As amateur radio operators, we often take for granted our ability to easily reach out to the far corners of the globe. A late evening QSO with Europe, while exhilarating, is by no means uncommon. We’ll regularly trade ‘fish stories’ about that crazy contact that we made on low power with a ramshackle antenna but rarely stop to think about just how strange a notion this would be to someone not familiar with our hobby. Double this effect for anyone not familiar with the principals of RF communication, and HF communication in particular.
Our ability to blanket the world is unique, and that uniqueness is one of the primary draws to the hobby for many of our contemporaries. We have an appreciation for the now global nature of our society because we talk to the globe every day. We’re able to promote peace and understanding because we see, on a regular basis, that just because someone isn’t from our neck of the woods that they can still share our same passions and goals. We’re fortunate for this, it’s just one more part of what makes our hobby so great.
Now, imagine an event that shares these same goals. An event designed to bring thousands of young people from those same far-flung corners of the globe that we talk to so easily together, under one proverbial roof, with the intent of fostering a sense of mutual peace and understanding. To Imagine such a momentous event, something so logistically daunting, might be difficult. I’m very pleased to tell you, though, that you don’t have to imagine at all.
Some of you may be familiar with Icom’s relationship with the Boy Scouts of America. We provide complete stations kits, via the K2BSA Amateur Radio Association, that scout troops from all over the nation can apply for and use in their various Radio Merit Badge related activities. We’ve proudly been providing these stations since 2012 and, in that time, we’ve seen the program grow and achieve much success. Along the way, we’ve also lent support to scouting events like the annual Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) as well as to the National Scout Jamborees which have taken place in that time.
This year was different. This year, the United States had the honor of hosting not just a National Jamboree, but the World Jamboree. Like the Olympics, the World Jamboree only happens once every four years. Also, like the Olympics, a different nation hosts the event each time. 2019 marks the first time the event has been in the United States since the early 1960s. It’s a big deal. As with previous Jamboree events, Icom was able to provide support to ensure that Amateur Radio had a place on the world’s stage.
I was fortunate enough to visit the World Jamboree just as it was kicking off. I got to see Scouts from all over the world stream into The Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, a world-class venue, needless to say, to begin ten days of fellowship and adventure. There had been heavy rain recently and mud clung to nearly every passing person from the knees down. Even still, I saw young men and women from opposite ends of the world meet and embrace like old friends after a long separation, their spirits high. After all, a little mud can’t keep a good scout down. They came together like a family–no strangers for miles. The forecast for the week was nothing but sunshine.
Right in the heart of all of the activity, visible from the main stage and from much of the event ground proper, stood a farm of antennas. In the tent below, Icom radios, one for each HF band and some for VHF/UHF as well. All of the stations were in constant use by scouts being guided by members of the K2BSA group whom themselves represented a respectable handful of different nations. They operated as NA1WJ: North America, World Jamboree.
The radio tent buzzed with talk as instructors spoke to the scouts about various aspects of Amateur Radio. Explaining about propagation, band conditions and proper on-air etiquette. I watched as many of the scouts made their first-ever contacts, most often on HF, and received a commemorative QSL card for their effort to take home as a keepsake. Their eyes would light up as the station on the other side of the airwaves came back to them. Their attention would snap to their instructor for verification that it was their time to speak and, more often than not, they would jump on the mic with great zeal. One young man from Germany was able to make contact with his home country while I watched. “That’s just a few kilometers from where I live!” he exclaimed as he finished up his conversation. He and his friends were still buzzing about it as they walked down the path away from the tent.
I only spent a short time at the World Jamboree, one day out of many during the event, but I took a lot away with me. To see our hobby on the world’s stage at such a prestigious event was humbling. I saw thousands of people from dozens of nations come together to share their common cause with each other. I saw, right in the heart of it all, proof-positive that Amateur Radio bridges gaps and brings people together. I saw volunteers who had come from all over the world share their expertise and passion with the next generation.
For the love of Ham Radio.
– Will
To check out the event report, click here.
To view event sponsors, click here.
