DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — The upcoming Jamboree on the Air unites Cub, Boy and Girl Scouts, and Girl Guides to experience amateur radio.
According to Boy Scouts of America JOTA Organizer Jim Wilson, more than 250 JOTA stations have registered with the Boy Scouts of America for the event, which takes place midnight Oct. 14 through midnight Oct. 16 at the Spanish Trail Scout Reservation in DeFuniak Springs.
"We estimate that there will be nearly 17,000 scouts in 45 states, Puerto Rico and a few countries on the air for JOTA,” Wilson said.
Participants will use the call sign “W4Z” to communicate with one another.
The schedule includes site preparation and antenna rising Oct. 14, and night single-station high frequency, long-distance operations. Opening ceremonies start at 9 a.m. the next day. Rodney Ryals of the Boy Scouts organization — call sign KJ4JAH — will call in throughout the event from a group camping trip at another site.
JOTA emphasizes conversations and experimentation with various forms of technology. Locally, North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club members will introduce members of the BSA to the technology.
“What motivates our volunteers to participate in JOTA is seeing the young people’s eyes light up with a new discovery,” said Alex Barthé, NOARC vice president. “Getting on the air and mentoring the next generation of ‘hams’ is important to keep our hobby going.
“More importantly, we know our efforts (are) encouraging these young people to possibly venture into much needed high tech fields of study in high school and college.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Scouts set radio jamboree