The following information is courtesy of the Scouts JOTA-JOTI website:
The Jamboree On The Air is an annual event in which Scouts and Guides all over the world connect with each other by means of Amateur Radio. Short-wave radio signals carry their voices to virtually any corner of the world.
It’s the shear excitement of having a live conversation with a fellow Scout or Guide at some other place in the world that attracts so many young people to this event. JOTA is a real Jamboree during which Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared.
The use of Amateur Radio techniques offers an extra educational dimension for Scouts. Many grasp the opportunity to discover the world of wireless radio techniques and electronics. Thousands of volunteer Radio Amateurs assist the Scouts over the JOTA weekend with their knowledge, equipment and enthusiasm.
When is it?
The JOTA 2024 starts at 00:00 h local time on Saturday, October 19 and runs up to 23:59 h local time on Sunday, October 20. Note that details for use of special radio licenses, operating times and allowance for Scouts to use radio transmitters may vary per country.
World Scout Frequencies
Scout Frequencies are chosen in a segment where low-power, simple stations are transmitting. This allows Scouts to operate such stations from camp sites and still be able to communicate with others.
Scouts in Trinidad and Tobago looking for JOTA/JOTI Contacts
The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Radio Amateurs of Canada have been contacted by the District Scout Commissioner of North-West Trinidad and Tobago for assistance during the JOTA/JOTI weekend on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 14:20 to 21:00 UTC (10:30 to 17:00 EST).
Please review the event details below. If you or anyone you know is participating in this event, please keep these details in mind to support these young people in achieving their objectives.
Organization: The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Number of Group Participants: 350
Location: Trinidad & Tobago, Port of Spain
Amateur radio call sign
NWDTT
Group JID: 6TT16H
Local Amateurs involved in the Event:
Steve 9Y4SH and Tommy, 9Y4T/AG7ZA, have committed to providing an Amateur Radio station at the event location. They are attempting to recruit two more Amateurs. They do not have a special event call sign and will be using personal call signs in portable mode (9Y4T and 9Y4SH).
Based on their experience over many years of JOTA / JOTI participation, Echolink works best, especially in RF-challenging locations.
These are the channels that we will be monitoring for QSOs with scouts on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 14:20 – 21:00 UTC (10:30 – 17:00 EST)
- Echolink Node 875603 in conference — 9Y4T (JOTA Port of Spain TT)
- Hotspots on D-STAR, DMR, YSF
- RF only for in-country QSOs.
Background information:
JOTA-JOTI related activities take place simultaneously all around the world each year during the third weekend in October. The program for JOTA-JOTI consists both of activities developed at world level and initiatives developed at national and local level, supported by National JOTA-JOTI Coordinators and their respective teams.
Basic Principles
- JOTA-JOTI is a fun and exciting experience for young people in Scouting.
- JOTA-JOTI seeks to promote quality Scouting in a manner faithful to the purpose, principles and method of Scouting and consistent with the needs and aspirations of young people in today’s world.
- JOTA-JOTI strives for a meaningful engagement of as many young people from as many parts of the world as possible.
- JOTA-JOTI is an occasion to celebrate Scouting and to generate positive energy to support the development of the Scout Movement.
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Educational Objectives
- Promote Scouts’ sense of belonging to the worldwide Scout Movement.
- Promote peace, cultural awareness, tolerance, sharing, collaboration and to encourage good deeds and active citizenship.
- Provide opportunities for the development of teamwork and leadership skills through patrol-based activities.
- Provide exciting opportunities for young people to explore technology and to develop technical skills.
- Promote innovation and creativity.
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Held on the third full weekend of October each year, this worldwide jamboree requires no travel, other than to a nearby Amateur Radio shack, Scout meeting place, camp or community centre.
JOTA started in 1958 (with the World JOTA Bureau located right here in Ottawa, Canada). In 1997, communicating through the Internet was added, and this was called Jamboree on the Internet or JOTI for short. Both annual events are sanctioned and sponsored by the World Organization of the Scouting Movement. In short, it’s the best way to talk to half a million Scouts and Guides without having to leave your own community!
Scouts Official JOTA website: https://jotajoti.info/
ARRL website: https://www.arrl.org/jamboree-on-the-air-jota