JOTA 2026: VK DMR Network Opens Dedicated DMR Talk Groups for Scouts and Guides

16–19 October 2026 | Jamboree On The Air and Jamboree On The Internet.

Amateur radio clubs and groups supporting Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) and Jamboree On The Internet (JOTI) next weekend have another excellent resource available to help Scouts and Guides make contacts across Australia and beyond.

Thanks to the VK DMR Network and its Working Group, dedicated JOTA talk groups will once again be available, allowing participating stations to connect young people through digital mobile radio (DMR).

For more than a decade, the VK DMR Network has supported JOTA activities, providing an additional way for Scouts and Guides to experience the excitement of communicating with other young people using amateur radio.

Dedicated JOTA Talk Groups: 16–19 October

Following the VK DMR Network's recent transition from the IPSC2 platform to the new IPSC3 server, the VK DMR Working Group has agreed to continue supporting JOTA by providing dedicated talk groups.

VK DMR NETWORK | JOTA 2026

TG30 - JOTA Calling

TG31–39 - JOTA Chat / TAC

Friday 16 October to Monday 19 October 2026

The talk groups may also be available earlier in the week for testing.

TG30 will serve as the JOTA calling channel, allowing participating stations to establish contact before moving to one of the TG31 to TG39 chat or TAC channels for longer conversations.

This arrangement gives clubs the opportunity to organise contacts between different JOTA locations without unnecessarily occupying the main calling talk group.

Get Your DMR Radios Ready Before the Weekend
To help clubs make the most of the facilities, a member of the St George Amateur Radio Society (SGARS) has prepared information on recommended DMR configurations for JOTA stations.

The information is available through the SGARS website and is intended to help operators prepare their radios before the event.

Clubs are encouraged to check their codeplugs, confirm access to the VK DMR Network and test the relevant talk groups ahead of time where possible.

Digital Radio Opens More Doors

JOTA has traditionally provided young people with an opportunity to communicate using HF, VHF and UHF amateur radio. The VK DMR Network adds another dimension by connecting participating stations through a network of digital radio repeaters.

For clubs with limited HF facilities, challenging propagation or restricted antenna installations, DMR can provide an additional pathway to connect Scouts and Guides with other JOTA stations.

It also provides a practical introduction to digital voice, talk groups, radio networking and the technology behind modern communications systems.

Importantly, the activity remains an opportunity for young people to experience amateur radio under the supervision of appropriately licensed operators.

If your amateur radio club is supporting Scouts or Guides during JOTA 2026, make use of the dedicated VK DMR facilities. Introduce young people to digital radio, establish contacts with other JOTA stations and demonstrate how amateur radio continues to combine traditional operating skills with modern communications technology.

The WIA thanks the VK DMR Working Group, the wider VK DMR Network community and the St George Amateur Radio Society for making this resource available.
Acknowledgement to Paul VK2GX, Secretary of the St George Amateur Radio Society, for providing this information through WIA National News.

Further information
- sgars.org - Link
- vkdmr.com - Link
- jotajoti.info - Link

Page Last Updated: Sunday, 11 Oct 2026 at 08:35 hours by Justin Giles-clark

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