TOTA in Action: Army Cadets Discover Amateur Radio
Date :
09 /
09 /
2026
Author :
WIA National News
Young people at the 237 Army Cadet Unit in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales recently had the opportunity to experience amateur radio as part of a Command Post Exercise at the Wollondilly RSL Sub Branch Hall. The activity was highlighted by Alan VK2COD in the WIA National News Broadcast, reporting on the work of his brother and young amateur Alec VK2MV, together with Bob VK2ADF, Tony VK2VIC and Pete VK2LP. The weekend provided a practical example of TOTA, Teenagers On The Air, taking amateur radio beyond the shack and putting radio skills directly into the hands of young people.
The Cadets operated as VK2OCC during the WIA Remembrance Day Contest, learning both the mechanics of contest operation and the important history behind the event, which commemorates Australian radio amateurs who lost their lives during World War II. The radio activities also reinforced skills directly relevant to the Cadets' Command Post Exercise, particularly radio procedure, discipline, brevity, clarity and accuracy. Amateur radio provides an ideal environment for developing those skills because there is a real station at the other end of the contact.
The weekend also moved outside for some hands-on radio direction finding. Alec VK2MV planned and supervised a fox hunt in which Cadets used RDF equipment to track down a hidden transmitter. Combining operating, contesting, radio procedure and direction finding demonstrates just how broad amateur radio can be as a practical STEM activity. It also shows the value of young amateurs such as Alec sharing their knowledge with other young people. Thanks to Alan VK2COD for bringing the activity to the attention of WIA National News, and congratulations to Alec VK2MV and the other amateurs who supported the Cadets. With YOTA Month and the VK YOTA Contest coming up in December, there are plenty of opportunities for Australian clubs to think about how they too can put amateur radio in front of the next generation.
VK YOTA Contest - Link
YOTA Region 3 news and activities - Link
YOTA Oceania Facebook Group - Link
YOTA YouTube channel - Link
Image sourced from the YOTA Website.
Page Last Updated: Tuesday, 08 Sep 2026 at 18:57 hours by Justin Giles-clark
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