For more than 60 years, the Boree Regatta has brought Scouts and Guides together for a memorable weekend of adventure.
The St George Amateur Radio Society has proudly run the JOTA amateur radio station at Boree for over 30 years. Qualified amateur radio operators work with leaders to give youth members a safe, supervised and hands-on introduction to radio communication.
Have a go at:
- Talking on air — connect with Scouts and Guides in other places through the JOTA radio network and discover how radio signals can travel long distances and exchange ideas and experiences with others.
- Radio direction finding — also known as “Fox Hunting”. Use a radio receiver to track down a hidden transmitter somewhere in the Boree activity area.
- Broadcast recording — step behind the microphone and become an announcer for the Wireless Institute of Australia’s weekly news broadcast, heard every Sunday morning.
Whether you are speaking to someone far away, searching for a hidden signal, or recording your first radio announcement, the JOTA station is a great place to try something new.
Talk on the Radio at Boree!
Step up to the microphone and connect with Scouts and Guides through amateur radio during Jamboree On The Air.
With qualified radio operators there to help, you can talk with Scouts and Guides around Australia — and sometimes with youth members in other countries when radio conditions are right. Along the way, you will discover how radio communication works, learn the phonetic alphabet, and find out what call signs are used for.
It is a fun, friendly chance to try something new, make connections and experience the excitement of talking on air.
Ask your leader to book a time slot for your group.
A "fox" is a small hidden radio transmitter.
Teams use radio direction finding receivers and directional antennas to locate it.
- It's part treasure hunt...
- part navigation exercise...
- and part radio challenge.
Youth members quickly learn how radio signals behave and how radio direction finding works while having lots of fun. Ask your leader to book a time slot for your group.
Be a Radio News Announcer at Boree!
Ever wondered what it feels like to be behind a microphone? At the Boree Regatta, you can step into the role of a radio announcer during Jamboree On The Air.
On Friday evening, Scouts and Guides are invited to read a prepared news script for the Wireless Institute of Australia’s weekly news broadcast, heard around Australia every Sunday morning.
Your recording will be sent to the WIA studios for broadcast — a great chance to build confidence, try something new and hear your voice on radio!
All youth members who participate in a JOTA at the Boree activity, will receive the Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) badge.
For those who are up to the challenge, by completing some additional tasks, youcan also earn a Radio Challenge Badge provided by Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association (ALARA), by completing at least two out six items in the following challenge sections;
- Communication
- Adventure
- Discover
Some of the items can be completed when visiting the JOTA "On Air" activity, whilst other items can be completed with research on line. Information on how to earn the Radio Challenge Badge can be found here