I know some scouts that know more about Ham radio than some Generals AND Extras that been hams for only about 2 years Go scouts........
The changes to the Radio MB was not good. Old Requirements (do a-amateur radio, or b-broadcast radio(not shown), or c-shortwave listening(not shown): (a) Amateur Radio (1) Tell why the FCC has an amateur radio service. Describe activities that amateur radio operators can do on the air, once they have earned an amateur radio license. (2) Explain differences between the Technician, General, and Extra Class license requirements and privileges. Explain who administers amateur radio exams. (3) Explain at least five Q signals or amateur radio terms. (4) Explain how you would make an emergency call on voice or Morse code. (5) Explain the differences between handheld transceivers and home “base” transceivers. Explain the uses of mobile amateur radio transceivers and amateur radio repeaters. (6) Using proper call signs, Q signals, and abbreviations, carry on a 10-minute real or simulated amateur radio contact using voice, Morse code, or digital mode. (Licensed amateur radio operators may substitute five QSL cards as evidence of contacts with five amateur radio operators. Properly log the real or simulated ham radio contact, and record the signal report.) What they did was add a new "d-RDF", which NOW becomes another complete alternative to a-amature radio, and this one totally eliminated all the introduction to amateur radio stuff above and does just this as requirements instead: (d) Amateur Radio Direction Finding (1)Describe amateur radio direction finding and explain why direction finding is important as both an activity and in competition. (2)Describe what frequencies and equipment are used for ARDF or fox hunting. (3)Build a simple directional antenna for either of the two frequencies used in ARDF. (4)Participate in a simple fox hunt using your antenna along with a provided receiver. (5)Using your receiver, show on a map how you located the “fox.” They should have KEPT those amateur radio introduction information requirements 1-5 from (a), and instead made the RDF participation merely an alternate to the existing QSO requirement(6) in the regular amateur radio section(a). Eg THIS IS WHAT it should have been. (a) Amateur Radio (1) Tell why the FCC has an amateur radio service. Describe activities that amateur radio operators can do on the air, once they have earned an amateur radio license. (2) Explain differences between the Technician, General, and Extra Class license requirements and privileges. Explain who administers amateur radio exams. (3) Explain at least five Q signals or amateur radio terms. (4) Explain how you would make an emergency call on voice or Morse code. (5) Explain the differences between handheld transceivers and home “base” transceivers. Explain the uses of mobile amateur radio transceivers and amateur radio repeaters. Do requirement (6a) OR (6b) (6a) Using proper call signs, Q signals, and abbreviations, carry on a 10-minute real or simulated amateur radio contact using voice, Morse code, or digital mode. (Licensed amateur radio operators may substitute five QSL cards as evidence of contacts with five amateur radio operators. Properly log the real or simulated ham radio contact, and record the signal report.) [NOTE: as a MB Councilor we always do this as going to my shack and having 5 real QSO's (mix of SSB/and PSK31) for fun.] (6b) Describe amateur radio direction finding and explain why direction finding is important as both an activity and in competition. Describe what frequencies and equipment are used for ARDF or fox hunting. Build a simple directional antenna for either of the two frequencies used in ARDF. Participate in a simple fox hunt using your antenna along with a provided receiver. (5)Using your receiver, show on a map how you located the “fox.” This was obviously rushed just for the National Jamboree which is planning to do a big RDF thing this year, and not well thought out.
The elitist group of guys who covet the Ham Radio aspects of scouting are hard to figure out. I guess its up to real ham radio operators to make sure the Radio Merit Badge provides the right experience to introduce radio. Those cheap Chinese xcvrs on ebay are a golden key to the ham radio experience..Imagine building a station, getting a license, then getting on the air for under $10. remember the day of the Boys Life Radio Club? Boys Life magazine had receiver projects, power supply projects, sponsored shortwave listening and ham contest with awesome prizes. I am mentor for several STEM programs and just shake my head when I see some of the stuff in the scouting curriculum.
