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Australian Report

44th Jamboree On The Air &5th Jamboree On The Internet

October 20 & 21 2001Stephen Watson National Co-ordinator, JOTA/JOTI

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2001 AUSTRALIAN JOTA/JOTI REPORT,

By Stephen Watson, National Co-ordinator JOTA/JOTI

Index:Pages2-4 A summary of the year5-8 Text of speeches in the National JOTA/JOTI Address9-10 World Bureau National Report form11-14 The activity. A summary of the weekend15-16 An amazing contact with the International Space Station17 Recommendations

THE YEAR

JOTA/JOTI CONFERENCEThe 8th National JOTA/JOTI Conference, held from the 6th to the 8th of January during theJamboree at Cataract Park, was very successful. Involving nine participants from Scouts andGuides Australia it was a valuable exercise in sharing ideas, establishing goals, and formingworking relationships.

The first day included presentations, reports, and resource sharing by JOTA/JOTI Co-ordinators. The second day focussed on discussion SWOT analyses of JOTA and JOTI wherewe examined all aspects of the activities in detail. The day commenced with a live InternetRelay Chat link up with Richard Middelkoop, World JOTA Organiser, in Holland. On the finalday we worked on improving publicity and promotion, and discussed current issues and plannedfor this year's activity.

The success of the Conference was due in no small part to effective planning and preparation,our sponsor 'Save Money Nowra', my assistant Ross Tutin, and the participants themselves.The 9th National JOTA/JOTI Conference is to be held at the 20th Australian Jamboree atWoodhouse South Australia in 2004.

WORLD JOTA REPORTIn an unprecedented move the 2000 World JOTA Report was made available by download fromthe World JOTA site at the end of January, less than a month after the deadline for NationalReports. Australia features prominently and I am very pleased with the coverage and materialthat has been published. National Office is printing and distributing the report.

SCOUTS.COM.AUJOTA/JOTI content was totally reviewed and expanded for this year's activity. I consider thismeans of communication the best way of reaching Youth members and the new content wasaimed at appealing to them. JOTA/JOTI information was fully updated by the start of May.Details are arranged by clickable headings and presented in non-technical terms. The site wasfully updated for 2002 in November

RADIO SCOUTING AT XXWJI am planning to attend 20WJ as staff of the AmateurRadio Station, have applied to join the AustralianContingent and have been assisting the World JOTAOrganiser with planning of the station. Preparationswill commence soon.

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The Amateur Radio Station will be significant to Australian Scouts as Thailand is in the SouthernHemisphere and is only three hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time, and one hourbehind WA. Contacts with the Jamboree Station will be relatively easy and I will be suggestingthat Groups join in with the help of their JOTA operator.

JOTA/JOTI Co-ordinator TeamTwo new JOTA/JOTI Co-ordinators were welcomed to the team, one Scout and one Guide.Ross Tutin takes my role as QLD Branch JOTA/JOTI Co-ordinator, having served as myassistant. Joanne Weeks has been appointed Guides NSW Radio and Technology Consultantfollowing the retirement, after many successful years in the role, of Maralyn Johnson. FaithCook, Guides SA resigned and her role is not yet filled.

Branch Co-ordinators are updated with current information through a weekly amateur radio andelectronics newsletter, a National JOTA\JOTI Bulletin as required, and receive all World Bureauconceptual information. In accepting responsibility for a technology role within Scouts or GuidesI have insisted that team members have a basic email and Internet skills. All information to theteam is distributed via email or references to sources at websites.

In the absence of a Guides Australia Counterpart I have included the Guides Australia team withthe Scouts Australia National JOTA/JOTI Team for co-ordination purposes.

Throughout the year I have tried to develop pride and enthusiasm within the team, and havekept them up to date with all news, issues and resources. I have tried to engage them indiscussion and have sought input on many policy and future planning issues.

LANDMINE AWARENESSI obtained and conducted the activity 'MINES! An awareness game on the problem of anti-personnel mines' which was introduced by the International Commissioner at the March 2001Operations Committee. A report on the activity was published in Australian Scout.

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCEI participated in the International Commissioners Conference held in Melbourne from 17 - 192001. It was a wholly worthwhile exercise as I was able to meet other members of theInternational Team and the Branch Commissioners, International and now have a goodunderstanding of our participation in international Scouting.

2001 JOTA/JOTI BADGE23,200 badges were ordered and delivered in 2001,up by 2,200 on last year, which indicated confidenceon the part of Scout and Guide JOTA/JOTI Co-ordinators for increased participation this year.

