Printable · JOTA weekend Oct 16-18, 2026
Radio listening log and signal bingo for scouts (printable)
Two free printables for scouts, leaders and anyone new to listening: a log laid out the way the Radio merit badge's listening option asks, and a bingo card of sounds to find on the dial.
For the Radio merit badge
The badge's shortwave and medium-wave listening option asks scouts to listen across several shortwave bands for four one-hour periods (at least one in daylight and one at night), log the stations properly, and find them on a map, globe or online map, plus medium-wave (AM) listening. Always check the current requirements with your counselor or Scouting America's Radio merit badge page; this log is a helper, not an official form.
Tips: log time in UTC (the time radio uses worldwide), write the frequency your radio shows, and note what you heard even if you don't know the station yet. The shortwave listening map and the signals by sound page help put a name to it.
Listening log
Name: ______________________ Radio and antenna: ______________________ Location: ______________
| Date | Time (UTC) | Frequency | Station or signal | Language / sound | Where it's from | Strength (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Signal bingo
For a JOTA station visit or a first night of listening: find a sound, mark the square. Every square links to a page where you can hear what it sounds like first.
Signal bingo · coheraradio.com
About Jamboree on the Air
JOTA-JOTI is World Scouting's yearly radio and internet event, held on the third full weekend of October; in 2026 it runs October 16-18 (jotajoti.info). Licensed hams set up stations so scouts can talk on the air under their supervision. Listening needs no license; transmitting does, which is why JOTA stations are run by licensed operators.