Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA)

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What is JOTA?

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.

The 55th Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) for 2012 will be held October 20 and 21. Last year's effort saw a 600 percent increase in reported Scout participation in the U.S.; more than 3,000 Scouts were a part of exciting activities and a superb introduction to the science and technology of amateur radio. Worldwide participation reached just short of 750,000 Scouts operating from more than 6,000 amateur radio stations across 150 countries. In 2011 ham radio contacts included several with Mike Fossum, a ham radio astronaut, on the International Space Station.

Through JOTA, Scouts are introduced to radio technology and to other Scouts around the U.S. and the world. They get a chance to talk with one another and share information that broadens their perspective on other cultures, on geography, and on the technology and hobby that provides the means for their communication.

The most successful JOTA events around the U.S. occurred during camporees or other troop, district, or council events. This allowed a wide range of Scouts to tour ham radio stations and, if they desired, talk on the radio with a microphone or even with a keyboard using digital communication.

Several JOTA events offered foxhunting - amateur radio direction finding used to locate hidden transmitters, a fantastic outdoor Scouting activity.

The stations that Scouts will be communicating with can be other Scouts across town, across the country, or even around the world!

Stations may particapate in JOTA for 48 hours or any part thereof, from Saturday 00.00 until Sunday 24.00 local time.

The Jamboree is for members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) including the Boy Scouts of Americai and Girl Scouts USA.

JOTA/JOTI Theme for 2012

The JOTA/JOTI theme for 2012 is "How big is your world?" For more about the theme see the JOTI page.

JOTA Radio Station Operating Guides and Tools

54th Jamboree-on-the-AIR - For Radio Amateursi Fact Sheet (BSA)
US JOTA Guidelines for Amateur Radio Operators (BSA)
JOTA Lastest News (WOSM)
JOTA JOTI contact database
Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) Resources (ARRL)
Part 97 - Amateur Radio Rules (US FCC at ARRL)
JOTA resources portal (DX Zone)
DXSpider Cluster Available (QRZ): pi4raz.nl port 7300

JOTA Software

DXSpider
See also JOTA EchoLink page