QSL information 
JOTA and Radio Scouting Thinking Day On The Air Permanent stations
Special Event Stations
Applying for a Special Event Callsign
Application for a Special Event Station should be made to Ofcom. A letter of variation will only be issued to individuals who hold a current UK Advanced (Full) licence. It will be valid for a maximum of 28 consecutive days. Please note that a notice of variation will only be issued for an individual's licence; variations will not be issued on a club licence.
The station may only be established and operated at one specified location. This must be the address stated on the application form which must be detailed enough for anyone to find easily. Operation of a special event station from a licensee's home address is not normally permitted.
Only the person responsible for the station need sign the form, as the authorisation is by notice of variation to that individual's licence. This person is required to be present to supervise the correct operation of the station. Additional operators need only sign and write their callsigns in the logbook.
If you have not used the callsign before, you can avoid last-minute disappointment by first contacting Ofcom. They can then check that it is available and reserve it for you. A GB callsign may be reserved for up to six months in advance. When a GB callsign has been used it will not normally be re-issued to another amateur for use at a different event for a period of 24 months.
Subject to availability special event callsigns are available in the following formats:
GB0 + 2 or 3 letters
GB1 + 2 or 3 letters
GB2 + 2 or 3 letters
GB4 + 2 or 3 letters
GB5 + 2 letters or 3 letters
GB6 + 2 letters or 3 letters
GB8 + 2 letters or 3 letters
Other callsign formats will only be considered by Ofcom.
QSL information
Special event stations generate many QSL cards; it is therefore important that you use the QSL Bureau correctly.
Please choose QSL cards which do not exceed normal post-card size, viz 5½in × 3½in. As packets going abroad are sent open-ended at printed paper rate, large cards invariably have to be folded, whilst small ones or thin ones are difficult to handle.
Print the addressee's callsign on both sides of the cards, together with the details of his/her QSL manager if applicable. Sort USA cards into call areas and all others alphabetically by prefix. Do not space the cards with paper markers etc. Please pack all cards the same way up and ensure they are adequately packed with the correct postage prepaid and send them to:
RSGB QSL Bureau
P.O. BOX 5
HALIFAX HX1 9JR
ENGLAND
Please supply the GB QSL Submanager with stamped addressed envelopes no larger than 7½in ´ 5in and of strong material, as soon as you receive your letter of variation. Print the special event station callsign and date in the top left of each envelope and send them to the appropriate sub-manager:
For SES callsigns GB?AA - GB?ZZ
Michael Evans, MW0CNA, 322 Heol Gwyrosydd, Penlan, Swansea, SA5 7BR
mw0cna@ntlworld.com
Amateurs who do not wish to collect cards should notify the QSL Bureau.
JOTA and Radio Scouting
Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) is an annual event designed to allow Scouts to send greetings messages to each other. Started in 1957, it now involves approximately 600,000 Scouts and Guides, with the help of over 23,000 radio amateurs in over 100 countries.
JOTA takes place on the third full weekend of October each year, officially between 00.00 Saturday and 24.00 Sunday,
Usual Scout Net Frequencies:
Band SSB (Phone) CW
80m 3.740 and 3.940* 3.590
40m 7.090 7.030
20m 14.290 14.070
17m 18.140 18.080
15m 21.360 21.140
12m 24.960 24.910
10m 28.990 28.190
UK Scout net is on Saturdays, 3.740 ± MHz at 09:00 local time. European Scout net is on Saturdays, 14.290MHz at 0930 GMT.
* USA only. requirements. The event is organised by the Scout movement, supported by radio amateurs or clubs. Their aim is to bring Scouts around the world closer together, and to introduce them to the capabilities of amateur radio.
All amateur bands are used. Most stations use a special event or a club call, allowing the Scouts to pass greetings messages over the air. Participating JOTA stations should send a SASE to the Amateur Radio Department at RSGB HQ if they wish to receive the JOTA information pack.
The interest fostered by JOTA and World Jamboree has spread and many Scout camps and campsites boast amateur radio facilities. A number of proficiency badges in the radio, electronics and computer fields are available for Scouts. Several countries have permanent Scout Headquarters stations - for example the World Scout Bureau in Geneva has the callsign HB9S and Gilwell Park in the UK operates under the callsign GB2GP.
Many countries run periodic Scout nets. There are regular weekly UK and European nets aimed at Scouters who are also radio amateurs.
Factsheets and further information about JOTA and other Scout Radio and electronics activities are available from:
The Scout Association,
Gilwell Park,
Chingford,
London, E4 7QW.
Tel: (020) 8524 5246.
Thinking Day On The Air
Thinking Day on the Air is organised by The Guide Association on the third full weekend in February. The founder of the Guide movement, Lord Baden-Powell, and his wife, Lady Baden-Powell, the World Chief Guide both celebrated their birthday on 22 February, which is now known to all Guides as Thinking Day. On Thinking Day members all over the world think about the international nature of Guiding.
The aim of TDOTA is to encourage the girls to make Guiding friendships with members of other units, and to introduce them to amateur radio. Station organisers are asked to keep these objectives in mind. Heavily reliant on the goodwill of radio amateurs in setting up stations, though the number of Guiders, Rangers and even Guides with call signs is increasing.
Stations complete a report form which is sent to the Guide Association who then compile an annual report. Copies of the current report are available from The Guide Association on receipt of an A4 SAE. Guiders interested in setting up a station can obtain a comprehensive information pack which includes a blank report form, a brief description of TDOTA, how to organise a station, and a certificate to copy and to issue to participants. Further information is published from time to time in the Guide Associations magazine.
Guides on the Air activities are increasingly happening at other times, with radio stations at camps, activity days and leader training days.
It is hoped that Brownies and Guides will be able to use TDOTA to work towards Communicator and World Guiding badges.
The Guide Association fully supports the UK Radio Licence training schemes, and many members of the movement have gained Foundation, Intermediate and Full licenses.
Further information can be obtained on receipt of an A4 SAE from:-
The Youth Programme Team
The Guide Association
17-19 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 0PT
Tel: (020) 7834 6242
