Broadcast - 25 Oct 2026
JOTA is over for another year.
Numbers were down on last year’s attendance, evidently due to the fact that JOTA/JOTI weekend happened to coincide with the last weekend of the school holidays. With families returning from holidays and children from school camps, it must have been decided that one more outing would be too much. Participants mainly came from groups in the greater Launceston area this year.
Those attending were very “engaged” and interactive across all the activities, especially Fox Hunting, and UHF CB walkie-talky “Hide and Seek”.
One highlight, and a new activity for this year, was live SSTV, thanks to Colin VK7ZCF. He brought along his portable “shack in a case” setup and demonstrated live Slow Scan TV. Colin walked participants through taking pictures of JOTA activities, downloading to his computer, editing the image, attaching relevant callsign and information to images then sending over the airwaves. Tony VK7AX opened the SSTV international gateway for the JOTA event, so our images even left Tasmania, via the gateway to Europe. All SSTV activities were displayed on the clubs large screen wall monitor, the images from the Netherland successfully generating much discussion from the viewing audience. The Slow Scan TV concept and images were of particular interest to the older participants, engaging them as well as their leaders, definitely a winner Colin.
Thank you to Jim VK7JZ, for the IRLP interlinking between Hobart and Launceston, also his patience in keeping his and our groups engaged in over the air conversations. DMR saw a lot of activity during the day with many conversations to Canberra, VK1 and Ipswich, VK4.
The Northern Area Rover Crew did an excellent job conducting the JOTI or the internet side of things as well as assisting with the smooth passing of groups through all activities during the day.
Thanks to Phil VK7ZPD and Paul VK7KPA who, at very, very short notice, were able to setup and configure a video channel on the clubs Discord platform. This allowed for a two way video link from the club rooms to Peter VK5KDO in South Australia. This was especially “cool” for the Norfolk Plains group as Peter was their Group Leader for many years, before he moved back to South Australia.
Also thanks to Ian VK7IH, Tony VK7ZTT, Tony VK7YBG, Idris VK7ZIR, Andre VK7ZAB and Stefan VK7ZSB for their efforts. It was excellent to see NTARC members giving up their time to help with this long running scouting event.
Mug Order - yes, we are talking about the white mugs for drinking out of, those that have our club logo on one side, personalised with your name and call sign on the other. We are placing another order so if you would like one then please email secretary@ntarc.net to place an order. Please specify what name is to be printed above your call sign. The final price will be about $15, depending on eventual quantity ordered.
As usual pictures will be available on the NTARC Web site under “Blogs” for this broadcast. NTARC Blogs
UPCOMING EVENTS
CW course - Every Wednesday night, on 3.580 MHz from 7 to 7.30 pm. Your CW Coach for the evening is Nic, VK7WW.
On Air Test and Technical gathering - Wednesday nights, on 3.567 MHz from 7.30 pm.
Club Room Technical night - The next session will be this Wednesday the 28th October and will commence at the usual time of 6.30 pm at the Club Room Archer Street, Rocherlea.
Coffee Morning - Held every Friday in the NTARC Club rooms. Time is from 10 am to noon.
Finally - If you have any items of news please email them to the Secretary at the following address news@ntarc.net all items to be received no later than 5 pm on the Friday prior to the Broadcast.
That’s all folks,
73, Stefan VK7ZSB.