E SCOUTING ARTICLESStarting in May 2001 Australian Scout magazine has featured an E Scouting article in eachedition. The current article plus an archive of past articles are now available on line atwww.scouts.com.au in colour and with live links to the featured sites. The aims of the article areto: showcase ways of participating in International Scouting, increase use of the internetthroughout Scouts Australia, encourage regular visits to www.scouts.com.au, demonstrate thevalue of internet proficiency amongst Section Leaders, publicise useful program resources, andpromote Radio Scouting, JOTA, and JOTI.

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NATIONAL JOTA/JOTI ADDRESSThe National JOTA/JOTI Address was produced copied, distributed and made available on theInternet as a Real Audio file. As with last year the Address was heard as a broadcast and/ordownloaded through www.scouts.com.au. I acknowledge and thank the assistance of thefollowing: Chief Scout of Australia, the Patron of Guides, the Chief Commissioner of ScoutsAustralia, the Chief Commissioner of Guides Australia, Richard Miller, the Wireless Institute ofAustralia QLD Division, Scout Petah Ritson from Camira Scout Group, Branch CommissionerYouth Activities (QLD Branch) Ian Lighbody, and the many broadcasters throughout Australia.Graham Kemp VK4BB with the resources and studios of 4TAB was instrumental in the totalsuccess of the Address and I extend my gratitude to him.

PUBLICITYThe cover of the October edition of Amateur Radiomagazine published by the Wireless Institute of Australiafeatured two Scouts from Pioneer Park Scout Group withGavin Reibelt, President of the Townsville Amateur RadioClub. The September edition featured a two-page article onJOTA, written from the amateur operator's point of view.

2007World JOTA Organiser Richard Middelkoop put forward theidea that in 2007 the dates for JOTA could be changed tocoincide with the World Jamboree in August. Seeking theviews of my team I was presented with a range of opinions.I responded that Australia would not at this stage support thechange of dates for 2007. The reasons: Cold weatherthroughout much of Australia during August, JOTA shouldcelebrate it's 50th birthday in 2007 in it's own right such asWorld Scout Day in 2007 when we will be celebrating the150th birthday of our founder, our enviable position of havingJOTA cemented in the amateur calendar as well as our own, JOTA would be intruding anddisplacing or would be displaced by other activities, many JOTA organisers would be involvedin planning and participation of the World Jamboree.

We would support and encourage Radio Scouting and Internet Scouting activities throughoutthe World Jamboree as part of the 'Join In Jamboree' program.

WORLD JOTA GAMEWorld JOTA Organiser Richard Middelkoop also asked if we require a World JOTA game asthere had not been good support in past years. There was no game organised for 2001. Therewas very little response from the team to this issue but the general answer was that a game isnot required. I have attempted to publicise the game in previous years but have had noindication of participation in Australia. From my own experience any one Youth Member hasinsufficient time for participation.

We would support any simple quick activity that would enhance acontact and encourage conversation. Such as a card that could beprinted and given to each youth member with a number of blanksto fill out about his/her new radio friend eg email/postal address,name, Scout Group, age, section, interests etc. Such a card wouldbe a keepsake and would have some basic JOTA detail as doesthe current participation card. At the end of the weekend eachScout would be able to hold up their card on parade, proud of theirnew friend, rather than forgetting their contact. This would alsowork for JOTI.

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ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR PETER HOLLINGWORTHGOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

AND CHIEF SCOUT OF AUSTRALIA

ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OFTHE JAMBOREE-ON-THE-AIR AND JAMBOREE-ON-THE-INTERNET

SATURDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2001

It is my pleasure to address you for the first time as Chief Scout of Australia.

Given it's 44 years of operation, the concept of holding a Jamboree over the radio, andnow on the Internet, is remarkable. Without the need for travel you are able to make friends,exchange ideas, learn about life in other parts of Australia and the World, and experienceinternational Scouting and Guiding.

In this year of our Centenary of Federation, Jamboree On The Air and Jamboree On TheInternet brings us together as a Nation. Participants can take part from their home town atcampsites, Scout Dens, Guide huts, libraries, or schools. It is the largest activity in WorldScouting and Guiding and it's also the only International event in which all Sections may takepart simultaneously. This is equally true for Australia.

So it's is fitting that I should acknowledge the efforts of our volunteer Leaders andAmateur Operators not just in this, the Year of the Volunteer, but because of their contributionover many years. You are well aware of the work done by your Leaders and I would like you toespecially thank them.

