| II -- JOTA: Information and Ideas |
| What Is JOTA? |
When Scouts want to meet young people from another country, they 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). JOTA offers Scouts the exciting opportunity to make friends in other countries without leaving home.
JOTA allows Boy and Girl Scouts and Guides from all over the world to speak to each other via Amateur (ham) Radio. Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared via radio waves. Many contacts made during JOTA have resulted in pen pals and links between Scout troops that have lasted many years.
Many Scouts and leaders hold ham radio 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.
| When |
JOTA is held the third weekend in October. JOTA always begins Saturday at 0001 hours local time to Sunday 2359 hours local time, though some activity continues over from Friday to Monday to take advantage of long distance (DX) time differences.
| How Do We Take Part? |
First, contact a local Amateur Radio operator or club to ask for assistance. If you need help finding one, contact the Educational Activities Department at ARRL HQ at (860) 594-0301. 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. For free Girl and Boy Scout brochures, contact the ARRL.
| Rules |
Radio operators run their stations in accordance with their national licensing regulations. 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. In the USA, FCC makes no distinction between "greetings messages" and other types of third-party traffic. This means during JOTA, US hams must still abide by the third party agreement.
Stations should call "CQ Jamboree," or answer stations doing so. It is recommended that stations use the agreed World Scout Frequencies listed a bit later. Once contact is made, it is advisable to move to a nearby frequency to avoid congestion.
All groups are asked to send reports and pictures of their activities to their National JOTA Organizer (NJO) at BSA Headquarters, and to ARRL HQ after the event. http://www.arrl.org/ead/jotalog/
Although the worldwide JOTA is organized in October, Scouts can meet on the air at other times during the year. Regular Scout "nets" (pre-arranged times and frequencies when operators meet) are organized nationally or regionally. A list of these nets can be found in the World JOTA Report, published in March.
| HB9S |
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 and 160/80/40 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.
| Scout Station Call Signs |
Each licensed Amateur Radio station has a call sign. The first letters specify the country. Here are call signs of stations that can often be contacted during JOTA:
| JOTA Program Activities |
Third-party Traffic ListCountries that Share a Third-Party Traffic Agreement with the United States of America
V2 -- Antigua/Barbuda * Since 1970, there has been an informal agreement between the U.K. and the US, permitting Pitcairn and US amateurs to exchange messages concerning medical emergencies, urgent need for equipment of supplies, and private or personal matters of island residents. ** Limited to special-event stations with call sign prefix GB, (GB3 excluded). |
During the event:
After the Event:
* Start planning for next year!
| Ideas for Amateur Radio Scouting: |
Have your merit badge candidates build the 80- or 40-meter "Neophyte Receiver"; not only will they learn the required construction basics, they'll end up with a solid CW, SSB and AM receiver tuned into a ham band. What better way to further their interest in Amateur Radio? (Get "The Neophyte Receiver," information from ARRL Headquarters, TIS.)
Show "The New World of Amateur Radio" (ARRL order #5447) at a Scout troop meeting to generate interest in the merit badge (and in Amateur Radio). Have the boys invite their parents--especially when the boys' interest grows from earning merit badges to earning Amateur Radio licenses.
Host Scouts in your shack during the annual Jamboree on the Air in which Scouts talk about Scouting with their counterparts around the world.
There's nothing to prevent your working with local Girl Scouts or other youth groups which do not have formal radio badges. We're particularly interested in learning of your successes in these areas.
| Examples of Radio Jargon: |
| World Scout Frequencies: |
| Notes from Jamboree On The Air |
Skatakvedja! Icelandic Scout greetings! That's how US Scouts of Troop 364 in Iceland greeted many over the air during one year's "Jamboree On The Air." Using the call sign WA4JVL/TF, Troop 364 completed two-way contacts with 44 other Jamboree stations in 17 countries and plotted them on a large world map.
Jamboree On The Air provides a "radio-flavored" kickoff to the many fall and winter activities Scouts traditionally enjoy. California Girl Scouts and Cub Scout Packs of the Santa Clara County Council joined in the fun at the Foothills Electronics Museum. The museum exhibit featured packet-radio operations, a fast-scan TV demonstration, Morse code instruction and at- the-mike operating pointers from Foothills Amateur Radio Club members, sponsors of the exhibit.
The Bell Tower Pioneer Radio Club hosted members of Boy Scout Troop 434, of Orange Park, Florida to a presentation of the video, "The New World of Amateur Radio," a short code-practice session and a discussion on the requirements for obtaining a license. Instruction in the proper operation of equipment, followed by each Scout's chance at the key and mike, made for a well-rounded and enthusiastically received presentation. Club members have scheduled a Novice class in January for the many Scouts who were inspired.
| JOTA Resources |
Postcard-sized certificates are free to anyone participating in any way. Order beforehand for presentation during JOTA or award later at Scout or Amateur Radio club meetings. (These are not "QSL" cards.) Send a self-addressed stamped envelope large enough to hold the cards ordered. Send requests to: Jamboree-on-the-Air Certificate Cards, S221, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, PO Box 152079, Irving TX 75015-2079
Pocket patches are $3.00 each (plus tax); order early. Include state sales tax. Send to: JOTA Coordinator, International Division, S221, Boy Scouts of America, 1325 W. Walnut Hill Ln., PO Box 152079 Irving TX 75015-2079.
For a list of Amateur Radio Clubs contact: ARRL - Field & Educational Services, 225 Main Street Newington CT 06111 Phone (860) 594-0301; FAX (860) 594-0259 Internet e-mail: scout@arrl.org