When Scouts want to meet young people from another country, they usually think of attending a World Jamboree. But few people realize that each year more than 400,000 Scouts and Guides "get together" over the airwaves for the annual Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA). Modern technology offers Scouts the exciting opportunity to make friends in other countries without leaving home.
JOTA is an annual event in which Boy and Girl Scouts and Guides from all over the world speak to each other by means of Amateur (ham) Radio. Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared via radio waves. Since 1958 when the first Jamboree-on-the-Air was held, millions of Scouts have met each other through this event. Many contacts made during JOTA have resulted in pen pals and links between Scout troops that have lasted many years.
With no restrictions on age or on the number of participants, and at little or no expense, JOTA allows Scouts to contact each other by ham radio. The radio stations are operated by licensed amateur radio operators. Many Scouts and leaders hold licenses and have their own stations, but the majority participate in JOTA through stations operated by local radio clubs and individual radio amateurs. Some operators use television or computer-linked communications.
JOTA is held the third weekend in October of each year. JOTA takes place starting Saturday at 0000 hours local time (12:00 AM) to Sunday, 23.59 hours local time (12:00 PM), though some activity continues over from Friday to Monday to take advantage of long distance (DX) time differences.
First, contact a local Amateur Radio operator or club to ask for assistance. If you need help finding a club in your area check the ARRL Affiliated Club Search page. The FCC's list of amateurs and clubs in your area (enter your zip code only) can be found here. Radio amateurs are enthusiastic about their hobby and most will be willing to help you participate in JOTA. The radio operator may suggest that the Scouts visit his/her station or that the operator bring equipment to your local campsite. Often, JOTA stations are set up in unusual locations, such as the top of a mountain, or on a boat.
Ham radio operators have obtained a radio transmission license by passing an exam given by national authorities. License conditions vary from country to country. In some, Scouts may speak over the air: in others, special permission can be obtained for Scouts to speak over the radio during JOTA. Please consult the list of Third Party Traffic Agreements.
Radio operators run their stations in accordance with their national licensing regulations. For a review of control operator rules consult the ARRL website.
Stations should call "CQ Jamboree," or answer stations doing so. Any authorized frequency may be used. It is recommended that stations use the agreed World Scout Frequencies, listed elsewhere in this document. To avoid congestion, use close-by frequencies.
JOTA is not a contest. The idea is not to contact as many stations as possible during the weekend.
All participating groups are asked to send a report of their activities to their National JOTA Organizer (NJO) and to ARRL HQ after the event. See addresses listed elsewhere in this document. NJOs forward national JOTA reports to the World Scout Bureau for the World JOTA Report.
Although the worldwide JOTA is organized in October, Scouts can meet on the air at other times during the year. Regular Scout nets (a pre-arranged time and frequency when operators meet) are organized nationally or regionally. An updated list of these nets can always be found in the latest World JOTA Report, which is published by the World Scout Bureau.
The World Scout Bureau operates its own Amateur Radio station, with the call sign HB9S. There is a permanent radio room in the Bureau's Geneva offices, and the station is regularly on the air during Scout nets and JOTA weekends. Transmitters are on the 10/15/20 meter, 160/80/40 meter and (in the Geneva area) the 440/2 meter bands. Making contact with HB9S requires patience, as many stations call at the same time. Please follow instructions given by the operators and do not interfere with on-going contacts. They speak in as many languages as possible.
Each licensed Amateur Radio station has a unique identifier known as a "call sign." The first letters specify the country. Here are call signs of well-known stations that can often be contacted:
To prepare for JOTA consider doing the following:
Before the event:
During the Event:
After the Event:
Band |
SSB (phone) |
CW (morse) |
80 m |
3.690 & 3.940 MHz |
3.570 MHz |
40 m |
7.090 & 7.190 MHz |
7.030 MHz |
20 m |
14.290 MHz |
14.060 MHz |
17 m |
18.140 MHz |
18.080 MHz |
15 m |
21.360 MHz |
21.140 MHz |
12 m |
24.960 MHz |
24.910 MHz |
10 m |
28.390 MHz |
28.180 MHz |
6 m |
50.160 MHz |
50.160 MHz |
Please note that the World Scout Frequencies have partly changed per 1 July 2007. This is caused by several reasons. The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has changed its band plans, among others to create space for more digital transmissions. Some Scout frequencies are affected by this. Traditionally, Scout Frequencies were chosen in a segment where low-power, simple stations are transmitting (QRP). This allows Scouts to operate such stations from camp sites and still be able to communicate with others. Some of these frequencies have changed over time. The amateur radio bands are increasingly busy with competitions. With the Scout frequencies chosen outside of the contest segments as far as possible, Scout stations can operate undisturbed.
Post a report on your JOTA activities and share your photos on our JOTA story page!
The official site for the most current JOTA information sponsored by the World Scouting Organization is www.scout.org/jota
You’ll find additional resources at ARRL’s JOTA resource page.
Postcard-size certificates are free and are available to anyone participating in any way. They may be ordered beforehand for presentation during the JOTA, or they may be awarded at Scouting or amateur radio club meetings later. Send requests to Jamboree-on-the-Air Certificate Cards & Patches, S221, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079. All orders must be received by December 31 of the year for which certificates are ordered. Please allow 3 - 4 weeks for delivery.
Temporary insignia to wear on the right pocket of the Boy Scout uniform or on jackets/vests are available again for $4.00 each, postpaid. Insignia are available in limited quantity only and will not be reordered when supplies are exhausted.
|
An activity participation patch is now available to any Girl Scout who participated in the 2007 Jamboree On The Air (JOTA), or Jamboree On The Internet (JOTI). This is a new design to honor the GOLDEN JUBILEE of the JOTA. This year's patch measures 2.5" x 5".
This is an activity patch which must be worn on the back of the uniform.
Please send $3.80 check or money order per patch (s&h inc.) to:
Girl Scout JOTA / JOTI Patch
Stanley ND GS Service Unit
PO Box 172
Stanley, ND 58784-0172
Please make checks payable to: "Girl Scouts JOTA / JOTI Patch"
The 2006 patches is still available for the price of $3.50 each (s&h inc). Please list the number of patches for each year that you would like when ordering.
For more information contact: gs.jotajoti_patch@yahoo.com or visit http://gsjotajoti.cjb.net
American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
Education Services Department
Email jota@arrl.org