51st Jamboree-on-the-air (JOTA)
What is Jamboree-On-The-Air?
JOTA is an annual event in which about a half-million Scouts and Guides all over the world make contacts with each other by means of amateur radio. Short-wave radio signals carry their voices to virtually every corner of the world. The excitement of having a live conversation with a fellow Scout or Guide at some other place in the world attracts many young people to this event.
JOTA is a true Jamboree during which Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared. It’s a unique opportunity for each individual Scout to get the real feeling of belonging to a worldwide movement.
This year JOTA is being held Saturday and Sunday, October 18 & 19.
NFARL Supports JOTA
Once again NFARL, the North Fulton Amateur Radio League, is going to sponsor a Field Day event like we did back in June of this year.
This event will be held on October 18th. We will integrate the 51st Annual Jamboree-on-the-Air into the event, and as in June we will focus on the radio Merit Badge.
JOTA actually runs internationally during the full weekend, but our event will only cover the time period from 0900 Saturday with a finish at 1500 Saturday afternoon. This is the period when the attending boys will be able to talk with other Scouts from around the country / world.
The event will be held at the Waller Park extension in Roswell. Links to maps are in "The Details" section below.
The Scouts will need to be familiar with the CURRENT Radio Merit Badge book and have reviewed the requirements if they wish to attend the Merit Badge class. At least one adult leader must attend with Scouts from each Troop bringing the proper Merit Badge forms for the Troop and each of the boys. Scouts and leaders must register via email to retain a slot in a class.
We are planning two (2) Radio Merit Badge class start times. One class will start at 9 AM and the second at 1 PM. Each class should take no longer than 3 hours to complete, including an on-the-air experience for the boys. Each class is limited to 10 Scouts.
Beyond the classes, there is virtually no limit nor is registration required to participate in the JOTA experience. Parents, Boy and Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies may all visit the station and make radio contacts from a real "ham" station. For more information on JOTA, visit this site: http://home.hetnet.nl/~kava04un/Jota/51jota.htm
Please join NFARL for JOTA 2008!
The Details
NFARL's JOTA activities will take place at Waller Park Extension on Dobbs Road in Roswell on Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 0900 until 1500 local time.
Click here to see a Google map of the park's location. Click here to see a Google satellite view of Waller Park Extension showing the meeting location inside the park.
Stop by our JOTA Station any time between 0900 and 1500 hours if you wish to use our station to make radio contacts. Registration is not necessary to use a radio station.
If you would like to participate in our Merit Badge class:
Remember that classes are limited to ten scouts each, so register early to assure you have a seat in the class.
For more information, contact Jim Stafford at w4qo@nfarl.org.
Things to Do Before Coming to the Merit Badge Class
Here are the things you should do BEFORE coming to the merit badge class. You must have in hand a copy of the RADIO merit badge book; it could be one you borrow. You really must do the things listed in item 3, and you should read the book and complete your chart. However, if you can't get the the chart done, come anyway. You may have to do some "post" class work before your blue card can be signed but we'll work with you to get that done.
Radio Merit Badge Class Registration Form
Please complete and submit the registration form to reserve a space in one of our classes.
