IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group Chair Philipp DK6SP writes about the upcoming Youngsters On The Air (YOTA) activity month
On the IARU-R1 site he writes:
The entire month of December, several youngsters under the age of 26 will become active with YOTA as a suffix in the callsign. The idea behind this is to show the amateur radio hobby to youth and to encourage youngsters to be active on the ham radio waves.
Usually you hear YOTA stations on air from our summer and subregional camps throughout the year. This season has been an exception. Due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all our camps and events had to be cancelled. Therefore, nearly no possibilities were left to hear YOTA stations on the bands.
Hence, we as Team YOTA want to show the world that the youngsters still want and can be active on the bands during this difficult time. Help your local youngsters to get on the air throughout the December YOTA Month following your national health guidelines. Either you are a supporting elmer or under 26 years yourself, contact your society’s youth coordinator to be active with your national YOTA callsign. If your society did not apply for one yet, feel free to encourage them to do so of course. It will be a pleasure to work a lot of new youngsters on the bands!
Every ham radio operator can support the youth worldwide! By making a QSO with them, they can improve their skills on air and learn more about geography and ham radio abbreviations among others. The youngsters will be happy to get some attention and exchange information. Licensed and unlicensed youth will be making QSOs, be aware this could be their first radio contact ever and give them a chance to experience a possible new hobby.
As every year, there is again an award program available. Work as many YOTA stations on as many bands and modes as possible and be eligible for your Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum award for free. This program promotes the radio activity on the air waves and shows that there is and will be activity in the future.
