The East Kootenay Amateur Radio Club (EKARC) in partnership with the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) enabled the Cranbrook 4th Cub Scout group to join the annual Scout JOTA (Jamboree on The Air).

The Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) is an annual scouting event that uses amateur radio to link scouts around the world, around Canada and in their own community. Held on the third full weekend in October, this world-wide jamboree requires no travel, other than to a nearby amateur radio shack, Scout meeting place, camp or community centre.

The RDEK opened the doors of its EOC (emergency operations centre) October 21, to allow the radio operators and members of the EKARC to operate their emergency communication equipment located in the EOC and get the Cub Scouts on the air.

Although the Cub Scouts had only a few opportunities to talk to other Scouts, several ham radio operators from around the globe, gave the Cub Scouts an opportunity to experience radio communications that can span the world. A great time was had by one and all. Big thanks to Terry Balan RDEK EOC Director.

The East Kootenay Amateur Radio Club is the second oldest radio club in North America and was established in 1935. The club is an integral part of the RDEK EOC and volunteers from the EKARC man the Emergency Communication Centre anytime the EOC is activated. The EKRAC was on site at the EOC during the wildfire season of 2018.

If you are currently a licensed ham radio operator or would like to be one or you are interested in experiencing the world-wide communication this hobby can offer, please contact us. We can be reached at [email protected] or come out to one of our meeting held every second Saturday of the month at 4300 Wilks In Cranbrook.

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