November HF competition
- Use roles at each station to keep cadets involved, while one operates another keeps logs.
- For larger groups, have supplementary activities at each station. Examples: use Meshtastic or APRS to play simple games such as tic tac toe or small scale battleship, have cadets draw QSL cards.
- If available, use a table reference pad that has useful things for the cadets such as the band plan, phonetic alphabet, signal report numbers meaning, and other references.
- Use a callsign reference sheet for the cadet acting as an operator. On a piece of paper, spell your call sign phonetically and write down any other info they may use repetitively.
- Know what contests, and their exchange, that are on the weekend you are participating on in November.
- If possible try to go to a park that is listed on the POTA website, and let the cadets experience being on the receiving end of a pileup.
- If you only have one HF station, only use a QRP station if it is your only option.
- Try to operate multiple bands such as 10 meters and 20 meters.
- Generate a QSO map at the end of the day if possible, especially if two stations were operating different bands and let the cadets see the range differences.
Meshtastic
- Have the cadets build a node, but have self contained nodes (that don’t require phones to operate) for them to use during the day.
- Use Meshtastic to communicate during the day if rotating stations and groups are spread out.
- Integrate games such as tic tac toe, battleship, or other simple games.
Radio Direction Finding
- If you have cadets, have them operate as teams. One cadet for aiming the antenna, one for watching the signal meter or listening for volume change, and one in charge of the map.
- Build yagi antennas before, so each team has one.
- Know how to use RDF techniques such as body blocking, using the 3rd harmonic, and attenuators if necessary.
- Have maps of the area to hand out.
- Have extra when the first maps are destroyed or lost.
Miscellaneous
- Utilize local resources as much as possible, National Weather Service for storm spotter and other classes, local radio club or ARES group for volunteers and different interests.
- Volunteers add to their QRZ page about the cadets operating and that a QSL card will be exchanged if you plan on doing one.
- Have QSL sized papers for the cadets to draw on, and have them vote for their favorite at the end of the day.
- Pick your competition Saturday in November as far in advance as possible so additional volunteers can make arrangements to help.
- Use rotating stations to minimize downtime with cadets.
- Let local groups know when you are going to have the cadets operating so they can let their members know to locally be listening. Most radio clubs and meshtastic groups have an email list, facebook or discord they use for communication and will be happy to pass the info on for you.
- Bring as much gear or equipment as possible to show the cadets especially if it you have transceivers or equipment that are very different looking.
- Try to minimize classroom time, especially power points. Get them interested in hands on activities and then talk about the licensing process or refer them to educational references at the end of the day.