Scouts learn radio

The Bella Vista Radio Club got together with Boy Scout Troop 3410 for the 60th annual Jamboree on the Air Saturday, Oct. 21.

“This is an interesting introduction to a very different form of technology for these guys,” scoutmaster Tom Pitts said. “These are analog and very resilient, providing service during hurricanes and other natural disasters.”

The Jamboree on the Air, according to the Boy Scouts of America website, is a global event and the largest single scouting event in the world and sees communication amongst scouts all over the globe.

Radio club technical officer Steve Werner said that, at one point, he and the scouts made contact with people in Spain.

This, he said, was a good opportunity to share his hobby, and it’s also a chance to practice setting up a communications station — something the club takes seriously because it also works with the city for emergency communications.

Club member Will Kessler brought his son, scout Luke Kessler, who already has some understanding of radio.

Luke Kessler said he’s working on his own radio operator license and he gets on the air in those rare occasions an unlicensed individual can do so.

This was a good time, he said. Jack Fellenzer, the public

information officer with the radio club, said that this was the first time, but the radio club will be doing the Jamborees annually now and working with different scout groups in the area.

Additionally, he said, while there are other requirements the troop will have to meet, the club may be able to help scouts earn a radio merit badge down the road.

“Obviously, the purpose is to introduce the scouts to amateur radio,” he said. “This was just kind of a first-time meet and greet with the scouts.”

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Bella Vista Radio Club technical officer Steve Warner, left, operates a radio unit while Scout Luke Kessler talks into the handset. Radio club member Will Kessler watches his son handle the radio alongside fellow club member Frank Majdan.

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Scout Trey Park, left, sits and talks with fellow scout Michael Pitts, radio club technical officer Steve Werner and club member Frank Majdan. Repeater trustee Fred Lemley sits in the background, to the left, along with radio club treasurer Marc...

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Boy Scout Trey Park, left, works with fellow Scouts Thomas Kemp and Michael Pitts to set up a radio antenna.

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Radio equipment was spread across the table when the Bella Vista Radio Club worked with Boy Scouts for the 2017 Jamboree on the Air.