Unfortunately only 14 stations sent in
reports this year (less than half of the actual number of UK stations
taking part) so merely counting numbers does not reflect the fun
and wonder of the event. It was nice to hear new groups arranging
stations for the first time and to receive some positive comments
from both radio amateurs and Guiders. Obviously the more stations
that operate the more varied the experience for the girls. This
could be increased if more countries would participate. So if anyone
has contacts or influence with Guiding units across the country
or around the world, suggest they give amateur radio a try. Don't
wait for next year, try taking part in JOTA – Jamboree on
the Air on 21/22 October 2007.
As this
year is 100 years since Lord Baden-Powell started the Scouting Movement,
a Radio Scouting Award has been running since January with certificates
for contacting or listening to Scout or Guide stations or operators.
Full details can be found at www.scouting100award.org/detail.htm
Many of the participants in TDOTA this year should have been able
to collect the fifteen points needed for the Bronze award.
Ease of
hearing distant stations depends on many factors, the radio equipment
being used (particularly the aerial), the location and the ionospheric
conditions. Skilled radio amateurs try to optimise their stations
but are at the mercy of the the ionosphere. The ionosphere is affected
by the sun (for the curious, by the number of sunspots on the sun,
which varies from low to high in an 11 year cycle). Currently conditions
are at their worst and many TDOTA stations commented on the poor
conditions making contacts hard to hear and long distant contacts
impossible. On the plus side – it gets better now for the
next ten years or so!
Technology
is always advancing and many stations are now using Echolink to
achieve high quality long distance communication. Imagine hundreds
of radio stations around the world all connected by the Internet.
Using Echolink via radio just means making a contact with your local
link station and your voice is automatically relayed onto the Internet
and will pop-up at some other radio link station somewhere else
in the world. Don't worry it doesn't have to be entirely random
– if you have a computer you can see lists of other Guide
or Scout stations and their Echolink 'address' so request that your
link station connects you directly to one of them. In fact, if you
are a licensed radio amateur then you don't even need a radio! You
can access all of the link stations directly from a microphone attached
to your Internet-connected PC and be talking to other amateurs across
the world (they might be on the radio or, even just using the computer
themselves). Again for the curious, this technology is called Voice
over IP (VOIP) and is exactly the same technology employed in Internet
phone calls such as Skype.
It was interesting
to read in the reports of some different activities being enjoyed
at TDOTA events. One which I'm sure all the girls in Colchester
enjoyed was Morse code words written in sweets. Using Smarties/M&M's
for dots and cut up strawberry 'laces' for dashes girls could make
words in icing on foil covered boards. A further activity could
be to use Rich Tea or Morning Coffee Finger biscuits covered with
icing and sweets to make up Morse code messages or names. I'm sure
those with long names will love making one biscuit for each letter
of their name!!
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– Highworth, Wiltshire
All girls attending the
Brownie Sleepover Weekend were able to use the radio, and begin
to work on their Communications Badge. They combined the event with
Easter crafts and activities including cake making and an Easter
Egg hunt. Jane McNeil, North Wilts County Commissioner, found time
to visit the station. A simple intercom unit (made to an old JOTA
design) was used to allow the girls to practice passing messages
before venturing on air.
MX0KSC – Keighley, West Yorkshire
Guides from West Yorkshire
North County were given the opportunity to take part in TDOTA with
a Communications Day at Keighley Starcentre in Keighley College.
Whilst gaining Go-for-it Communicate and Communicator Badge the
Guides had the chance to use PMR radios, make cup phones, learn
the phonetic alphabet and play code games.
GB0NB –
Halifax, West Yorkshire
Andrew and Richard, two
local radio amateurs, attended meetings at 1st Northawram Brownie
Unit for four weeks prior to TDOTA weekend. They told the Unit about
Amateur Radio and TDOTA and helped the girls practise passing messages
using PMR walkie talkies. The event was a success with everyone
gaining their Communicators badge. The station managed to work five
other UK TDOTA stations as well as radio amateurs in USA, Hungary,
Russia and Spain.
GX0SCR Caterham, Surrey
Caterham Radio Group have had a long association with 9th Caterham
Guides and this year was the 10th Anniversary of 'Talking to the
World', which resulted in Belynda (M3BYL) designing the now annual
badge. The group give Guides and Brownies the chance to take part
in TDOTA in February and JOTA (organised by the Scout Association)
in October. Therefore some of the Guides have attended between 10
and 21 events. Three Guides who all hold Foundation Amateur Radio
Licenses, Abigail M3JGJ, Sophie M3SOF, and Belynda M3BYL, did an
excellent job running the VHF (local contacts). They kept the main
log and assisted the Brownies and Guides in sending and receiving
messages.
