The 103rd Reading Scout Group united with an amateur radio club for an international gathering.

Held on Saturday, October 19, the Jamboree on the Air event (JOTA) connects scout groups globally via radio and the internet, fostering communication skills.

RADARC (Reading and District Amateur Radio Club) teamed up with the scouts at their Kensington Park base for the annual event.

Scouts from the 103rd group participated in four communication activities, including internet communication, radio communication, and radio kit building.

David Honey callsign, G0DHO of RADARC coaches scouts while they make contacts with scout groups overseas. David Honey callsign, G0DHO of RADARC coaches scouts while they make contacts with scout groups overseas. (Image: Ace@acestudios.co.uk)

RADARC provided a radio, aerial set up, and club member David Honey, who offered basic radio training.

Scout members then took the microphone, speaking to 24 other scout groups in countries such as Eire, The Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and the UK.

RADARC also supplied some FM digital radio kits, tools, and tuition, enabling scouts to learn to solder components, build their own radios, and take them home.

Ray Brown, another club member, offered scouts a chance to try Morse code, which was first used in telegraph stations in 1844 and is still heard on the airwaves.

Elsie Taylor, 11yrs from West Reading and 103rd Scout Group member shows the circuit board of her radio before mounting into its case. Elsie Taylor, 11yrs from West Reading and 103rd Scout Group member shows the circuit board of her radio before mounting into its case. (Image: Ace@acestudios.co.uk)

Started in 1957, the JOTA event now involves roughly 600,000 Scouts and Guides, with assistance from over 23,000 radio amateurs across more than 100 countries.

The Scouts are the UK's largest mixed youth organisation.

Reading Central, one of the biggest districts in Royal Berkshire, boasts a total membership of over 10,000 and is rapidly growing.

The Scouts emphasise preparing young people with essential life skills, encouraging them to do more, learn more, and be more.

Each week, the organisation helps over 460,000 young people aged six to 25 enjoy fun and adventure while developing skills for success, now and in the future.

These skills, including teamwork, leadership, and resilience, have helped Scouts become everything from teachers and social workers to astronauts and Olympians.

The organisation also believes in fostering community spirit, celebrating diversity, and standing against intolerance.

The Scouts are part of a worldwide movement, creating stronger communities and inspiring positive futures.