2 x

Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)
printer friendly version for 2006

The Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA, is an annual Scouting and amateur radio event sponsored by the World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Thousands of amateur radio stations around the world participate. If the conditions are right, it is common to contact a hundred Scouting countries during the weekend.

In the United States, Cub Scout dens and Boy Scout patrols visit a local amateur's ham shack during JOTA. Many districts and councils hold events that coincide with JOTA, where amateurs set up stations giving Scouts and leaders a chance to exchange greetings with Scouts from other areas.The exchanges typically include information such as:
• Name
• Location (QTH)
• Scout rank
• Hobbies
• Age
Some exchanges lead to long-lasting friendships and the exchange of photos, badges, pins, and patches.The usual communications method calls for speaking into a microphone. However, the following specialized communications are also used during JOTA:
• Slow Scan TV, or SSTV
• Amateur TV, or ATV
• Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio, or OSCAR
• Packet radio, or modem communication without a phone--PSK-31
• Radio Teletype, or RTTY
• Earth-Moon-Earth, or EME, contacts
There will be many stations operating, including the following:
• K2BSA/5 at Camp Wisdom in Dallas, Texas
• Additional K2BSA stations assigned to other areas, such as K2BSA/0, K2BSA/1, etc.
• HB95, the World Scout Bureau headquarters in Switzerland
• GB2GP at Gilwell Park, England
Listen for other special call signs from many countries.WhoJOTA welcomes participation by Scouting and amateur radio enthusiasts of all ages:
• Cub Scouts
• Boy Scouts
• Venturers
• Brownie Scouts
• Girl Scouts
• Former Scouts and Scouters
• Amateur radio operators
• Anyone interested in doing a Good Turn for Scouting and amateur radio
WhenThe JOTA program always falls on the third full weekend in October.JOTA will begin on Saturday, at 0001 hours local time, and end on Sunday, at 2359 hours local time.WhereJOTA Scout Frequencies
Band
SSB (phone)
CW (Morse code)
80-meter
3.740* and 3.940 MHz
3.590 MHz
40-meter
7.090* and 7.270 MHz
7.030 MHz
20-meter
14.290 MHz
14.070 MH
17-meter
18.140 MHz
18.080 MHz
15-meter
21.360 MHz
21.140 MHz
12-meter
24.960 MHz
24.910 MHz
10-meter
28.390 MH
28.190 MHz
HowScouts and leaders should follow any of the following tips for help in preparing for participation in the JOTA program:
• Contact a local amateur radio operator.
• Contact a local amateur radio club.
• Put a notice in the local newspaper.
• Run an article in the local council newsletter; almost every local council has a Scouter involved in amateur radio.
• Contact the American Radio Relay League's Field and Educational Activities Department toll free at 800-326-3942; or visit the ARRL Web site (http://www.arrl.org/ead/jota.html)]
• Request the More About Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) guide from the International Division at Boy Scouts of America, International Division, S221, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.
Radio amateurs should:
• Invite Scouts and Scout units to their radio shack. Radio amateurs who do not know any units should contact the nearest BSA local council service center for the names of Scout unit leaders in the area. Local councils can be found in the phone book under "Boy Scouts of America."
• Volunteer to set up a station at a district or council camporee, Scout show, or other event. Contact the nearest BSA local council service center for more information.
• Call "CQ Jamboree," or respond to such calls.
• K2BSA/? is available throughout the year for organized Scout events. K2BSA/? may be available for use during JOTA. Contact Ray Moyer for details by e-mail at rmoyer@netbsa.org, or by mail at Boy Scouts of America, Ray Moyer, S219, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-0279.

Share this fact sheet and a copy of "More About Jamboree-on-the-Air" (request this publication from the International Division) with other radio amateurs and radio clubs.

What Is or Is Not Required

• No reports in the form of logs are necessary. (This is not a contest.)
• Make the exchange of information simple, related to Scouting and amateur radio.
• Brief reports are requested. Download the sample report format. This report should include:
• Unit number and local council name and number
• Amateur call used
• Calls heard and worked
• Number of participants
• Interesting incidents and exchanges, etc.
• Photos with captions (small group, Scout at mike)
JOTA CardsWallet-size cards are free and are available to anyone participating. They may be ordered beforehand for presentation during JOTA, or they may be awarded at Scouting or amateur radio club meetings later. Send requests to Boy Scouts of America, Jamboree-on-the-Air Cards, S221, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079, with a self-addressed and STAMPED envelope large enough to hold the requested cards. Please note, these cards are yours to keep.
Postage Guidelines
Number of Certificates
Postage
Envelope Size
1 - 8
$.37
# 10
9 - 16
$.60
# 10
17 - 24
$.60
6" x 9"
25 - 32
$.83
6" x 9"
Pocket PatchesTemporary insignia to wear on the right pocket of the Scout uniform or on jackets/vests will be available after August 15 for $3.50 each (total). This insignia, like the certificate cards, will be available in LIMITED QUANTITY only and will not be reordered when supplies are exhausted. ORDER EARLY. Allow FOUR weeks for delivery on all orders. Only checks or money orders will be accepted and must be made payable to the Boy Scouts of America. We cannot accept cash or credit cards for payment. All orders must be received by January 31, 2005. Orders for patches are to be sent to the same address as for the cards.The J-Code ExperimentDeveloped by a group of national JOTA organizers, following the idea of Dave Gemmell, NJO of South Africa, the J-Code aims to make a very basic communication possible between Scouts who have no language in common. During the 47th JOTA, we challenge you to experiment with this new and somewhat unique way to bring Scouts in contact with one another.The J-Code is a fun way to try to link up with someone with whom you otherwise could not communicate. The J-Code is analogous to the Q-Code often used by radio amateurs. The code can be used in radio contacts during the JOTA weekend.Download a copy of the J-Code List.

printer friendly version