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Ham Radio Volunteers Took the Airwaves to Camp Meriwether Scouts This Summer

William Stearns
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Ham Radio Volunteers Took the Airwaves to Camp Meriwether Scouts This Summer

This summer, volunteer amateur radio operators from the Portland Amateur Radio Club and the Hoodview Amateur Radio Club staffed a fully-equipped radio van at Camp Meriwether, giving hundreds of Scouts their first taste of ham radio. 

The van — transformed by volunteers from a retired TV news vehicle and topped with a 50-foot pneumatic telescoping mast — was on site every Wednesday throughout the camp’s summer season. It carried HF and VHF radios, a rotatable dipole, a 2-meter j-pole, and a GeoChron live world-map display that doubled as a teaching tool for the camp’s nature program. Sourced and organized by Arley Pitts (KE7ANY), a radio enthusiast and an adult member of Troop 124, the radio van drew attention from everyone who hiked down the main camp road to and from activities. 

Camp Meriwether, on the Oregon coast in Tillamook County, is operated by Cascade Pacific Council of Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) and hosted roughly 2,500 Scouts and 1,000 adult leaders this summer. Interest was strong, with 115 Scouts completing the Radio Merit Badge and more than 550 van visitors being introduced to amateur radio over the summer. 

Volunteers Tyrell Jentink (KD7TKJ), Amber Jentink (KD7ALJ), Russ Mickiewicz (N7QR), Eric Polson (N7EJP), Jack Fidler (N7UQS), Ken Milnes (AI7LF), Ryan Tashma (KK7YUH), Bill Hortsch (NW7VW), Mike Van Grunsven (W7MVG), Dennis Doolittle (WB7UJF), Jeff Phillips (KI7OEK), Arley Pitts (KE7ANY), and Jim Hill (K7KEY) helped with setup and/or covered shifts each week, with hands-on ratio operations and foxhunting demonstrations a favorite with the Scouts each week. 

Organizers say the program was about more than one merit badge — it gave hundreds of Scouts a hands-on introduction to the hobby over the course of the summer. Camp Meriwether’s ham radio program is expected to return next year, and clubs interested in getting involved are welcome to reach out. 

The council is working to form a STEM-related Scouting Radio committee to support this project as well as JOTA, Field Day, and other activities and is looking for hams to get involved. Anyone interested in learning more or volunteering next summer, or getting a ham van for their organization, can contact Jim Hill (K7KEY) at jimhill.K7KEY@gmail.com 

Jamboree On The Air 2026 – Help Scouts Connect Worldwide!

William Stearns
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Jamboree On The Air 2026 – Help Scouts Connect Worldwide!
The largest Scouting event in the world is just around the corner! Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) 2026 will take place from October 16–18, 2026.
Every third full weekend of October, millions of Scouts across the globe connect using amateur radio. For many young people, this event serves as their very first introduction to the excitement of wireless technology and the global amateur radio community.


How You Can Participate:

  • Amateur Radio Operators (Hams): Reach out to local Scout units, offer to set up a station at a camporee, or invite a troop to your ham shack. Explore the JOTA Guidelines for Amateur Radio Operators to help optimize your setup.

  • Scout Leaders: Connect with a local ham radio club to create a memorable hands-on experience for your youth. Review the JOTA Guidelines for Scout Leaders to seamlessly plan your weekend.

  • Everyone: Official registration is officially open! Make sure to sign up and grab resources directly through the official JOTA-JOTI Web Platform.

Don’t forget to review our JOTA Station Planning tool and download the Radio Scouting Quick Reference Card to keep essential frequencies handy during the event. Let’s make this year’s theme—A Peaceful and Inclusive World—come to life across the airwaves! If you haven’t ordered your patches, be sure to check you local scout shop or the online shop here.

2026 National Jamboree Update

Rob Hoitt
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2026 National Jamboree Update

The K2BSA team has been hard at work throughout the 2026 National Scout Jamboree, introducing Scouts from across the United States—and even a few international visitors—to the excitement, technology, and opportunities of Amateur Radio.

Each day from 0800 to 1700 local, our operators have been active on 17, 20, and 40 meters, as well as VHF/UHF and D-STAR, making contacts with stations around the world. Much of our operating has been on the new Icom IC-7300 Mk.II transceivers, generously loaned by our outstanding partner, Icom America. Their support extends well beyond the Jamboree, as these radios will become part of the Icom Scouting Loaner Program, helping even more Scouts discover Amateur Radio long after the event concludes.

Education has also been a major focus of our operation. Since the Jamboree began, the K2BSA team has conducted two Radio Merit Badge classes every day, with most sessions welcoming approximately 20 Scouts. Participants are able to complete all of the requirements for the Radio Merit Badge during a single class.

We’re also excited to report the success of our first Volunteer Examiner session, where three new Technician licensees and two new General Class operators earned their amateur radio licenses. In addition, K2BSA has hosted a daily net at 1930 local, bringing together amateur radio operators serving on staff as well as campers from across the Summit.

Our on-the-air operation will continue through 1500 EDT on July 30, when we’ll begin dismantling the station until the next National Scout Jamboree. Until then, listen for K2BSA on the air, and be sure to follow our website and social media channels for more updates throughout the event.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our incredible team of volunteers, whose dedication makes this operation possible, and to our amazing partner, Icom America, for their continued support of Scouting and Amateur Radio.

#NatJamboree2026 #K2BSA #Scouting #AmateurRadio #HamRadio #Icom #IcomAmerica #IcomEverywhere

5 Days Until National Scout Jamboree

William Stearns
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5 Days Until National Scout Jamboree

Our entire team is either on their way (or working on it) to the National Scout Jamboree where the K2BSA will be active from July 22nd through July 31st. Please stay tuned to our website and social media presence for more information as we work on this project.  This operation is funded not only by our team of volunteers, who have to pay to be here, but our amazing partner Icom America that always delivers success to the operation. Enjoy our featured image which was very pleased scout that was working a contact on 20m on the Icom IC-7300.  We’re fortunate to experience another upgrade this operation, Icom has updated all the BSA Kits that are available for loan operations, to the IC-7300 MK2.   #NatJamboree2026 #Icom #IcomAmerica #AmateurRadio

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