You may not be aware of the volunteer work of the Amateur Radio Service, a group ofhighly skilled and dedicated people, whose level of skill and communication networks arefrequently relied upon in times of emergency. In North Queensland for example, Amateuroperators use Jamboree On The Air as an opportunity not only to assist Scouts and Guides butto test their portable equipment that may be called upon during the approaching cycloneseason. Australian amateurs also often assist with disasters in other countries wherecommunication systems have been destroyed. So please make sure that you thank yourAmateur Radio operator, and your computer operator, for their help this weekend.

At my Scout formal investiture as Chief Scout of Australia scheduled for November this year Iwill be promising 'to do my best'. I trust you on your honour to do your best also.

And finally to each of you, good Scouting and good Guiding.

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ADDRESS BY MRS HOLLINGWORTHPRESIDENT OF GUIDES AUSTRALIA

ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OFTHE JAMBOREE-ON-THE-AIR AND JAMBOREE-ON-THE-INTERNET

SATURDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2001

I extend my greeting to all the Guides and Leaders around Australia. It is a pleasure to betalking to you in my new role as President of Guides Australia. I hope I will have the opportunityof meeting many of you over the next few years. I will certainly be looking out for the Guide logowhen I attend functions with young people.

One of the most exciting experiences for Guide members is to meet girls in Guiding or GirlScouting from other countries, and to discover they have so much in common. Every year girlsand adults attend events, meetings and camps, or take part in service projects in other countrieswith members of other Guide or Girl Scout organisations.

In June this year, members from 22 countries in the Asia Pacific Region of WAGGS met inBrunei to discuss important World issues and also to get to know their neighbours better. Thisis one of the most diverse Guiding Regions in the World with great differences in cultures and itmakes for much greater understanding when we can meet and talk together and learn aboutone another. Guides from overseas attended the Odyssey camp in Melbourne in January thisyear, and Australian Guides were delighted to meet their Guiding sisters from the United Statesof America, England, Singapore, New Zealand, and Malaysia.

Not all of us can travel and meet others face to face, even in Australia, but through the wondersof technology we can talk on the radio, meet over the Internet, and take advantage ofopportunities such as this to learn about others their cultures and their Guiding and GirlScouting experiences. I hope, over the next few hours you enjoy the opportunity to meetGuides and Scouts from different parts of the World.

Thankyou.

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ADDRESS BY DR BRUCE MUNROCHIEF COMMISSIONER OF SCOUTS AUSTRALIA

ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OFTHE JAMBOREE-ON-THE-AIR AND JAMBOREE-ON-THE-INTERNET

SATURDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2001

Hello everyone and welcome to JOTA and JOTI. This is the 44th Jamboree On the Air and I amBruce Munro, Chief Commissioner of Scouts Australia. It's exciting for me to be opening thisactivity involving so many Scouts and Guides in Australia.

JOTA and JOTI are the largest International Scouting events in the World. Last year almost halfa million Scouts participated in this activity. It is a great and inexpensive way for Scouts andGuides to be involved in a truly International activity. I'm glad you all have accepted thatopportunity and that you look forward to the challenge of talking to as many Scouts and Guidesin as many other countries as possible over the next two days. There are about 40 millionScouts and Guides in 216 countries and territories in the World. JOTA and JOTI provide all ofthese Scouts and Guides with the opportunity to exchange greetings, learn about each otherand each other's country and culture, to swap ideas, and to make new friends. Theseexchanges help us all understand the diversity and the richness of people and their culturesthroughout the World and are continually strengthening Scouts major contribution to WorldPeace. There's no doubt the events in the USA in September emphasise this need.

In conclusion on behalf of all Scouts I would like you to welcome His Excellency the RightReverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australianas Chief Scout of Australia and to this, his first JOTA and JOTI. Further I would like to thank HisExcellency and Her Excellency Mrs Hollingworth for their support and encouragement and theirpersonal involvement in this opening today. I would also like to thank all those radio andcomputer operators around Australia who have been very generous in giving their time to makethis weekend one of fun, excitement and learning for all Scouts.

My very best wishes to all, have a great weekend.

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ADDRESS BY MRS MANDY MACKIECHIEF COMMISSIONER OF GUIDES AUSTRALIA

ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OFTHE JAMBOREE-ON-THE-AIR AND JAMBOREE-ON-THE-INTERNET

SATURDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2001

Hello everyone. This has been a year when Australians have celebrated the International Yearof Volunteers, however the harsh reality of the less pleasant aspects of volunteering has beenbrought home to us all in the US where heroic contributions have recently been made bythousands of volunteers.

