Scouts go to airways

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 312, 7 November 1989, Page 16

Scouts go to airways

BY

DONNA

MCGRATH

Expressions of intrigue and fascination appeared on loyal boy scout faces during Labour Weekend, as they took part in International J.O.T.A (jamboree on the air). Thanks to ham radio He mentioned that in operator Les Nutting

New Zealand we only have to be afraid of bugs - in Australia it's bugs and snakes. The boys, fascinated by Keith's stories and by the communication "lingo" between ham

operators, enjoyed learning about the equipment Les has had set up for 37 years. Les has found great satisfaction from his hobby which he was introduced to during his service in the army.

"It's a great reward to be able to help others through radio contact, like those in the San Francisco disaster, and also a great advantage in my retirement years in that it keeps my brain active," says Les.

the scouts were almost able to enjoy communicating with other scouts around the world. Sadly, due to aurora activity at the South Pole, communication links were broken down. The boys however did manage to speak to another ham radio operator in Newtown, Tasmania 2000 kilometres away. "Keith", the 77 year old operator, spoke individually to each scout who in turn talked about their pre -jamboree camp at Mangaweka. The boys had no hesitation informing Keith of the wind that tore down their tents and the rain that made camping very unpleasant. Keith returned to the boys stories of his camping days out in the Australian wilderness.