YOTA Austria 2026

This year’s Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) Summer Camp will take place from 25 July to 1 August 2026 in Wagrain, in the Austrian Alps. The event is being organised by ÖVSV, the Austrian Amateur Radio Society, and the IARU Region 1 Youth Committee.

The team representing the RSGB includes:

Tom, M1TJM (Team Leader)

Age: 25

Location: County Durham

What inspired you to get into amateur radio? I was introduced to amateur radio after visiting a railway museum where Bishop Auckland Radio Amateur Club was operating a special event station. Before that, I knew very little about it, but I was immediately fascinated by the technology, communication and experimentation involved. My late grandmother, GW1UHG, had also been involved in amateur radio, which made discovering the hobby feel even more special. What started as curiosity quickly became a real passion, and within six months I had completed all three licence levels.

What do you enjoy about amateur radio the most? I love operating portable, whether that be from a mountain or a park. Making the most of every Watt from a location with virtually no noise is incredibly satisfying. Alongside this, the huge variety of modes and bands available means there is always something new to experiment with and learn. Amateur radio constantly challenges me, and I enjoy how experimentation and determination can turn even a short activation into a real adventure.

What are you looking forward to most at YOTA Austria? I’m really looking forward to meeting other radio amateurs from different countries and learning from their experiences and operating styles. I’m also incredibly excited about the portable operating opportunities in the Austrian Alps – operating mountain-top-portable from such an amazing location is going to be a fantastic experience.

Filip, M7SZW

Age: 16

Location: London

What inspired you to get into amateur radio? I got into amateur radio through the Bletchley Park day as part of the Arkwright Scholarship and before that I had tried to build some of my own radio devices without even knowing amateur radio was a thing.

What do you enjoy about amateur radio the most? I still enjoy mostly building my own circuits and I am currently working on an end-of-year project at school for which I am building an SSB transmitter for the 2m band. It still surprises me when people manage to respond on my old radio that I managed to fix myself!

What are you looking forward to most at YOTA Austria? I am looking forward to visiting Austria and learning more about radio technology but also meeting others with similar passions as me.

Milo, M9ILO

Age: 17

Location: Brighton

What inspired you to get into amateur radio? The hopepunk podcast Lost Terminal, depicting amateur radio in use to restore the internet after a worldwide emergency scenario.

What do you enjoy about amateur radio the most? I like speaking to people from all different walks of life on air and building various contraptions to help me do it.

What are you looking forward to most at YOTA Austria? Meeting a bunch of new friends, hearing about YOTA in other countries and making longer range VHF contacts!

Check back here for more news during the camp

between 25 July to 1 August.