The terrible events in New York on September the eleventh have reminded us all of the fragilityof Peace. It is at a time like this that we need to remind ourselves how important it is to worktowards peace wherever we are. One of the greatest tools to build an atmosphere of trust andPeace is open and honest communication, which helps create attitudes of tolerance andacceptance. It is by knowing each other better that we understand each others issues andpriorities. Baden Powell wrote: 'One thing is essential to general and permanent Peace, andthat is a total change of spirit among the peoples, a change to closer mutual understanding tosubjugation of National prejudices, and the ability to see with the other fellow's eye in friendlysympathy. The World has such a long way to go in achieving this, but Guiding and Scoutinghave an amazing opportunity to these friendships through our network of 35 million peoplearound the World. I hope that you will all have the opportunity to speak to or communicate with,someone from another country during the Jamboree and that in this way you pass on andreceive messages of friendship and goodwill.

This is my last message as Chief Commissioner for Guides Australia for JOTA so I take thisopportunity to wish all of you the very best for your future involvement in Guiding and Scouting.The programs and the opportunities available to members of our organisations have so much tooffer young people and adults to make them become fulfilled and happy contributing membersof their communities. Each one of you makes a positive difference in the life of others every dayjust by keeping your promise.

Goodbye.

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44th Jamboree On The AirNATIONAL JOTA REPORT

<this report form is intended for National JOTA Organizers only, not for individual Scout groups.>Scout/Guide Association :Scouts AustraliaCountry :AustraliaNational JOTA Organizer (NJO): Stephen Watson callsign:VK4SGWEmail: jota.joti@scouts.com.au packet-radio bbs: nilNJO postal address: 39 Swales St, Mundingburra QLD 4812, Australia

This information will be included in the JOTA (e)mailing list.

The Jamboree-On-The-Air is a world-wide event, organized and experienceddifferently everywhere. Please share your experiences, ideas and suggestions with us in the boxesbelow. Feel free to include extra pages if needed. Write your information in English, French, German,Dutch or Spanish, whichever is more convenient to you. Note that other languages cannot be processed.

Contacts were made with Scout stations in the following countries: r by radio (R) r by internet (I)I R I R I R I Rr r Algeria r r El Salvador r r Kenya r X Solomon Islandsr r Argentina r r Egypt r r Latvia r X SlovakiaX X Australia r X Fiji r r Liechtenstein r r SloveniaX r Austria r r Finland r r Luxembourg X X South Africar r Azores X r France r X Malaysia X r Spainr r Bahrain X X Germany r X Malta r X St. Helena Isl.X X Belgium r r Greece r r Mauritius r r St. Vincentr r Bolivia r r Ghana r X Mexico r r Surinamr X Brazil r r Guatemala r r Morocco r r Swazilandr r Brunei r X Galapagos Is r r Namibia r X Swedenr r Bulgaria r X India r X Oman r r TurkeyX X Canada r r Honduras r r Neth. Antilles r X Switzerlandr r Central African Rep. r r Hong Kong X X Netherlands r r Syriar X Chile r r Hungary X X New Zealand r r Tanzaniar r China Republic r r Iceland r r Nigeria r X Thailandr r Colombia r X Indonesia r r Norway r r Trinidad & Tobagor r Costa Rica X X Ireland r X Papua New Guinea r r Ugandar X Cuba r r Israel r X Pakistan X X United Kingdomr r Cyprus X X Italy r X Peru X r United Statesr X Czech Rep. r r Jamaica r X Philippines r r UruguayX X Denmark X X Japan r r Poland r X Venezuelar r Dominica r X Korea r r Portugal r X World Bureau, HB2Sr X East Timor r r Jordan r r Romania r X Yugoslaviar r Ecuador r X Kuwait r X Russia r r Zambiar X Estonia r X Marshall Islands r r Senegal r r Zimbabwer r r r*Internet contacts are educated estimates only.

Number of participants: JOTA: radio-only; JOTI: internet only; mix: both radio and internet.number of stations Scouts Guides Radio operators internet operators visitors

JOTA 108 3000 500 108 -- 500Mix station 159 7000 1000 159 159 600

JOTI 145 6000 1000 -- 145 550Are non-licensed Scouts allowed to speak over the radio? X Yes r No

Did you use the information on the WOSM JOTA web site? X Yes r No

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Please describe your JOTA weekend: e.g. the most exciting contact, funny situations at JOTA stations or heard onthe air, JOTA activities and ideas you liked best.

