With many years experience of running JOTA stations, the Mid Ulster Amateur Radio Club have again been asked by the Scouts in Banbridge, Co Down, Northern Ireland, to run a station for this year's event..

Using the call-sign GB2 SDD, 'South Down District' the Club will be active during most of Saturday 19th October 2013, on 40m plus others depending on band conditions. Our 2m station will also be active along with Echolink and D-star options. PSK data modes will be aired from time to time during the course of the day.

At last year's JOTA we held informal cw classes for the Scouts as a bit of a novelty. Such was the success, we have been specifically asked to run the same sort of thing again this year.

While JOTA provides an introduction to the world of amateur radio it is, for some, the start of a path that leads to Radio Amateur status.

Last year's event encouraged a leader and one Scout to successfully complete a Club run Foundation Course. Spurred by their enthusiasm the two Mi6's have managed to 'recruit' 7 (and counting), likely candidates for a future 'scout orientated' Club Foundation Course.

It seems JOTA continues to be as much a success for amateur radio as it is for the Scouts.

More information - http://www.muarc.com