[HCARC] FW: South Texas ARRL Section News

[Lee Besing]

The BSA has always had a Radio Merit Badge. Is this one new or different
somehow?

The San Antonio Radio Club sponsors a JOTA event every year, but local
participation has dwindled from the area scout troops in recent years.  In
2012, only one troop showed up with about 8 boys, but Bob Rodriguez, K5AUW,
put on a great hands-on presentation and demonstration, letting the scouts
be exposed to the ham radio hobby and helping them meet the requirements of
the merit badge.  Last year Bob, K5AUW, also worked with the Chaparral
Amateur Radio Club in Seguin to put on a multi-week ham radio class,
followed by a VE test session. Only a handful of scouts actually passed, but
it was more than if nothing had been tried.  Their scoutmaster just joined
the Hill Country REACT Team as a member for 2013.

We need to get more younger folks into our ham radio hobby, if we intend for
it to thrive, not just survive, for the next 50 years.  Just my opinion of
course.

Lee Besing, N5NTG
Phone (210)771-7075 (cell) voice or text msg lee at besing.com

-----Original Message-----
From: hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Harry Folk
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2013 11:27 AM
To: Gary and Arlene Johnson; hcarc
Subject: Re: [HCARC] South Texas ARRL Section News


Gary,
Recently I saw an article mentioning that Scouting has now added a badge for
Licensed Ham Radio operators. It is apparently also retroactive.
HankKF5QBF