Most exciting contact: Attached story entitled 'Is anyone out there' written by a Venturerabout her contact with NA1SS.

Favourite activities:

SSTV - Using the program MMSSTV it is easy to send colour photos quickly. Theprogram uses the computer's soundcard. A lot of fun, a conversation starter, holds Scoutsinterest, photos can be real time using a digital camera or webcam. It uses SSB enablingconversation between images.

Kit building - An excellent on-site activity.

Demolition - Hours of fun. Surplus and junk electrical equipment, some tools, someScouts. Scouts will destroy/dismantle the junk and scavenge any useful bits and pieces.Electric motors and fans can be shown to work by connection to radio power supply orbattery.

Computer Building - Assemble a computer, including the inside parts, and get it up andrunning. Expert assistance, instruction, and supervision required. A great learningexperience.

Your other comments /suggestions:

Replace JOTA game with a modified participation card. Card would include spaces to fillin basic details about the Scout with whom they spoke eg Name, Country, Group, Groupemail address etc. This would enhance the contact and encourage conversation. Alsoprovides a memento of their contact and new radio friend.

Make a sheet of the cards downloadable so that stations can print their own before JOTA.

Please supplement your report with the following things (mark boxes when included):X photographs; r drawings, cartoons and/or logo suggestions;

r computer disk with additional text; r newspaper cuttings of the event in your own language;

X any other comments or suggestions (use separate pages).

Email this form, together with any attachments, via your Scout or Guide Association to :

World Scout Bureau: JOTA@world.scout.orgor directly to the report editor: RMiddelkoop@world.scout.org (note: max file size is 500 kb)

In case you cannot use email, send your report by postal mail to:Richard Middelkoop, Cornelis van Ramshorstlaan 13, NL-3863 AZ Nijkerk, The Netherlands.The World Scout Bureau assumes that all materials received are free of copyrights and may beused for publication.

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THE ACTIVITY

This year saw a lot more publicity throughout the yearusing traditional and innovative means. An E-Scouting article in each month's edition of themagazine Australian Scout showcased JOTA andJOTI and the use of the Internet and radio in supportof the youth program. The articles also feature on theScouts Australia website www.scouts.com.au as wellas extensive JOTA/JOTI information.

Changes to participation trends were: a significantreduction in Amateur Radio operators available tosupport JOTA stations, an increase in JOTI activity, adecrease in JOTA-only stations, and a significant reduction in support and participation byGuides Australia. A disappointing number of Australian Guide and Scout JOTA/JOTI Co-ordinators did not prepare a report. Overall participation numbers, 20 000, are similar to lastyear.

In recognition of the Australian Centenary of Federation celebrations this year's badge featureda Federation star in the centre and the badge was green and gold. We welcomed a new ChiefScout this year and his support of JOTA and JOTI through his participation for the first time inthe National JOTA/JOTI Address. The Address was broadcast throughout Australia on AmateurRadio and was available to download in MP3, Real Audio, and streaming audio via the ScoutsAustralia website thanks to production and distribution by Graham Kemp VK4BB.

The most exciting contact of the weekend was made by a Group of Venturers in Sydney whenthey contacted the International Space Station NA1SS. An article written by one of theVenturers is attached and is also available through www.scouts.com.au

Slow Scan TV, fox hunting, kit building and electronic equipment dismantling were favouriteactivities. Using the free program MMSSTV colour images can be sent with the ease of emailusing the computer's soundcard and add to the excitement of a JOTA contact.

The midnight check-in, described by Peter Martin later in this report, is a long-standing traditionfor real enthusiasts who stay up until midnight on Friday to be the first to call CQ JOTA. Aremarkable story came from South Australia where an operator drove for 5 hours from Adelaideto a remote small community in the driest state in Australia to enable Scouts to participate inJOTA for the very first time.

It was rather disappointing that only eight out of the sixteen Scout and Guide Branch/StateJOTA/JOTI Co-ordinators furnished me with a report. Following are summaries of the receivedreports:

Ross TutinScouts Queensland

Official figures at time of writing of this report, 2149, indicate that we have had a similarparticipation pattern as last year. The figures in the 2000 report included estimated figures fromstations known but had not reported to the Branch Coordinator via the official "Our JOTA/JOTI"report form. To combat the problem, the JOTA/JOTI Badge Order Form was changed toaccommodate information in regard to figures from Groups who order badges.

