Jamboree on the Air: How Hams and Scouts Make JOTA Work

Every October, thousands of radio amateurs open their shacks to young people for one of the biggest events in the hobby: Jamboree on the Air, usually shortened to JOTA. For a weekend, Scouts and Guides in almost every part of the world talk to each other over the air, and many of them touch a microphone or a Morse key for the first time. In 2026 the event runs from 16 to 18 October, which means it starts today. This guide explains what JOTA is, how it works on the air, which frequencies are suggested, how to plan a station and what rules and safety points a licensed operator should keep in mind.

You do not need a big station, a contest-grade antenna or even a Scouting background. You need a working radio, a clear plan and the patience to let a ten-year-old do the talking. If you have ever wondered how to bring new people into the hobby, this is the most welcoming weekend of the year.

What JOTA Is and Who Runs It

Jamboree on the Air is an annual international Scouting and Guiding activity held on the third full weekend of October. As the encyclopedia entry on the event records, it was devised by a British radio amateur, Leslie R. Mitchell, G3BHK, and is now regarded as the largest event scheduled by the World Organization of the Scout Movement each year. The World Scout Bureau event page describes the modern event as JOTA-JOTI, where JOTI stands for Jamboree on the Internet. The radio and internet halves were merged into one experience, and the organisers say that millions of young people take part in the three days of events every year.

The official 2026 page of the World Scout Bureau gives the dates as 16 to 18 October 2026 and describes the event as open to Scouts and non-Scouts of all ages. The programme is aimed mainly at young people, but the organisers state plainly that the event cannot happen without adult volunteers. In practice that means licensed amateurs who bring a station, an antenna and a friendly voice.

A Short History

JOTA grew out of the idea that Scouts could hold a worldwide jamboree without travelling, using the radio hobby that many Scout leaders were already enjoying. The World Scout Bureau dates the first Jamboree on the Air to 1958, while other sources link it to the fiftieth anniversary of Scouting in 1957, so you will see both years quoted. The internet counterpart followed in 1996, and the two events have since merged into one weekend.

The scale today is large. The amateur radio association that supports Scouting in the United States describes a typical year as more than a million Scouts, over 11,000 stations and more than 20,000 amateur operators across more than 150 countries. Those figures are the association’s own description and vary from year to year, but they give a sense of why the bands sound different on the third weekend of October.

How JOTA Works on the Air

JOTA is not a contest. The idea is to let as many Scouts as possible speak to other Scouts and learn who they are and what they do. The K2BSA guidelines for operators suggest calling “CQ Jamboree” or “CQ JOTA”, or answering stations that do, and they even suggest counting the Scouts on both sides of a contact rather than counting the number of contacts. Any authorised amateur frequency and any amateur mode may be used, including CW, SSB, digital modes, SSTV, FM and satellites.

A typical exchange is short and human: names, ages, home town, favourite Scout activity and perhaps a question about the weather. There is no serial number, no multiplier and no pressure. If you normally operate in pileups, JOTA is a good reminder that the other end of the contact matters more than the log line.

The internet side adds options. Since 2004 the event has also used EchoLink, the voice-over-internet system that connects amateur stations and repeater nodes, so a troop without access to a HF antenna can still join in. A VHF repeater with an EchoLink link is a gentle introduction for groups that cannot put up an HF antenna.

Suggested Calling Frequencies

The World Organization of the Scout Movement suggests calling frequencies so that stations can find each other. The K2BSA Amateur Radio Association publishes the list on its Scout frequencies page, together with suggested band segments for United States stations. Treat the numbers as starting points: once a contact is established, move off the calling frequency so that others can use it, and always check the band plan that applies to your region and your licence.

Two practical points come from the same guidance. First, other events may run on the same weekend, so be ready to move your signal to find a clear spot. Second, the 30, 17 and 12 meter bands carry no contests, which makes them pleasant places to talk with young operators. Our guide to the WARC bands explains why those bands are quieter and what to expect on each.

Digital modes are welcome as well. FT8 and similar modes are a little dry as a demonstration, but they let a station work countries that could not otherwise be heard. If your guests are older Scouts with an interest in computers, show them how the waterfall works and then let them watch a decode appear.

Planning Your JOTA Station

A good JOTA station is simple, reliable and comfortable for guests. Start planning a few weeks ahead if you can, and keep the checklist short:

1. Choose a location. A club shack, a Scout hall, a school or your own garage all work. Make sure there is enough room for a small group, a table and chairs, and that the space is safe for children.
2. Choose the radio and antenna. A 100 W HF transceiver and a resonant dipole or vertical cover most needs. Test the setup in advance, because Murphy’s law is strongest when a group of children is watching.
3. Prepare a backup. A second radio on VHF or an EchoLink node ensures that the visit is not wasted if HF conditions are poor.
4. Plan the activity. Prepare a printed sheet with a few phrases and the phonetic alphabet, a map for locating contacts and a simple log for names and countries.
5. Agree the roles. One licensed operator controls the station at all times, another helps with the log and a leader keeps the group in order.
6. Announce the event. Tell local Scout groups, schools and the press. Our article on special event stations offers a useful template for announcements and QSL cards.

