[Ccarc] JOTA

[Chuck Hendrickson]

Hello all, 

If you didn't go to and or participate in the JOTA event this year at Camp Buffalo you missed a fun event and a great opportunity. I played a slightly different role than in other things I've been involved with. Usually I sit down at the radio after things are set up and operate. I'll get up for short breaks and when nature calls but otherwise I'm operating. Not this time, I did operate PSK with some kids and some sideband as well and had a wonderful time doing it. I did wander around checking out the other stations. Phil had a good time showing everyone things and helping the kids make contacts on 20. We did just BARELY hear the satalite for maybe 45 seconds or so. You had to have a really good imagination to pick someone out of the noise. Couldn't really hear what was being said but you could tell someone was there. Not bad for an unfavorable pass and using a handheld antenna with an HT. The 40 meter station primarily operated by Chris Jones N9CYN from Kokomo seemed to be almost working a constant pileup. As this wasn't a contest it wasn't about contacts it was though about letting kids talk to one another on the radio and to have fun. It seemed everyone did from my perspective. Jeff was running the camp station on 17 and some other bands. Unfortunately he didn't talk to that many scouts he did however make some interesting DX contacts into Europe. 
Bottom line, it was a very successful event and a good time was had by all. I want to thank Phil W9LVY for coming out and helping set up. Tom KB9WSL for coming out and giving up some sleep in the process. Dave KC9CDR for coming out and even driving that 10 wheeled "car" to get there. Tom KB9VMW for coming out after work, yeah a bit late but he still came out to help. Point being I appreciate the sacrifices made to come out to help the Boy Scouts. I stuck around for supper and to "break bread" with the Kokomo group who also happened to be the Scout leaders of one of the troops there. The chilli was good, the lemonade wonderful on the voicebox and the conversation was just as great. 
As I thanked everyone before I want to make a very special thanks to Jeff AD9T for giving our group the opportunity to empart our hobby on the kids. As seen and as you can read we all had a great time and welcome the chance to help KARC in this or another event in the future. 


73, 
Chuck Hendrickson N9PMW
President CCARC
http://www.culcom.net/~ccarcinc
ARRL Ham Radio's National Association
http://www.arrl.org
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