GB0VOM – Thirsk, North Yorkshire
The Vale of Mowbray District
attracted nearly 100 visitors to their station which operated both
on Saturday and Sunday. Rainbows, Brownies and Guides had the opportunity
to make, mobile phone bookmarks, radio ritas and peace doves or
to play phonetic alphabet games. Brownies gained their Communicator
badge and everyone completed clauses of World Guiding badges. As
well as a visit from their Division Commissioner the station had
a visit from a Trefoil Guild member who used to be a radio operator
during the war. The station worked eight of the UK TDOTA stations
as well as radio amateurs across Europe, and were pleased with the
contact into Slovenia using PSK31, which is a data mode, rather
than voice.
GB1KGG –
Killearn, Glasgow
Guides and Brownies had
an enjoyable day contacting UK and Canadian Guide stations as part
of Go-for-it Communicate during their World Thinking Day event.
GB1LGG – Larbert, Falkirk
Larbert Division reported
that the Morse bracelets were a huge success at their first ever
event. Guides and Brownie had the opportunity to participate in
the logging and mapping of contacts. Whilst using HF to contact
other TDOTA stations in UK and Canada, they reported 'three fantastic
Echolink contacts into New Mexico, Tennessee and California' using
2 meters. Their card confirming contacts (QSL card) depicts the
Falkirk Wheel, the worlds first and only rotating boat lift.
GB2BDG –
Blackburn, Lancashire
Blackburn Division Guides
had an enjoyable day contacting Belgium and Germany as well as local
stations.
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GB2FOX
– Foxlease Training and Activity Centre, Hampshire
As in previous years
Foxlease had an TDOTA station as part of their Thinking Day weekend.
Brownies and Guides designed and made the stations QSL cards whilst
waiting for their turn to pass greetings messages to one of the
other Guiding stations contacted over the weekend. After talking
on the radio each girl was given a participation certificate to
use towards their communications badge. Unfortunately the station
were unable to contact any of the Canadian stations, but did speak
to the one in Holland PA6TD/J.
GB2TSC
– Tolmers Scout Camp, Herts
2nd Harlington Guides
were able to use Morse buzzers and practice semaphore, British Sign
Language (BSL) and Makaton whilst visiting the station. Although
they were only able to contact GX0SCR in Caterham during the weekend
they were able to hear an Italian coast guard station in Valletta,
Djorba Island off the coast of Africa and a station in Brazil.
GX3CO – Colchester, Essex
Lexden Heath District
were pleased Colchester Radio Amateurs could provide a station visited
by the Mayor and Mayoress of Colchester; the Mayor holds an Amateur
Radio License and the Mayoress a Guide Guider. The many girls visiting
the station were able to make contact with stations in the UK, Netherlands
and Canada. They also had time for craft activities whilst working
towards Communicator Badge. Kevan Pugh from the radio club reported
that the club would be keen to take part next year and 'seeing the
girls faces light up when they chatted with other Guides about their
hobbies and pets gave us all a real buzz'
GX3WSC –
Crawley, West Sussex.
1st Broadfield Brownies
made QSL cards to send to the stations members of Crawley Amateur
Radio Club made during their two hour operation on Saturday. As
well as contacting GB4SUN they managed to talk to Jim, DF0VK in
Dortmund Germany and Terry KG8CI in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA.
GB4SUN –
South and Upper Norwood, Surrey
Nearly 120 Rainbows,
Brownies and Guides visited this station during the two days it
was on air. The station contacted six other UK TDOTA stations giving
everyone a chance to exchange greetings messages. Both Brownies
and Guides were able to work towards their World Guiding Badges,
whilst the Guides also gained their Communicator Badge. Guide, Maura
Barber who has the Amateur Radio call sign M3URA was part of the
team lead by her father Stuart, G6CJR, who enabled the girls to
also experience Echolink. One of the many activities during the
weekend was making earrings from resistors.
GB4YOU Youlbury
Scout Activity Centre, Oxford
Liz G0RJX and Micheala
M0MLG were able to complete the Bronze section of Radio Scouting
Centenary Award. Good computer connections allowed the station to
use Echolink to contact numerous stations worldwide. Micheala had
a long contact with Michelle in Australia. Both are Young Leaders
with Brownie Units, and both licensed radio amateurs; hopefully
they will continue their contacts.
Unfortunately we only
received one overseas station report.
PA6TD/J. Netherlands
Edwin, PA3GVQ writes
'I must say I enjoyed every contact, but the contacts with M3URA
(Maura) and M0MLG Michaela where quite special. It's nice to hear
young guides, getting there amateur radio license and be quite active
with thinking day'
The longest contacts they had was with MX0NSR (7 messages/45 minutes)
and GX3CO (14 messages/1:15 hours).
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