Keep each session short. Young guests lose interest quickly if they wait too long for a contact, so call CQ before the group arrives and have a promising station on the frequency when the first child sits down.

Running the Contacts: A Script That Works

New speakers often freeze on the microphone, so give them a script. Practise with the group before going on the air, then let each child take a turn:

• Listen first. Find a station calling “CQ JOTA” or a clear frequency, and let the Scouts hear a few exchanges.
• Introduce the call. The licensed operator says the call sign, then hands over: “This is our station, and one of our Scouts would like to say hello.”
• Keep it short. Name, age, town, one question. Then say goodbye and give the microphone back.
• Use the alphabet. Spelling a name with the standard phonetic alphabet is a skill in itself. Our article on the phonetic alphabet has a quick reference.
• Log it. Note the time, band, call sign, country and the name of the Scout who spoke.

If a first contact is difficult, treat it as part of the lesson. Weak signals, fading and noise show children how radio really behaves, and they usually remember a hard-won contact longer than an easy one.

Rules, Licences and Safety

JOTA does not change the regulations. The station must be operated in accordance with the rules of the country where it is located, and a licensed amateur must be in control. The K2BSA guidelines point out a rule that matters in the United States: young Scouts may talk directly with Scouts in another country only if a third-party agreement exists between the two countries, and otherwise the licensed operator must do the talking. Other regulators have their own wording, so check your national rules before the event and ask your radio club or national society if anything is unclear.

Safety is part of the plan:

• Keep guests away from antennas and masts. Place wire antennas where nobody can walk into them, and never allow children near a transmitting antenna. Our guide to RF exposure explains safe distances and how to evaluate a station.
• Manage cables and power. Tape down cables, keep the table clear and avoid extension leads in walkways.
• Check insurance. The K2BSA guidance reminds operators to check insurance for equipment and for premises if Scouts visit a private ham station.
• Protect privacy. Use first names on the air, and ask leaders before sharing photographs or names publicly.

Beyond the Weekend

JOTA is most useful when it leads to something. Offer the Scouts an eQSL or paper QSL card from your station, give the leaders a list of local clubs and let interested parents know how licensing works. An exam course or a visit to the club on a regular evening is a natural next step.

Operators who want to give young people another thrill can mention amateur radio on the International Space Station. Our guide to amateur radio satellites shows what a pass overhead sounds like and what equipment you need. For some groups, a slow scan TV demonstration is also a hit, because pictures arrive on the screen from a distant station.

Making It Memorable for Young Guests

The contact itself is only part of the experience. A few small touches turn a short visit into something children talk about for weeks:

• Show the equipment. Let the Scouts see the antenna, the coax and the radio, and explain in one sentence how the signal travels. A world map with pins for each country worked makes the idea concrete.
• Offer a hands-on moment. Tapping a few letters on a Morse key or tuning across a band with the main dial is often more exciting than the formal contact.
• Use a mixed programme. Combine a radio session with a short quiz, a simple build such as a crystal set or a foxhunt with a handheld, so that children who wait for their turn still have something to do.
• Involve the leaders. Scout leaders who understand what the station does can keep the idea alive during the rest of the year.

Common Mistakes

• Making the event about the operator. JOTA is about the young guests. Do not hog the microphone.
• Not testing the station. Test antenna, radio, headphones and computer in advance.
• Staying on the calling frequency. After a contact, move so that others can call.
• Ignoring the rules. Third-party and licence conditions differ between countries, so check them.
• Having no plan for poor propagation. Keep a VHF or EchoLink option ready.

The Bottom Line

Jamboree on the Air is the most direct way a radio amateur can introduce young people to the hobby. It asks for a simple station, a friendly attitude and a basic plan, and in return it gives children a genuine conversation with a stranger on another continent. Check the official dates, choose a calling frequency from the suggested list, keep control of the station yourself and let the Scouts do the talking. A single successful contact can start a lifelong interest in radio.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Jamboree on the Air in 2026?

The World Scout Bureau gives the dates as 16 to 18 October 2026. The event is held every year on the third full weekend of October.

Is JOTA a contest?

No. The aim is for Scouts to talk with other Scouts, and the guidelines even suggest counting the Scouts on both sides of a contact rather than the number of contacts.

Which frequencies are used for JOTA?

The World Organization of the Scout Movement suggests calling frequencies such as 14.290 MHz on SSB and 14.060 MHz on CW on 20 meters, with others on each band. Move away from the calling frequency once a contact is made, and follow your own band plan.

Do I need a licence to take part?

A licensed amateur must operate or control the station. Scouts without a licence can usually talk under supervision, but third-party rules differ between countries, so check with your regulator.

Can I take part without HF equipment?

Yes. VHF contacts, repeaters and EchoLink nodes are all used, and the internet side of the event, JOTI, needs no radio at all.

What call do I use on the air?

Call “CQ JOTA” or “CQ Jamboree”, or answer stations that do. Then keep the exchange short so more Scouts get a turn.