GOTA (Guides on the Air) began in 1985 to celebrate 75 years of Guiding in Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. GOTA is sponsored by the Canadian Ladies Amateur Radio Association (CLARA). GOTA has grown each year with more countries taking part. Some Canadian Call Areas now have an operator sponsoring the GGC suffix e.g. VE1GGC, VE3GGC, VA3GGC, VE4GGC. There are many Amateur Radio Operators, winter camps, clubs, schools, fire halls, Red Cross, churches and Military bases involved in GOTA.
We appreciate your participation in GOTA. GOTA is always held the third full weekend in February, which is close to Thinking Day (February 22nd) . GOTA falls during the week when Girl Guides of Canada - Guides du Canada celebrates the birthdays of our founders, and when we make a special effort to extend our hands in friendship to as many as possible other members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). GOTA is a special and exciting way to extend a friendly hand.
It is a special thrill to be able to communicate with our Guiding sisters around the world and we thank you for your contribution to making this a successful event. We hope that you enjoy working with our Guiders and Girl Members and that you communicate with a number of new friends as well.
GOTA is spreading in the USA. Girl Scouts are joining their Guiding sisters on the air each February. Please keep them in mind & use frequencies that are available to American hams. In USA GOTA is known as Thinking Day on the Air (TDOTA).