[BARC-List] Fw: ARLX003 BSA Updates Radio Merit Badge Requirements

[Arthur Ashley N1NHZ]

     Would being active in the teaching of Radio Merit Badge be a suitable activity for the Boston Amateur radio Club?

     Your thoughts on this, please.

--Arthur  N1NHZ, 73


--- On Wed, 2/25/09, ARRL Web site <memberlist at www.arrl.org> wrote:

> From: ARRL Web site <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
> Subject: ARLX003 BSA Updates Radio Merit Badge Requirements
> To: emailtoaa at yahoo.com
> Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 9:47 AM
> SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX003
> ARLX003 BSA Updates Radio Merit Badge Requirements
> 
> ZCZC AX03
> QST de W1AW  
> Special Bulletin 3  ARLX003
> From ARRL Headquarters  
> Newington CT  February 25, 2009
> To all radio amateurs 
> 
> SB SPCL ARL ARLX003
> ARLX003 BSA Updates Radio Merit Badge Requirements
>  
> The new BSA Radio Merit Badge Pamphlet includes color
> pictures and
> updated charts and text. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
> has updated
> the requirements needed to earn the Radio merit badge. The
> new
> requirements became effective with the publication of Boy
> Scout
> Requirements 2009. While no new content has been added to
> the
> program, the new merit badge pamphlet features lots of new
> information -- including color pictures and updated charts
> and text
> -- that reflects the changes in the Amateur Radio Service
> since the
> last pamphlet update in 2002. Approximately 4000 Radio
> merit badges
> are earned each year.
> 
> According to ARRL ad hoc Scouting Committee member Larry
> Wolfgang,
> WR1B, the new Radio Merit Badge pamphlet had been in the
> works for
> some time. "BSA has been replacing all merit badge
> pamphlets with
> new booklets using color graphics and more modern
> presentations," he
> said. "With attractive color photos and clear text
> explanations of
> the requirements, the new merit badge pamphlet is a
> pleasure for the
> Scouts to read. The new text is due in large part to the
> efforts of
> longtime Radio Merit Badge Counselor and K2BSA National
> Jamboree
> Staff member Mike Brown, WB2JWD. I am looking forward to
> using the
> new pamphlet to teach Radio merit badge at our
> Council's
> Merit-Badge-O-Ree this spring, and to having a supply of
> the new
> books available for Scouts during the 2009 summer camp
> season."
> 
> Wolfgang said that the requirements for the badge have been
> shifted
> around: "The old Part 4 of Requirement 7(b) Broadcast
> Radio was
> pulled out and placed in the main body of the requirements
> as
> Requirement 8. In addition, the old Requirement 8 (to visit
> a radio
> installation and discuss what types of equipment, how it
> was used,
> what types of licenses are required to operate and maintain
> the
> equipment, and the purpose of the station) was moved up to
> Requirement 7, so that now the three options appear as
> Requirement
> 9. The main result is one additional full
> requirement."
> 
> ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Director and Chairman of the
> League's
> ad hoc Scouting Committee Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, called
> the Radio
> Merit Badge "a perfect avenue to introduce Scouts and
> Scouters to
> the wonderful world of ham radio. Ham clubs across the
> nation should
> locate a local Boy Scout Troop, secure permission from
> their
> Scoutmaster and/or committee to teach the merit badge and
> deliver an
> exceptional Radio merit badge class. What the boys -- and
> their
> leaders and parents -- will learn in the process is a fair
> amount of
> what is part of the Technician license exam, so the next
> logical
> step after a merit badge class is an all-out recruiting
> effort to
> get that Troop involved in Amateur Radio. They'll meet
> new friends
> and have a great way of communicating while in transit to
> and from
> the field, as well as additional peace of mind through an
> effective
> means of emergency communications while in the
> backcountry."
> 
> Additional information -- which includes the new 2009
> requirements
> -- can be found on the web at,
> http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/02/24/10667/?nc=1
> NNNN
> /EX