 
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 11:10 PM
To: 'mlandmann at juno.com'; 'kb3uun at gmail.com'; 'Jim Forest'; 'Clarke, Tom';
'Clarke, Tom AIR4.0P NATOPS'; 'Allen Landmann'
Cc: 'smcara at mailman.qth.net'
Subject: Jamboree on the Air and Western Shore District


Fellow hams.
October 18th is quickly approaching.  And I am in the process of planning
the logistics of the event. 
I have put the folks in the "to" line that have volunteered.  I put the
SMCARA mailman net just in case we have any folks that might be interested
in coming.   

After much thought,  I think that we will just focus on the aspect of
participating in the event and getting boys on the air.  Although, if the
boys bring their "blue cards' to us,  we can sign off on requirements 1, 7
and 9 if we can talk to the boys a little about amateur radio and get them
on the air for a few minutes each. 

Here is a rough outline of my plan:
*	I am thinking that we operate like Field Day... 3A.  Except no
logging, just have fun. 
*	Tom (W4OKW) has graciously accepted my request to organize antennas
and power.  I will organize shelter. 
*	We will set up (mostly) on Friday evening... everything but the
actual rigs. Bring the rigs Saturday morning.  Those of you in the To line
have said you could bring a rig. 
*	I will bring some sort of shelter to operate under and arrange for
tables.  You might want to bring your chair. 
*	No logging is planned.  Just have fun. If there is somebody who
wants to log, then feel free to volunteer or bring your paper log. 

The troops will provide meals, but we might want to bring our own snacks.
Although several of the troops will set up some exhibits that include
cooking simple meals. Several of the troops have spare mess kits for adults
and visitors, but be prepared. Bring your mess kit.  Several of the troops
have coffee running all the time.  Bring a coffee cup. 

As the boys come up to see us, we can talk about what radio is and the
differences between amateur, broadcast and world bands (requirement 1)
discuss a little about the rules, regs and good etiquette (requirement 7)
and then put them on the air to make contacts (requirement 9A.) 

The official hours are from Saturday at 00:00 hours local time (right at
midnight Friday) to Sunday 24:00 (midnight Sunday evening); but the camporee
scouts generally pack up Sunday morning and go home.  My thought is that we
just operate for the day on Saturday, sunrise to sunset.  
We strike camp towards sunset.  

Questions for you all:  
	Do we want to buy JOTA 2013 patches to hand out? 
	What questions do you alll have, so that I may plan logistics
better? 

73
N4PGG
Grant

Gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the river side. Ain't gonna
study War no more.
American folk hymn. 

You have designed a system, Kind of, not to work, as I understand it.
Sir Peter Westmascott on "Wait, wait, don't tell me."