The entire month of December several youngsters will become active with YOTA as suffix in the callsign. The idea for this is to show the amateur radio hobby to youth and to encourage youngsters to be active on the ham radio waves. Give a demonstration on a school or local club, gather together with your friends, grab a pizza and make some QSO’s or enjoy a great pile-up. Let us all show this great hobby to the world!

Feel free to make a QSO with the youngsters, they are happy to get some attention and exchange information. Licensed and unlicensed youth will be making QSO’s, be aware this could be their first radio contact ever and give them a chance to experience a possible new hobby.

Or apply for a YOTA callsign. To apply for this you need to follow some rules:

1- Follow the rules. Although this is a friendly activity, some rules are needed.
2- Have a callsign with YOTA in suffix. For example: PA6YOTA
3- Maximum of 2 callsigns per country. If you are willing to make an exception, for example your country has several prefix districts, feel free to contact us with your request.
4- Applicants must ensure that the callsign is used primarily to get Youngsters On The Air (Youngsters are defined by IARU R1 as ‘under-26’)
5– We kindly ask to upload the ADIF log on a daily basis. At least all QSO’s must be send as ADIF file before 10 January 2016.
6- All QSO’s must be made in December 2015.
7- This is NOT a contest, we are trying to spread the word! Talk to people about what we do, not only quick 5/9’s. Admitting, a pile-up is always fun and off course we all love it
8- All participating callsigns must apply!
Deadline for registration will be closed on 20 November 2015.

*we are aware that it is not possible to have a callsign with YOTA in suffix in all countries. Is this also your case and would you like to take part, contact us.
*all applicants applying for a YOTA callsign should be a member of an IARU member society.

More info: http://​www​.ham​-yota​.com/​d​e​c​e​m​b​e​r​-​y​o​t​a​-​m​o​n​th/
Registration page: http://​www​.ham​-yota​.com/​d​e​c​e​m​b​e​r​-​y​o​t​a​-​m​o​n​t​h​/​r​e​g​i​s​t​er/

In 2015 a new Youth Contesting Program (YCP) of IARU R1 will start. Youth members from IARU R1 member societies are invited to take part in a contest from so called “Top-Gun” stations. These young HAM’s will learn how to operate the contest station, improve their contest skills and will aim for the best results together as a team.
A youngster will probably be coming for the first time to the host country and will get the chance to experience this country and share amateur radio knowledge with local youngsters.

For more information and the application form visit this link.

5^th Edition of Youngsters On The Air started last Saturday in Marina di Massa, Italy. This year for the first time also teams outside Europe –Oman, Tunisia, South Africa– travelled to the YOTA event. All activities are organized by ARI and handled by ARI Tuscany Regional Committee.
The youth had already the opportunity to take part in a US license exam, tasted food and drinks from all countries and listened to a presentation from the Italian DXpedition team in Africa.
Follow the youngsters on www​.ham​-yota​.com. They are actively posting blogs, pictures and movies. Or try to make a QSO with II5YOTA. This special callsign is active till 25^th of July.