Amateur radio fans: Have a Field Day!

If you’re a ham radio buff, the six-month wait until the next Jamboree on the Air feels like a lifetime.

Fortunately, there’s hope. Wait just two months and attend the American Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day on June 23 and 24.

Both events have ties to the ARRL, but unlike JOTA, the Field Day doesn’t have any direct Scouting ties.

Still, it’s a great opportunity to meet local amateur radio operators and ask them to get involved in the Jamboree on the Air in October. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce your Scouts or Venturers to the fun and technology of amateur radio.

Here’s the scoop:

Who?

The ARRL is the national organization for amateur radio in the U.S. The BSA and the ARRL signed a memorandum of mutual understanding in early 2011 recognizing their work together that began in 1918 with the introduction of the Wireless Merit Badge, now called the Radio Merit Badge.

What?

ARRL Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the United States.

Each year more than 35,000 amateurs gather with their clubs, friends, or by themselves to operate. Usually, they are operating outdoors at a local park, using solar panels, batteries, or generators. It is considered an emergency preparedness exercise, a public relations demonstration, and a great event for ham radio clubs to have fun and get on the air contacting other stations.

When?

June 23 and 24.

Where?

You can locate the events near you by using this online locator map.

Why?

Take advantage of this superb opportunity to introduce your Scouts and Venturers to amateur radio and to make valuable contacts that can help organize a JOTA event for your council, district, crew, troop, team, or pack.

For more information…

Contact Jim Wilson, K5ND, national JOTA organizer at jim.wilson@scouting.org.


Photo by Flickr user C-Serpents.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.