Jamboree-on-the-Air is held the third weekend in October. A change in policy from previous years, there is no set time for the start or end. Since it isn’t a contest, there’s no designating starting point. When your station is ready to go, get on the air and make contacts. You'll have the whole weekend!

First, contact a local Amateur Radio operator or club to ask for assistance. If you need help finding a club in your area check the ARRL Affiliated Club Search page. The  FCC License Data Search also lists amateurs and clubs in your area (enter your zip code only). Radio amateurs are enthusiastic about their hobby and most will be willing to help you participate in JOTA. The radio operator may suggest that the Scouts visit his/her station or that the operator bring equipment to your local campsite. Often, JOTA stations are set up in unusual locations, such as the top of a mountain, or on a boat.

Ham radio operators have obtained a radio transmission license by passing an exam given by national authorities. License conditions vary from country to country and Third Party Agreements regulating communications apply.  Please consult the list of Third Party Traffic Agreements.
 

To review FCC control operator rules, refer to the discussion of control operator rules as it pertains to Field Day operation.

 
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Stations should call "CQ Jamboree," or answer stations doing so. Any authorized frequency may be used. It is recommended that stations use the agreed World Scout Frequencies, listed in the guidelines. To avoid congestion, use close-by frequencies.
 

JOTA is not a contest. The idea is not to contact as many stations as possible during the weekend.
 

Although the worldwide JOTA is organized in October, Scouts can meet on the air at other times during the year. Regular Scout nets (a pre-arranged time and frequency when operators meet) are organized nationally or regionally. An updated list of these nets can always be found in the latest World JOTA Report, which is published by the World Scout Bureau.

Visit the Boy Scouts of America JOTA information page for a wealth of information to help you plan and publicize your event as well as details on ordering JOTA cards and patches and  the BSA JOTA report form to download and print.  You'll  find operating guidelines and recommended frequencies for operation in the U.S. and a a registry of stations planning to participate. Use the online form provided to register your station and operating plan!

Information about the Jamboree on the Internet can be found on the JOTI information page.

Each licensed Amateur Radio station has a unique identifier known as a "call sign." The first letters specify the country. Here are call signs of well-known stations that can often be contacted:

• K2BSA -- Boy Scouts of America National Office, Dallas TX
• JA1YSS -- Boy Scouts of Nippon National Office, Tokyo Japan
• PA6JAM -- Scouting Nederland National Station, Sassenheim Netherlands
• 5Z4KSA -- The Kenya Scouts Assoc. Paxtu Station, Nyeri Kenya
• VK1BP -- The Scout Assn. of Australia National Station, Canberra Australia
• GB2GP -- The Scout Assn., Gilwell Park, London UK
• XE1ASM -- Boy Scouts of Mexico
• DX1BSP -- Boy Scouts of Philippines
• TF3JAM -- Scouts of Iceland

Scouts and Scout Leaders share their stories and photos of JOTA experiences.

 
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Before the event:
 

• Send a report of your plans to local news reporters. Ask them to visit the station.
• Ask a radio operator to talk about ham radio communications. Visit his/her station to actually see how it works. Learn about radio waves and their propagation.
• Learn to say hello in other languages.
• Learn about other countries and prepare questions to ask over the air.
• Design special QSL cards for the JOTA weekend. Find a way to print cards or prepare different handmade cards.
• Build a simple antenna.
• Build a simple radio-related project.
• Learn about electricity and how to do simple electrical repairs such as how to fix a blown fuse.
• Learn and practice Morse code. Find tips on learning Morse code and its history on our website.  Other websites provide Morse code practice.  These and other resources are listed on the JOTA resources page.
• Practice talking into microphones using radio operating procedures and jargon--see examples.
• Find out about your local area in order to answer questions from Scouts in other regions.

During the Event:
 

• The global weather situation. Get a large wall map of the world. Ask the Scouts with whom you speak to give the local weather. Mark it on the map for the area where they are located. At the end of the weekend you will have a global weather picture.
• Determine the distance between each radio contact that you made and add them all up. Can you reach 100,000 km (62,000 miles) in one JOTA weekend?
• Learn to say "Scout" in several different languages. Use it whenever possible.
• Invite parents and other friends to visit your JOTA station.
• Organize a weekend hike and take portable radio equipment with you.
• Keep a personal logbook. Include names, addresses and other information for Scouts contacted.
• Set up an information section with maps, atlases and other sources. When a contact is made, Scouts can find out details about the country or region.
• Plot contacts made on a world map.
• Invite the media to your station. Ask a newspaper to take photos.
• Organize a fox hunt, where Scouts have to locate a small hidden transmitter. This can include the use of a map and compass.
   

After the Event:

• Write to the Scouts contacted. Establish individual (pen pal) or troop links. Send your badge and other information about your area.
• Send your reports (and photos!) to the ARRL. Maybe you'll see your picture in our magazine, QST!
• Or you can send a report to your NJO. He'll send his national JOTA report to the World Scout Bureau.
• Start planning for next year!

Consult the BSA JOTA information Web pages for frequencies recommended for U.S. JOTA operations as some frequencies and modes are not legal for US stations.

Please note that the World Scout Frequencies changed 1 July 2007. The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) changed its band plans to create space for more digital transmissions. Some Scout frequencies are affected by this.  Traditionally, Scout Frequencies were chosen in a segment where low-power, simple stations are transmitting (QRP). This allows Scouts to operate such stations from camp sites and still be able to communicate with others. Some of these frequencies have changed over time. The amateur radio bands are increasingly busy with competitions. With the Scout frequencies chosen outside of the contest segments as far as possible, Scout stations can operate undisturbed.

JOTA isa worldwide event, and JOTA staions in Euripe are looking for contacts.  To avoid a conflcit with the Worked All Germany contenst, European JOTA stations will be active on these band segments:

 Remember, band plans between ITU regions differ. US stations should follow the US band plan and work Eurorpean JOTA stations on the proper mode for the frequency used.  US JOTA frequencies can be found on the JOTA website, www. scouting-org/jota, under "Operator Guidelines."

Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) offers an alternative to direct radio contacts.  Scouts make connections around the world using computers and the Internet and various techniques.

For further information on JOTI please visit http://www.scouting.org/joti.aspx

 
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JOTA patches are temporary insignia to be worn on the right pocket of the Scout uniform or on jackets/vests. Order from Boy Scouts of America.  Order information.

 
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For PDF versions of a JOTA Certificate of Participation or Contact Log you may visit http://www.scouting.org/jota/certificate.aspx
 

Printed flyers describing Amateur Radio that can be used as hand-outs at Scouting events or other public events are available from ARRL.  You may order these materials online from ARRL's Forms & Media Warehouse.

The World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement sponsors JOTA.  The official details and any information specific to the event, yearly theme, special international activities, etc. can be found on the official international event website.

 
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BSA sponsors a registration page where you can post your JOTA event to let others know how to contact you or join in.