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The Southport and District Amateur Radio Club is happy to visit youth groups throughout Merseyside, West Lancashire and Sefton in Southport, Formby, Ormskirk, Tarleton, Skelmersdale, Bootle, Burscough, Maghull, Crosby and Liverpool.
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Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) & Thinking Day on the Air (TDOTA)
A Scout sends a message thousands of
miles using Amateur Radio
The Southport & District Amateur Radio Club have been running Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) and Thinking Day on the Air (TDOTA) events for several years now, but what are they?
They are annual events during which Scouts and Guides from all over the world speak to each other by means of amateur radio - Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared, via the radio waves. Modern communication technology offers Scouts and Guides the exciting opportunity to make friends in other countries without even leaving home (or the group 'hut').
Since 1958 when the first Jamboree on the Air was held, thousands of Scouts and Guides have "met" each other through these events. Not only is it fun to talk to Scouts and Guides from other parts of the world but it also provides a chance to find out about other countries and about Scouting/Guiding elsewhere. It is also a great opportunity to learn about communication technology and earn the Scouts Communications and Guides on the Air badges. Many contacts made during JOTA and TDOTA have resulted in penpals and links between scout troops that have lasted for many years.
48th Southport Air Scouts,
home of GB5SAS
With no restrictions on age, or the number that can participate, JOTA and TDOTA provide an opportunity for Scouts and Guides to contact each other by amateur radio. The radio stations are operated by licensed amateur radio operators. Many Scouts/Guides and leaders hold licences and have their own stations, but the majority participate in JOTA through stations operated by local radio clubs such as the Southport & District Amateur Radio Club.
When are the events run?
TDOTA is organized to coincide with the third full weekend of February and JOTA the third full weekend in October each year. The event starts at 00.00 hours local time on the Saturday and concludes 48 hours later at 24.00 hours local time on the Sunday. Each station can choose its own operating hours within this period.
How to take part in JOTA and TDOA?
If you would like the Southport & District Amateur Radio Club to help you run a JOTA or TDOTA event for your Scout Troop or Guide Pack, please try and contact us approximately six months before the event is to run so that we can arrange licenses, callsigns, staff, etc.