The Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS) and the Qatar Scouts and Guides Association (QSGA) took part in the World Virtual Scout Camp on the Air and Internet /JOTA-JOTI/ through a dedicated radio station located at the QARS headquarters, utilising the special call sign /A71AJOTA/ for the occasion.
In remarks to QNA, QARS Secretary-General, Sabaan Mismar Al Jassim explained that the Scout Day on the Air, known as /JOTA/, is an official international event organised by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM). The event connects over 8mn scouts of all ages from across the globe via amateur radio stations, encouraging communication, providing an enriching scouting experience, and fostering a sense of belonging to the global scouting community.
Al-Jassim highlighted that JOTA is co-ordinated worldwide by a specialised team under the World Scout Committee and approved by the World Scout Bureau. All related activities take place simultaneously during the third weekend of October each year. He emphasised that the event's core message is to promote cultural exchange, allowing scouts and radio amateurs to broadcast their voices from Qatar to the world, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experiences, and maintaining year-round communication.
Al-Jassim also acknowledged the strong support from Qatar for QARS, noting the provision of a dedicated radio station for amateur operators on the Es'hail 2 satellite. This allows Qatar's radio enthusiasts to transmit their voices globally, further solidifying Qatar's presence in the amateur radio community.
He further emphasised QARSs commitment to showcasing major events hosted by Qatar. He revealed that the organisation is currently preparing special stations for the upcoming National Day and Sports Day, following its participation in high-profile events such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup.
For his part, Commissioner-General of QSGA, Jassim Mohammed Al Hardan, also shared insights with QNA, noting that the World Virtual Scout Camp (JOTA-JOTI) is the largest global digital and radio scouting event. Millions of scouts, guides, and amateur radio operators come together annually through the internet and airwaves to exchange scouting knowledge, strengthen cultural ties, and share experiences.
Al Hardan elaborated that JOTA serves as a live "camp on the air," where scouts worldwide communicate via radio to share scouting ideas and experiences. The simultaneous JOTI camp utilises internet technologies to further connect scouts, offering every scout, rover, and leader a profound sense of belonging to a vast and inclusive scouting movement.
