Each year, more than 500,000 Scouts in more than 100 countries take to the airwaves on the third full weekend in October — and this year on the 20th & 21st October, it will be no different.
The Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) is an annual Scouting and Amateur Radio event sponsored by the World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). JOTA is an annual event where Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from all over the world speak to each other via Amateur Radio. Since 1958 — when the first Jamboree on the Air was held — millions of Scouts have met through this event. Many contacts made during JOTA have resulted in pen pal relationships and links between Scout troops that have lasted many years.
The 55th Jamboree on the Air is on 21st & 22nd October, 2012. The official hours are 0000 (local time) Saturday, 20th October (right at midnight Friday) through midnight (local time) Sunday, 21st October (midnight Sunday evening).