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One thing that the figures show, that is encouraging, is thatthere is participation for quite a lot of Formations (Groupsand Districts). Over 90 formations participated this year,with some Scout Groups having nearly full participation bytheir members. Regional areas of Queensland tend tohave an District event (Mackay, Maryborough andSunshine Coast are good examples while besides theBranch HQ base at BP Park, Brisbane and the Gold Coasttend to have individual group or section participation.

The figures also show that there are some Areas/Regionswho had little or null participation that is either reported or known. Some formations do notreport in or tell the Branch Coordinator that they are participating in the Jamboree.

The Queensland Branch HQ JOTA & JOTI base at Baden-Powell Park in Samford went verysuccessfully with over 200 members participating in the camp organised by the Youth ActivitiesTeam. The youth members were mainly Joey Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts.

There were 6 computers on-site loaned from Business Computing Australia for the weekendand 8 amateur radio operators assisted the running of radio station VK4SAA. Plenty ofAustralian and overseas contacts were made throughout the weekend.

Carol DuckeringGuides Queensland

There was little support for JOTA this year, only 8 callsigns requested, but apparently someoperators used their own callsigns. I am waiting for reports to see just how may have done this.Operators are getting older and don't want to be bothered with JOTA and there doesn't seem tobe any younger operators coming on. It would be a shame not to have JOTA as the Guides areinterested in Ham Radio. It is a very different and a lot can be learnt from these operators -such as how to become an operator, workings of frequencies worldwide. Hopefully we will getsome more callsign requests next year.

John Vincent VK2YBVScouts NSW

Several bases in NSW ran on a district basis with a lot ofGroups attending. These seem to be the most popular with theyouth members with a lot of activities to keep them busy allweekend. Kit building was popular at all the bases that includedit.

I have received more reports than I did last year but need toimprove a lot more. Several bases just sent their logs and noother info.

The Scoutlink Chat server network reported over 230,000 siteslogged into the system worldwide. A large number of thosesites will have had multiple computers.

I spent the weekend at the Hawkesbury base at BowenMountain. There were about 200 youth members there with 2

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HF sites 1 VHF 1 Packet & Internet. the kit built was the snooper microphone built into a toyplastic gun and a dish reflector. The Venturers went off with the older Scouts on Saturday to findthe pieces of a supposed downed satellite using direction finding receivers. They then decodedinformation found in the satellite and radioed that info back to the main base.

Joy Savill VK3HEIGuides VIC

This year I had lots of enquiries from all corners of the state due to the talks given at our annualOutdoor conference and activities I had at Camp Together 2000 (State camp held as part ofCentenary of Federation). I also sent each Region Leader update information as soon as I had itdeveloped. I did not get as many as I had hoped taking part but this may have been due to thetiming of the weekend as it was only 4 weekend after Camp Together 2000 at which 1000 of thekeenest Guides and Leaders took part. The increase in JOTI was because of this becausemany of the Leaders informed me that they did have time to plan a JOTA station but wantedJOTI information as that was what they felt they could handle at short notice.(Our own WesternDistrict Camp had to be postponed until next year due to lack of numbers).

A few of the reports show that contacts were made with other Victorian units but these otherunits have not reported their activities. Many of this years reports were written on ordinary paperrather than a report form so perhaps this is getting through that if you don’t have a form yourreport will be accepted in another form. Some even sent their reports as e-mails. Why not?

The comment on the Opening ceremony of not being able to receive it perhaps needs lookinginto. I tried from here but even though it was audible at times it would have been difficult for agroup to tune in. To reply from this area would have been impossible.

All things considered the weekend was enjoyable for all those who participated and we justneed to keep it in front of the people planning the yearly program so as they will slot it in and notput activity weekends or meetings on this weekend in the future as happened this year.

Andrew Naylor VK7HINScouts Tasmania

On the whole, a similar number of JOTA stations to last year operated in geographicallywidespread locations. Southern Region had 4 district based stations, operating fromGeeveston, Woodbridge, The Lea, and Seven Mile Beach. Northern Region has stationsoperating from Prospect, Scottsdale, Tamar Bend, Exeter and Alanvale. Northwest Region hadstations at Zeehan, Burnie and Ulverstone. 14 JOTI stations operated throughout the state.

