Scouting in Greenock and District

Scout Amateur Radio Club

The Radio Club was set up in late 2006 by Bob Lynch – GSL of 10^th Greenock & District Scout Group and Fellowship members George & Kai McClintock, who are all keen amateur Radio enthusiasts. The Club were successful in being granted an Awards for All Grant, and this was used to help set up the club.

During the Centenary Year of Scouting, the Radio Club were involved in many radio activities throughout the District and beyond. Special Event stations have been held at many outdoor activities throughout the District including

· Greenock District Scouts Centenary Camp

· International Museums on the Air

· The Scout Association Sunrise Ceremony

· The Greenock District Scouts Centenary Exhibition

· The 50^th Scout Jamboree on the Air

Some of our club members, including one who had just successfully completed her training as a result of this project and obtained an Amateur Radio licence, were invited to operate the special Scout World Jamboree Radio Station at Chelmsford, England. This station not only communicated with the Space Shuttle but also provided a radio experience for the 28,000 young people – girls and boys, aged between 14 and 17 – and 12,000 adult leaders from more than 150 countries who attended the World Jamboree.

During 2008 the club members have increased with Explorer Paul McCann & Scout Stefan Rennie becoming the first youth members from Greenock District to gain an Amateur Radio Licence. Paul & Stefan have helped the club in many of the Special Event Stations held over the last 6 months.

During 2008 the Radio Club has been involved in the following activities

· The Guide Associations Thinking Day on the Air (TDOTA) – Renfrewshire Guides County Commissioner was a special visitor to the Station and sent a Thinking Day Greetings message to other guides using the radio.

· Renfrewshire Guides Annual County Camp – with over 100 Guides & Leader sending a greetings message using the radio

· International Museums on the Air – Stefan Rennie (new Foundation Licence holder) made his first contact as an Amateur Radio Operator with a climber from the top of Ben Lomond who was taking part in Summits on the Air (SOTA).

· Greenock & District Scouts Hardie Webster Camping Competition – The Club provided the radio as an activity Base during Saturday for the first time in the history of the competition.

Events coming up in the near & far future that the club will be involved in are

· James Watt College Centenary Celebrations

· Greenock & District Scouts JOTA (Jamboree of the Air) 17^th/18^th/19^th Oct at Everton Lodge, Inverkip.

· The Guide Association Thinking Day on the Air (TDOTA) (21^st/22^nd Feb 2009)

· Greenock Division Guides Centenary Celebrations (2009-2010)

· Amateur Radio Direction Finding (Radio Orienteering)

Get involved in the popular Amateur Radio hobby now. Contact Bob Lynch for more information.

Click on the image below and view a selection of photographs.