Upcoming Activities!
Get ready for an action-packed year, ZS1CCR! We’ve got a fantastic line-up of events designed to challenge your skills, foster camaraderie, and introduce new enthusiasts to the incredible world of amateur radio.
Youth & Scout Radio Competition and Field Day
We’re kicking off the season with a dedicated event aimed at our youth members and local scout troops! This will be a hands-on field station outing combined with a friendly radio competition.
Expect:
• Introduction to Amateur Radio: Basic theory and practical demonstrations.
• Antenna Setup Workshop: Learn how to quickly deploy and optimize field antennas.
• Operating Practice: Guidance on making contacts, logging, and proper radio etiquette.
• Competition: A low-pressure, fun competition designed to encourage participation and skill development among our younger operators.
• Mentorship Opportunities: Experienced club members will be on hand to guide and support.
This event is perfect for introducing young minds to the excitement of radio communication and building essential skills in a supportive environment.
HOTA & POTA Activations - Exploring Our Heritage
Throughout the year, we’ll be embarking on several activations focused on the popular Parks On The Air (POTA) and the lesser-known but equally engaging Heritage On The Air (HOTA) programs.
• What are POTA/HOTA? These programs encourage amateur radio operators to set up temporary stations in designated parks (POTA) or at significant heritage sites (HOTA) to make contacts worldwide. It’s a fantastic way to combine our hobby with exploring beautiful locations and historical landmarks.
• Scheduled Activations: Keep an eye on our calendar for planned trips to various national parks, nature reserves, and historical sites across the region. We’ll be looking for volunteers to help with setup, operation, and logging.
• Skill Development: Great opportunities to practice portable operations, battery power management, and working with challenging propagation conditions.
August Lighthouse Activation - Shining a Light on Amateur Radio
Mark your calendars for August, as we plan our annual Lighthouse Activation! This event is part of a global celebration of lighthouses and lightships, showcasing their historical importance and providing a unique platform for radio operations.
• Iconic Location: We’ll be setting up our station at a prominent lighthouse (location to be confirmed) to make contacts from this special site.
• Public Engagement: A chance to interact with the public, share our passion for amateur radio, and demonstrate the capabilities of our equipment.
• Special Event Callsigns: We’ll aim to obtain a special event callsign for this activation, making our contacts even more unique.
We’re excited about these activities and encourage all members to get involved, whether you’re a seasoned operator or just starting out. More details on specific dates, locations, and sign-up sheets will be shared soon. Let’s make this a memorable year for ZS1CCR!