CLARKSVILLE, TN – Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA, is held annually the third full weekend in October. JOTA uses amateur radio to link Scouts and hams around the world.

This jamboree requires no travel, other than to a nearby amateur radio operator’s ham shack or in this case to the Troop 525 Scout Hut, also known as the Civitan Building, off Peachers Mill Road in Clarksville. “All Scouts from any council are welcome to come and participate in this Cogioba District event,” said Ernest Schmidt, American Legion Tennessee State Scouting chairman.

For those who are unable to attend, the Jamboree will be streamed online, so participants can receive credit for participation in both events.

Scouts of any age can participate, from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA and Venturers. Once at the JOTA ham radio station, the communication typically involves talking on a microphone and listening on the station speakers. However, many forms of specialized communication may also be taking place, such as video communication, digital communication, or communication through a satellite relay or an earth-based relay or a repeater. The exchanges includes information such as name, location (called QTH in ham speak), Scout rank, age and hobbies. The stations scouts will be communicating with will be heard across town, across the country or even around the world.

The World Scout Bureau reported that the 2017 JOTA-JOTI had over 1.5 million Scout participants from more than 160 countries. Upon completion of the stations, Scouts are able to leave as they do not have to stay for the duration of the event. Jamboree-on-the-Air and Internet is to be held on Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year, American Legion CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289 Amateur Radio Club and Clarksville Amateur Transmitting Society will be hosting the event. The Clarksville City Team will be operating 3 radio stations.

For more information on how to participate in the Jamboree, contact American Legion CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289 Radio Club or a local ham radio operator or a local amateur radio club. You can find a searchable database of clubs at www.arrl.org/find-a-club . This website is operated by the American Radio Relay League, the national association for amateur radio, which is cooperating closely with the BSA on JOTA and many other activities. Your local club may be able to direct you to its planned JOTA activities.

For information on how to participate as an amateur radio operator, contact American Legion CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289 Amateur Radio Club member Larry Johnson at 931-257-8069 or email him at idjohnsonaz@gmail.com. It is recommended that adults planning to bring equipment are to take the online Free BSA Youth protection Training on line and print a copy of their certificate for on-hand viewing.