I wanted to have everyone to be able to see if they can help Doug and the scouts with this event. Contact Doug with any questions. - Jon Knapp KB8KLK
TO: TMRA CLUB MEMBERS.
This letter is from Doug Creager, AB8XW, a member in good standing with TMRA. Doug is involved in helping the scouts. Doug is in need of volunteers to assist with setting up antennas and getting on the air at Camp Pioneer.
Doug is trying to help introduce amateur radio to our youth. He could do it alone and work extremely hard at it or he could do it with some help from some amateurs who are interested in helping other people learn about amateur radio and it would be easier. If you have some time (The times are listed in the letter)contact Doug to see what you can do to help. If you remember when you were young and remember who took time to talk to you about amateur radio, you might want to pass that favor on.
Please read this and take some time to help. Don't give the scouts reason to think there is no interest in amateur radio by NOT doing anything. Call Doug and find out what you can do.
Steve Bellner, W8TER
VP TMRA
P.S. Teach CW to a scout. You'll be surprised at the result.
Amateur Radio Operation at Pioneer Scout Camp.
Why operate at a Scout camp you ask. First, we need to expose the youth of your community to new experiences like amateur radio in hopes that the seeds we sow today will lead some of the scouts back to our hobby or into careers in related fields. The numbers of amateur radio operators has not been growing and we are getting grayer as a group every year. Second, this provides us an opportunity to practice our field operation skills. We will have 6 Tuesday evenings. If you find issues or areas of deficiency one week you can work on it and try again in a week or two. You may also be able to try setups that you do not have space to setup around your home station.
My personal goal is to have the following setups available through out the 6 week of camp.
A: NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) antenna for 80 M and 40 M. The hope is to provide communications out to 500 miles. The type of communications range needed during a disaster. After all, the Boy Scout motto is ‘Be prepared’.
B: G5RV ladder line feed covering 80M and higher frequencies. With a little luck and the help of the bucket truck we should be able to have this antenna 50 feet or higher in a semi permanent installation. Looking for suggestions on the orientation of this antenna for best results.
C: 2M J Pole for coverage of the local area. I have always had good luck with Hams around the northwest corner of Ohio. It is a good reliable way to get kids on the air. The J pole is also good for showing home built gear.
I am really hoping we can have a minimum of 2 operators every week. At least one HF and one UHF/VHF station. We will be able to accommodate 4 operators with no trouble and the more operators we have the easier it is on each of us. We do have a 120VAC 20A power feed at the operating location. Generators can also be used and I will have my solar power system also. A suggestion to provide radio grams from camp back to parents in Toledo was made at the last club meeting. I have no experience in this area but it would be a wonderful way to introduce the parent to one of our capabilities. Digital modes and satellite would be great to demonstrate to the scouts. This generation of kids lives and breathes a digital world.
I am looking for additional suggestions that will make this a successful experience for the Scouts and the amateur radio operators that participate. I expect this to be a positive experience for both. The dates are 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29 from after 5:00 to when we go home. The boys will be free to visit our site from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. I am not asking you to be out every week, unless you want to be. I do guarantee you get something out of the experience, even those of you that don't work well with kids. Please contact Doug at ab8xw@arrl.net with suggestions, questions and to sign-up for an evening of fun. Please include information on the mode you will be operating with your sign-up.
Douglas Creager
3709 Woodmont Rd
Toledo, Ohio 43613
419.475.5599
dugmail@sbcglobal.net
AIM id DglsCrgr60
HAM call sign AB8XW
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