The IARU Youngsters-on-the-Air (YOTA) Camp provides a wonderful opportunity for children and youths all over the world who are interested in amateur radio to gather together and participate in hands-on activities, gain more understanding about ham radio and the countless applications that it can offer, whilst building lasting friendship with participants from other countries in the region.

Figure 1. Youngsters at the 1st IARU R3 YOTA Camp in Pattaya, Thailand

The IARU Region 3 was going to held its first R3 YOTA Camp back in October 2020, however that was inevitably postponed because of COVID-19 outbreak. Now that the pandemic is behind us, the 1st IARU R3 YOTA Camp was finally held on 27-29th October 2023 at Thammasat University (Pattaya Campus), and hosted by the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST).

Figure 2. Seminars conducted at the 1st IARU R3 YOTA Camp
(Top Left) Mr Pichai Suwanankijboriharn, Deputy Secretary-General of Academic of Office of the NBTC described the roles of the national regulatory body
(Top Right) Dr Charles Symons (HSØZPZ) introduced ARDF antennas and how to build Field Strength Meter
(Bottom Left) Prof Umnart Sathanon (E25GGT) lectured about physics and astronomy.

Over 40 youths from 7 different countries including Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, attended the 1st IARU R3 YOTA Camp. The purpose of the event was to:

• ●Build future leaders and ambassadors for amateur radio
• ●Equip young people with the skills needed to stimulate similar activities in their home countries
• ●Understand what amateur radio is, how to become a HAM operator, and their roles and responsibilities
• ●Understand the roles of IARU and national amateur radio societies
• ●Gain a broader understanding of the many aspects of amateur radio including electronics, antenna system, ARDF, Amateur radio satellites, digital mode, emergency and space communication
• ●Develop mutual understanding of other cultures
• ●Develop English language and presentation skills.
• ●Team building

Figure 3. (Top Left) Youngsters from Singapore and (Top Right) Malaysia,
(Bottom Left) Mr Wisnu Widjaja (YB0AZ), Former Chairman of IARU Region 3 Directors from Indonesia presented JOTA, JOTI and YOTA activities in their home countries.
(Bottom Right) Dr Jack Hantongkom (HS1FVL) presented awards to the youngsters

The YOTA Camp was honoured to have the following distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony and celebrated the first Region 3 IARU YOTA Camp to be held in Asia-Pacific:

• 1. Mr Pichai Suwanankijboriharn, Deputy Secretary-General of Academic of Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)
• 2. Dr Wahyudi Hasbi (YD1PRY), Chairman of IARU Region 3 Directors
• 3. Mohd Aris Bernawi (9M2IR), IARU Region 3 Director
• 4. Dr Jack Hantongkom (HS1FVL), IARU Region 3 Director
• 5. Wisnu Widjaja (YB0AZ), Former Chairman of IARU Region 3 Directors

Figure 4. Atmosphere of the youngsters taking turns operating SSB under E2YOTA at the 1st IARU R3 YOTA Camp in Pattya, Thailand, on 27-29th October 2023

Pattaya is located 150km to the South East of Bangkok. The youngsters including their guides and leaders started to arrive in Thailand on 26th October 2023 between 13:00-18:00 local time. RAST meet-and-greet teams were on standby at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airport to receive the guests, and organized shuttle buses to take everybody directly to ECO Hotel by Thammasat University Pattaya to rest for the night.

Figure 5. Atmosphere from the hands-on activities: Electronics and building Field Strength Meter

Figure 6. Atmosphere from the hands-on activities: Electronics and building Field Strength Meter

The Opening Ceremony for the 1st IARU R3 YOTA Camp was conducted on 27th October 2023 by Dr Wahyudi Hasbi (YD1PRY), Chairman of IARU Region 3 Directors, and Mr Pichai Suwanankijboriharn, Deputy Secretary-General of Academic of Office of NBTC. From 13:30 – 22:00, the youngsters attended seminars and some hands-on activities:
-   Why are we here? What’s Amateur Radio?
-   Satellite theory and hand-on operation
-   Stargazing, group A, B and radio operation, group B, A

Figure 7. Atmosphere from amateur radio satellite communication via QO-100 under the callsign E2YOTA

On the second day, the youngsters spent the entire day enjoying more amateur radio related projects as well as sightseeing:

• -   Electronic fundamental, fun with field strength meter and make you own 2 meters Yagi antenna
• -   How to set up amateur radio station, safety requirement, ready to make the first QSO with you own antenna.
• -   ARDF
• -   Pattaya city sightseeing bus tour
• -   Dinner buffet on Pattaya beach, followed by a small farewell party where all participants enjoyed the last evening together.

Figure 8. Team building exercise for the youngsters

29th October 2023 was a half-day and final day for the youngsters, and in the morning, they attended lectures about:
-   Finally how to become an amateur radio?
-   Train the Trainer program

The 1st IARU R3 YOTA Camp draw to a close with a final Q&A session followed by the Closing Ceremony. Everybody travelled back to Bangkok in the afternoon and arrived at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang Airport by 18:00 local time.

Figure 9. Atmosphere at the 1st IARU R3 YOTA Camp in Pattaya, Thailand

Figure 10. Dr Wahyudi Hasbi (YD1PRY), Chairman of IARU Region 3 Directors, presenting the certificates to the youngsters who participated in the 1st IARU R3 YOTA Camp

Special thanks go to the IARU Region 3, RAST, and all the staff who have dedicated their time to ensure that this 1st IARU Region 3 YOTA Camp was well-attended and was a success. All the activities were met with enthusiasm and excitement by the kids, and everyone departed with a better understanding of what amateur radio is and how they too can become involved. Thank you to HS2UPR who have captured all the photos used in this article, and it is with much hope that there will be many more of such activities for the youngsters in the future. See you all at the next IARU R3 YOTA Camp!

More information about the event can be found at www.iarur3yota2023.com