Cub Scout Pack 28
Mohegan School - Fairfield County - Shelton, Connecticut

Last update was Sunday, August 03, 2003

Jamboree On The Air (JOTA)

JOTA is an annual event that combines Scouting and Amateur Radio.  During the third weekend of each October, thousands of Scout groups around the globe participate in this event.  Licensed Amateur Radio operators volunteer to either set up a radio station at a special site, or invite local Scouts to their home stations.

This event introduces the wonderful world wide hobby of Amateur Radio (Ham radio) to the scouts.  Here in the United States, all amateur radio operators are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
A testing procedure is in place to earn your license.

The hobby is one that offers many avenues to explore.  From local clear FM communications, to world wide HF bands, to the combination of the personal computer and radios.  There is always a new facet to explore.

More information on ham radio is available from the American Radio Relay League ARRL.

JOTA is done with the help of the Connecticut Radio Society, W1CRS.  

A modest station would to established with dipole antennas being set up for a few ham radio bands.  Scouts come by throughout the day to try their hand at the mic.  Some are mic shy but most quickly get the hang of it.  Parents are encouraged to get on the air with only a few takers.  

Contacts are made with other scout organizations located in other states and countries.  The scouts exchange names, age, school interests, hobbies with the scouts they make contact with over the radio.  

Amateur Radio literature is available for those that have an interest in finding out more about the ham radio hobby.  The scout are each given a copy of the special edition Archie comics with a ham radio storyline.  You can see the scouts with the Archie comics in some of the photographs.

More pictures below. CLICK to enlarge.

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