14 October 2008
JOTA – Whatta? – Is This Weekend
Posted by admin under: International; jamboree .
The scoutmasterminute.com told us about JOTI (Jamboree on the Internet) a bit ago, but the National Association for Amateur Radio wants to remind everyone that JOTA(Jamboree on the Air) is also this weekend.
JOTA is an annual event where Boy and Girl Scouts and Guides from all over the world speak to each other by means of Amateur Radio. Since the first Jamboree-on-the-Air was held in 1958, 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. With no restrictions on age or on the number of participants, JOTA allows Scouts to contact each other via ham radio. Many Scouts and leaders hold licenses and have their own stations, but the most participate in JOTA through stations operated by local radio clubs and individual radio amateurs.
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AMSAT-NA has announced that they are again supporting JOTA by dedicating AO-51 operation to the event. According to AMSAT Vice President for Operations Drew Glassbrenner, KO4MA, the satellite will be configured as a single channel V/U repeater. He asks that users limit QSOs to those between or involving at least one JOTA station during this weekend. The frequencies used for this weekend will be 145.880 FM uplink, and 435.300 FM downlink, no PL tone required. The mode change should occur at around 0000 UTC on the 18th (Friday evening in the US) and run for approximately 48 hours.
That’s all Greek to me as well as the myriad of countries and frequencies participating in this event. If you’ve got an interest in amateur radio you should definitely head over to the National Association for Amateur Radio (whose acronym is ARRL for some reason unknown to me) and get more information!
- Let’s Party on the Net
- World Scout Jamboree Sign-Up Information
- World Jamboree Leaders Should Be Getting Contacted – Now!
- Jamboree Emergency Preparedness Award
- Speedy Scouts
