Scout Radio Activities Group
Jamboree Of The Air - JOTA
Event details
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The Jamboree Of The Air is an annual event in which Scouts and Guides all over the world speak to each other by means of amateur radio contacts. Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared, via the radio waves.
JOTA badges through the years. From 1989 to... |
Waiting for a turn on the radios
When Scouts want to meet young people from another country they usually think of attending a World Jamboree or another international gathering. But few people realize that each year about half a million Scouts and Guides “get together” over the airwaves for the annual Jamboree On The Air (JOTA). Modern communication technology offers Scouts the exciting opportunity to make friends in other countries without even leaving home...
Since 1958 when the first Jamboree On The Air was held, thousands of Scouts and Guides have “met” each other through this event. Not only is it fun to talk to Scouts from other parts of the world but it provides also a chance to find out about other countries and about Scouting elsewhere. Many contacts made during JOTA have resulted in pen pals and links between scout troops that have lasted for many years.
With no restrictions on age, on the number that can participate and at little or no expense, JOTA provides an opportunity for Scouts and Guides to contact each other by amateur radio. The radio stations are operated by licensed amateur radio operators. Many Scouts and leaders hold licences and have their own stations, but the majority participates in JOTA through stations operated by local radio clubs and individual radio amateurs. Today some operators even use television or computer linked communications.
The world wide Jamboree On The Air is organized to coincide with the third full weekend of October each year. The event starts at midnight local time on the Friday and concludes 48 hours later at midnight local time on the Sunday. Each station can choose its own operating hours within this period.
Visit the World Jota site at: www.scout.org/jota
Visit the Australian Jota site at: www.international.scouts.com.au/main.asp?iMenuID=9071085
SRAG Participation
Our main JOTA operations are at the Scout campsite “Woodhouse” in the Adelaide hills.
Several of our members organise and run JOTA radio stations for their local Scout Group.