The Golden Gate Area Council International Committee presents Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) 2023 and Jamboree-on-the-Internet (JOTI) 2023.

Jamboree-on-the-Air is an annual International event in which Scouts and Guides 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. Each year about half-a-million Scouts and Guides “get together” over the airwaves for the annual JOTA. 

Video introduction to JOTA-JOTI: https://vimeo.com/191558208

Scouting Magazine article on JOTA-JOTI: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2018/06/21/

Date:     Saturday, October 21, 2023
Time:    Come anytime from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE, PLEASE PICK A 1 HOUR TIME SLOT
Typical time onsite is 1 hour.

Place:   PACIFICON, San Ramon Marriott, 2600 Bishop Dr, San Ramon, CA

IMPORTANT:

• Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and adult uniformed leaders should be dressed in full uniform.
• Cub Scouts and Scouts should have their Medical Forms A,B with them while attending the event

Cost:

• $10  includes general admission and JOTA patch. Please register for one of the sessions 
• $15 Merit Badge (Radio or Electronics) session (9am - 3pm) offered to SCOUTS BSA. Please register under Merit Badge (Electronics or Radio) option. Spaces for Merit Badges are limited (15 scouts per Merit Badge). Scouts can ONLY register for ONE Merit Badge. Merit Badge Session is not available for Cub Scouts.
• Electronic kit (required for Electronic Merit Badge) can be purchased on a site (tenative cost $5 - bring cash)

Registration:  Registration is required
Parents should register IF they want a patch and want to participate in JOTA/JOTI.  Parents must remain with their Cub Scout during the event (NO drop and go).

Notes: 

• Snacks, drinks, or lunch will NOT be provided, so bring your own if needed.

For All Scouts:

All scouts will learn about amateur radio - what it is, how it works, types of equipment, and how to use it.  Scouts will have an opportunity to practice 2-way radio communications using UHF radios and will have a chance to listen to and talk to other scouts and ham radio operators participating in Jamboree-on-the-Air.

For Cub Scouts:

Adult participant is required. Plan to spend about one hour for a docent-led tour of the event, including listening (and possibly talking) to Ham Radio operators around the country and world. We will also have computers for the JOTI online communications. Come any time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Webelos/AOL scouts will have an opportunity to complete Requirement 10.d. for Building a Better World Adventure.

For Scouts BSA & Venturers:

Plan to spend about 1-2 hours for a docent-led tour of the event, including listening (and possibly talking) to Ham Radio operators around the country and world. We will also have computers for the JOTI online communications. Plan to arrive between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Activities:

● Participate in Jamboree-on-the-Air by talking and listening on Amateur Radio

● Work on the Radio Merit Badge or Electronics Merit Badge  (9am-3pm) – limited space availibility – register under Merit Badge (Electronics or Radio) option on a side panel of this page. This is a separate registration from the sessions.No lunch will be provided. Each scout can only earn 1 merit badge at the event. Cost is $15. 

● One-Day Amateur Radio Technician License Class (8 am to 4 pm. Registration, what to bring and the fee, click here) 

● Amateur Radio License exams (new, upgrade and retake) are ongoing. Sat.: 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.; Sun.: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.; (click here)

● Electronic kit assembly (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) – meets Electronic Merit Badge partial requirements. Bring $5 (tenative) for the electronic kit options) and plan 1-2 hours of time. More info here

● Optional special evening program (6 p.m. to 12 a.m.) with radio communications to Asia & Europe, dinner, and service hours for vendor equipment security watch!!! If interested contact Dave Shaw (daves@2geeks.org). Zoom call with the Japenese scouts will be provided. No additional cost for the evening program.

● Browsing the latest technology of radio electronic in the Pacificon’s Vendor Exhibit Hall found here

● Limited number of Jamboree-on-the-Air 2023 patches will be available. Be sure to register  by October 18 to ensure you get a patch.

● Although the merit badge activities will only be on October 21, Scouts can come again on October 22 for the kit building, etc. There is no charge for entrance fee if full uniform is worn.

Questions? Contact:

• Dave Shaw - WB6WTM; daves@2geeks.org;  C:650-438-9805
• Roy Adam - N6FUN;  n6fun@pacbell.net;  C:510-932-9815