Jamboree On The Air

Australia's Gold Coast Amateur Radio Society Inc' will be hosting several Gold Coast region Scout Groups on the Weekend of October 18 & 19 for the Jamboree of the
Air event.

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 Scouts and Guides from all over the world speak to each other by means of Amateur 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.

JOTA is held the third weekend in October of each year. JOTA takes place starting Saturday at 0001 hours local time (12:01 AM) to Sunday, 23.59 hours local time (11:59 PM), though some activity continues over from Friday to Monday to take advantage of long distance time differences.

The 51st Jamboree On The Air is on 17-19th October.

If you wish to be involved in JOTA but haven’t been approached to help, contact VK6POP@wia.org.au telling him your location and he is said to be able to put you in touch with local / State coordinators.

Wireless Institute of Australia