10/18/2009 | W4FDX On October 17, 2009, once again W4FDX the Mid Florida DX Association, hosted the Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) for Scouts and Scouters in Brandon, Florida. JOTA is a world wide event, sponsored by the World Scouting Movement, happening each year on the third weekend in October, when ham radio operators and scouts from around the world, get together to talk on the radio. At this event Florida scouts were given an opportunity to talk with other scouts from around the United States and the world. From a pick-nick table at Saladino Park in Brandon, FL, scouts made contacts with states like Michigan & Massachusetts, even making contacts with countries as far away as Holland in Europe! Stations participating in JOTA were heard on that Saturday from other countries, such as Poland, Germany, and Spain. All the Cub Scouts also had an opportunity to earn their Computers Belt Loop at this years JOTA. The cubs explained various parts of a computer and their function and had to properly start & close down the computer as well as write and print a document to earn their Belt Loop. All the Boy Scouts were given an opportunity to sign up for a class that will be held in the beginning of 2010 so they can earn their Radio Merit Badge. The participants of this years JOTA will have an opportunity to earn their Amateur Radio Operator License. Several amateur operators and former scouts & scouters came out to help make this incredible event possible for area scouts: Steve Elliot KS4WA, former Scouter; Tony Deangelo N2MFT; Christopher Buchanan KF4SOG, Eagle Scout and current Scouter; Wayne Buchanan KG4DWS, Eagle Scout; Budd Johnson N4WBJ, former Scout; Bernie Huth W4BGH, former Scout; and Stephen Buchanan W3DDC, who has been an amateur radio operator over 50 years and has served the Boy Scouts of America as a Scout and Scouter for over 40 years. During the next several months W4FDX will prepare for the 53rd annual Jamboree on the Air to be held on October 16th 2010. Next years JOTA will be an amazing event as part of the Boy Scouts of America centennial celebration. All Scout Leaders, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorers, Venturing Scouts, Sea Scouts, Girl Scouts, and even former Scouts are invited to attend this event. Even if youre not involved, but are interested in Scouting or Ham Radio, youre welcome to come out and celebrate 100 years of Scouting in the USA and talk around the world on October 16th, 2010. For more information on JOTA as well as future amateur radio or Scouting events, contact Christopher Buchanan at kf4sog@arrl.net . -- KF4SOG