Congratulations must go to Clarence District for the large attendance at their district base, andto the West Coast district for obtaining the largest number of contacts made, both overseas andAustralian destinations. Thanks must also go to the Branch Activity Leaders who have helpedwith co-ordination, and of course to the amateurs whom without their generosity the event wouldnot have happened.

Elayne RansleyGuides Tasmania

Most units used the On-Line Centres across the state. I feel more units took part and I haven'treceived a report from them at this stage. Good contacts were made world-wide. Bellerive

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Guides contacted a 17 year old Scout in Holland who kept chatting all afternoon our time, allnight there. One contact in Sydney didn't know what 'Tassie' was. A contact in Japan wasasked a question in Japanese, being very clever, but the response wasn't understood. Manysuccessful contacts were made. A note from one parent says 'I was very impressed with thelevel of supervision in the chatrooms during JOTI - most reassuring for parents'.

Peter Martin VK6JAEScouts Western Australia

On Friday night we in Western Australia have what we call the “Midnight Check in” for the diehards who have to be some of the first to call CQ JOTA.This is started by Dennis VK6KHD from our Scout Camp Site at Manjedal in Byford, south ofPerth. This year we only had 3 check ins on our 80 mtr freq.

On Saturday the National broadcast went to air on time with 10 VK6’s and 17 VKx callbacks.The call back stations reported 340 Scouts / Guides listening to the broadcast.

All amateur radio operators in WA who helped out with JOTA will receive 1 Cloth Badge, 1Metal Badge and a Certificate for the International year of the Volunteer as well as theParticipation Card and JOTA / JOTI Badge.

Frank Turnham VK8FTScouts Northern Territory

The Northern Region held a combined Guide and Scout camp at the youth camp site nearDarwin River. There is no record of individual group or unit or visitor attendance but the overalltotal would be over 120 persons. The weekend camp theme was communications.

A JOTA station was set up using the call of VK8BP operating HF and VHF. Starting up onSaturday morning HF conditions were very poor but improving later in the day.

This year we introduced a new concept into JOTA this was IRLP whereby our local repeater147.00 was linked to the internet thus providing good quality contacts interstate and overseas.This facility was provided by Alan VK8ZAB who maintained a permanent internet connectionthroughout the weekend.

One minor problem that occurred at the start of operations on HF, we discovered that the rotatorwould not travel through it's full circle. This was fixed when Phil VK8PT climbed up 72 ft to fix it.

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“Is anyone out there...”A Message from the Stars

On the 20th October 2001 when most people are fast asleep and the owls and possums arewide-awake, a lone group of Australian Venturers, 3rd Rose Bay Judean Scout Group (with afew members from 1st Kingsford), participated in JOTA (Jamboree On The Air). JOTA is anannual affair and very fun but this time an extremely rare but exciting conversation with thecommander of the International Space Station, Frank Culbertson, took place while the spacestation flew over Australia for around 10 minutes.

The rendezvous was very rare as the astronautsrarely have time to speak to amateur radiooperators, but since JOTA is a global network anda special experience they decided to join in. We(the Venturers) eagerly picked up the signal of theISS at approximately 11:42pm on Saturday night.After trying to get hold of the space station forabout 3 minutes we finally made contact withthose in the galaxy far far away! The thought oftalking to astronauts high up in space seemed likesomething out of a fairytale but our dreams hadluckily come true! We made contact after sending

a few signals which sounded like "NA1SS" (ISS radio call sign), this is VK2BV (our radio callsign) calling out for JOTA, this is VK2BV is anyone out there?". After a few unsuccessful trieswe were finally able to personally address the commander himself, and for the next 10minutesminutes had a very fast paced but exciting conversation.The 1st question we asked him was in relation to his star signs, after reading about male starsigns in a women's magazine earlier that afternoon. We found out that the commander was aTaurus. How interesting!

Following this, each of us Venturers quickly thought up questions to ask the commanderregarding many topics of interest, such as what the commander does in his free time in the wayof entertainment and what the purpose of the expedition was.

During our conversation we obtained thefollowing information. Frank Culbertsonenjoys using his email, listening to tapesand watching movies in his free time, andof course admiring the wonderful view thatlies out the window of the space station.Frank responded to the question of "how'sthe view?" saying that "It's really amazingup here!" We also found that the space Station follows Greenwich Mean Time and travels atmind boggling speeds of 8km a second, which explains why we were only able to speak to thecommander for 10 minutes while the Station raced over "our land down under" [actually. AnAdelaide group led by VK5ZAI was saying goodbye just as they came over head-]. So far, the expedition had lasted 71 days and the Station's crew is expected to land back hereon earth on the 10th December 2001. At the time of the conversation, the Station was at analtitude of 310km.

