Off-air contest in action

Our day began with the usual routine of a delicious breakfast and a quick team leader meeting to recap yesterday’s fun and get ready for the day ahead. Afterwards, we dove into the technical side of ham radio with a presentation by Pavel OK7PM. He started with the basics of how radios work and then took us on a journey into the world of Software Defined Radios (SDRs). We learned about the differences between SDRs and traditional radios, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. While it was a bit more technical than our usual activities, it was still fascinating to learn about the technology behind our hobby

Our minds were transported back to the 1920s for our next presentation. Dana OK1ZKR shared the incredible story of the airship Italia, which crashed in the icy expanse of the Arctic. This dramatic tale highlighted the crucial role of radio communication in emergency situations. Despite the challenging conditions, the crew’s SOS calls triggered a massive rescue operation, ultimately saving lives. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of radio communication and our hobby.

After the intercultural evening yesterday, we learnt a lot about the culture of all the different countries participating. But to get to know more about our host country Czechia, Klara took us on a journey through the country’s rich history, geography, and culture. From historical landmarks to traditional cuisine, we learned a wealth of information about our host country. We even received a handy souvenir guide, making it easier to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones back home. It was a great way to appreciate the beauty and diversity of Czechia.

After a morning filled with presentations, we enjoyed a longer lunch break to get some food and to recharge our batteries and spend some quality time with our new friends. Once we were refreshed, we delved into the world of antennas with a presentation by Jiří OK1RI. We learned about fascinating topics like propagation, radiation lobes, polarization, SWR, impedance matching, and the importance of ground conditions. It was a bit technical, but it definitely expanded our knowledge of this essential aspect of ham radio. Afterwards we headed outside for a group photo and team pictures. Gathering everyone for the perfect shot took a bit of time, but it was worth it to capture these memories. Of course, we also took team pictures and even more, as it was just super fun to get pictures with our new friends and all the different flags from so many different countries. We already felt some drops during the photoshots, but luckily we stayed dry during that. Only on the way back, when just arrived at the lecture hall, heavy rain started to kick in.

Back inside and mostly dry, we kicked off the last lecture session for the day with the first round of team presentations. Each team had prepared a short presentation about ham radio activities for young people in their home country. It was fascinating to learn about the diverse ways that different countries engage young people in our hobby. From

established clubs to innovative projects, we were truly inspired by the creativity and passion that we saw there! And as the afternoon quickly passed, it was already time for dinner.

As evening program we had the famous Off-air contest. As the name suggests, no radios were involved! Instead, our voices became our tools. In a big room, we prepared three rows of chairs, imitating the 20m, 40m and 80m band and a big clock so everyone can log the time. Everyone started occupying frequencies, walking around, shouting for qsos. From speakers and some organisors we had some QSB and try to make our QSOs through this noise jungel. It was like a real-life pile-up, but with no actual radio waves! Even though it was a new experience for many of us, it was incredibly fun and challenging. Now everyone awaits the results of the contest to see who won.

Energizing ice breaking games in the morning

Our first day at the YOTA Camp was packed with fun, learning, and new friendships! We kicked off the day with breakfast and a quick team meeting to get us ready for the adventures ahead.

With participants hailing from all corners of the globe, our camp was a melting pot of cultures, languages, and new faces. To kickstart the bonding process, we dove right into energizing icebreaker games, helping us break down barriers and build a strong group dynamic from the very start.

Our first workshop took us to a nearby building where we met up with Milan OK2IMH for an in-depth look at SMD technology. We learned all about surface mount technology, different types of PCBs, and the fascinating process of bringing a circuit board to life. It was mind-blowing to see how a machine can place a whopping 45,000 components per hour!

Exploring SMD components on PCB

Our next adventure was a deep dive into ARDF, an exciting sport that combines orienteering with radio direction finding. The introduction was given by Pavel and Simon. We watched thrilling competition videos, learned about the history of the sport, and got a hands-on look at the equipment. With a clear understanding of the maps, rules, and how the receivers work, we were ready to put our skills to the test in the afternoon workshops.

A snapshot of audience from todays lectures and workshops

After a quick lunch break, the excitement reached new heights as we dived into our workshop rotations! Divided into six groups, we got to experience a variety of activities. First up, we had the ARDF workshop, where a team had hidden transmitters, or “foxes,” in the surrounding area. Our mission was to find them using our radio direction-finding skills.

ARDF in action

For those eager to master Morse code, there was a dedicated workshop led by Honza OK1JD. Using whistles and interactive games, we learned how to send and receive those iconic dots and dashes. The QTH operating workshop was a dream come true for aspiring radio operators. Under the guidance of experienced hams, we got the chance to practice our skills on the airwaves.

Operating at the camp QTH

To keep the team spirit high, there was also an icebreaker workshop filled with fun and engaging activities. For the creative minds, we had a rocket building challenge hosted by Ana EI5IXB. Using paper materials, we constructed our own rockets and competed to see whose would fly the highest. The record for the day was an impressive 50 meters! Finally, we had a unique Lego challenge that tested our communication skills. Partnered up, we had to build identical Lego creations without seeing each other. It was a fun and challenging way to work together.

Playing the Lego Radio game

Even though everyone was already hungry after all the workshops, there was no dinner planned for the night! We embarked on a culinary and cultural journey around the globe – it was time for our intercultural evening, one of the highlights of the camp, showcasing the incredible diversity of our ham radio community. With participants from so many different countries, we knew we had to celebrate our unique cultures. Each country brought a special dish, snack, or piece of traditional clothing to share. The result was a mouthwatering spread of flavors and a vibrant display of cultural heritage. From savory delicacies to sweet treats, there was something to tantalize every taste bud. It was amazing to try food from countries we’ve never visited before and learn about the stories behind each dish. We’re so grateful to everyone who contributed to this unforgettable experience! This evening brought us even closer together as a community, fostering a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of cultures within our hobby. It was a reminder that while we may speak different languages and come from different backgrounds, our shared passion for ham radio unites us all. And how exciting the international aspect of this hobby can be!

Intercultural Evening – find more pictures of it in our dedicated gallery!