A number of new techniques have recently become available that can enhance your JOTA weekend. Not an aim in itself, but a means that could offer new possibilities for Scouts to contact other Scouts ways that have not been tried before.
Some experiments conducted in 2003 proved the potential.
If you have an internet connection available at your radio station try using Echolink:
The Echolink system allows radio signals to be passed over the internet, using computers that are connected both to the internet and to amateur radio stations set up to operate with this mode. Using Echolink, you are able to make contacts with radio stations anywhere in the world.
If your amateur station can contact one of these stations, it allows your signals to go from the airwaves onto the internet and reappear on another amateur radio station somewhere else in the world; and vice-versa.
Even if s/he can't contact one of these stations, Echolink can still be used as it allows PC users and amateur radio stations to directly communicate with each other. In this case, you will need a PC with a soundcard, speakers and a microphone. Because of licence regulations and the possibility to actually transmit on-air via a connected radio station, you do need the assistance of a licensed radio amateur.
Using Echolink allows you to take part in JOTA if you are at a location that does not allow you set up a radio station, but have easy access to one or more computers that can be used on the internet. All you need to do is to connect to Echolink using the PCs.
However, the same regulations apply to the use of Echolink as for regular, on-the-air, radio contacts. The transmissions are identified with the radio call sign, so they are not anonymous, and can be traced to the responsible operator.
Note that the license of the operator is checked before access to the Echolink system for JOTA is granted. In this way, youngsters are protected from unwanted elements present on the public internet and child safety is ensured.
Your radio amateur has to register with Echolink so that his license can be checked. This takes a few days, so don't wait till the last moment to prepare your Echolink station. Special-event call signs can be used on Echolink, but not to register; instead you must use the call sign of the operator at your station (or the principal one if there is more than one).
The software allows you to set a station descriptor; JOTA stations are asked to put in their station descriptor "JOTA" and their call sign, so they can easily be recognized on the system. A detailed instruction for JOTA stations on Echolink, together with links to the free software that you will need is available on the World Scout Organisation's JOTA web site. http://www.scout.org/wse/jota.shtml.
Please register with Echolink before 1 October 2007 if you intend to use it for JOTA.
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24-08-04