We found out the commander's routines consisted of getting up at 6am and going to bed at10pm in between performing laboratory experiments on the effects of "Zero G" on HumanBeings. As part of the expedition, Frank is also participating in his 1st spacewalk, which will takeplace in 2 weeks, although 2 spacewalks have already been carried out by other members of

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the space station. In response to the question we asked him about homesickness, MrCulbertson said that “I do miss my friends and mostly my kids and wife but keep myself busy bywriting emails, listening to tapes and watching movies.”

We made the comment that we were all very jealous of him having the opportunity to live inspace. In response to this he said "we wish there were more people up here!"He was very impressed with the questions that we had put together which made theconversation both interesting and entertaining for both camps.

The following morning we were informed that we werepossibly the first Australian JOTA group to makecontact with the space station via radio. This indeedexcited us considering that we were competing withother scout groups around Australia wanting to speakto the International Space Station, on Saturday nightas it passed over Australia. Surprisingly, we were theonly JOTA group that had called up the ISS in thetime it passed over Australia, so we were able tospeak to the commander for the entire 10 minuteswithout any other competition or interference. It waspretty amazing to think that we were able to look up tothe heavens and say that we spoke to astronauts. The reception between both radios was(contrary to our beliefs) very good and was crystal clear, with the response time just as quick asif we were talking to someone on a telephone. The only difference being that we were talking toa space Station high above our heads. It was a wonderful experience and we considerourselves very lucky to have been able to witness and participate in such an amazing event!

Trudi ArnoldVenturer, 3rd Rose Bay (Judean), JOTA 2001

Greetings,

I am the Radio Amateur assisting at the time the 3rd Rose Bay Venturers contacted the ISSduring JOTA. My callsign is VK2RF, but we used the Waverley Amateur Radio Society's callsignVK2BV. More info about the club is available at http://www.vk2bv.org

After establishing contact with Frank Culbertson, who used the station's callsign NA1SS, Ihanded the mike over to Nick, the first Venturer to dare speak. After that everyone eagerlywanted the mike to ask questions. Everyone managed to have a go. About 5 minutes into theexchange, Frank said he would like to see if there was any other station wishing to speak, so wesaid goodbye. However, after he called QRZ a few times with no reply, he called VK2BV back,and the questions and answers continued for about another 5 minutes. When the signal starteddegrading, Anna very excitedly said the final thankyou and goodbyes, and after a shortresponse thanking us for the interesting questions, he was gone. At 28,000 kph it had been anamazingly busy ten minutes. Then there was a breathless pause as all the participants realizedthey had just spoken to the Commander of the International Space Station in orbit directly, oneto one, without any complex procedures or regulation. Then the elated and exulted prancingand conversation began. Everyone, including me, was on a high for a week! This was one ofthe rarest and special experiences of a lifetime! (and was also my first contact with the ISS!) 73and best regards.

Raffy ShammayVK2RF

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REOMMENDATIONS

1. Reporting

The overall level and quality of reporting by State and Branch JOTA/JOTI Co-ordinators must beimproved with most reports consisting of a paragraph or two. In order for me to prepare aNational Report I require detailed reporting containing photos, statistics, anecdotes,observations, plans, conclusions, preparations, and opinions etc. Many Co-ordinators chosenot to submit a report.

2. JOTA/JOTI 2002

The theme for this year's JOTA/JOTI in Australia will be the 'Year of the Outback'. As there is tobe no commemorative YOTO badge produced this would be an ideal way for members toparticipate in YOTO nationally. I have applied for recognition of JOTA/JOTI as an official YOTOactivity Australia-wide.

JOTA stations and JOTI bases will be encouraged to use an outback theme for their activities.Suggestions will be: pedal generators and solar power to charge the batteries that power theiramateur radio, RFDS, Cubs and Scouts of the Air, outstation radio, fundraising for the work ofoutback services such as RFDS or Frontier Services, and promoting and explaining the outbackand Australia to overseas contacts.

3. XXWJ

Members will be encouraged to participate in the World Jamboree through amateur radio.

4. Websites

Some Branch JOTA/JOTI websites were not updated with this year's content until the weekprior to the activity and some remain with old content. An important opportunity to promote theactivity is being lost.

5. National Initiatives

National Initiatives such as the National JOTA/JOTI Address are not being promoted by someBranch JOTA/JOTI co-ordinators.