Jamboree on the Air 2026

On a very cool and wet October weekend, led by Stuart G7JYF, we put on a station for JOTA in Maidstone Scout Headquarters. This included Nigel, Sam, Bob, and Scout friend Steven taking part.  We had 2 rooms with the first having the HF station, and the second had the morse code event.

With a simple vertical antenna, FT991A, Auto ATU/AMU and Power supply, contacts were made using special event call GB4LGF on SSB across Europe mainly because conditions were not too special. Steven  had an FT8 station running outside in the courtyard an with a simple small vertical antenna sitting on the table had several contacts too. 

The HF SSB station had further difficulties receiving due to noise from the many solar panels on the surrounding roofs. With a careful adjustment of the settings on the transceiver and attempts with battery supplies, several contacts were made. When the visiting groups came in, the Cubs, Beavers, Scouts etc enjoyed the day with the contacts they had. They particularly enjoyed having a go at talking to other Scout associations up and down the country.

In the morse room several young groups came and had a go at sending their names in morse code using a key and buzzer. Then they had to decode my name "Bob" which they all did with ease. Without any prompting they were soon sending small messages to each other! All who came really enjoyed it, and on scout leader was even interested in buying a kit to make her own morse buzzer. 

In a third room there was JOTI, Jamboree on the Internet. The visitors were able to use laptop pc's to go on the internet chat rooms specially up for the weekend. That too was very much enjoyed by the scouts even though on the Sunday it poured with rain outside.

Some groups did not turn up, maybe due to the bad weather, so we were able to pack up early on the Sunday afternoon.

Bob, G4IOG.