[OFARC] Scout Merit Badge Fair to feature RADIO

[Ralph (home)]

We have been asked to present the Radio Merit Badge at a merit badge fair
Saturday Feb 17

It will be at Westbury Baptist Church (near W. Bellfort and Stella Link)

 

The class time available is from 9am to 4pm

It has been suggested we do 2 classes of a half day each.

That is possible, but is better done over the full time.

 

The requirements are listed below and a worksheet for the Merit Badge is
attached for reference.

NOTE there are 4 options under Requirement #9 . 2 involve amateur radio

 

I would like 3 volunteers to help.

Please let me know if you can help.

 

Ralph

 


Radio merit badge requirements 

 <https://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Image:128px-Padlock-orange.png> 


1.	Explain what radio is. Then discuss the following: 

a. The differences between broadcast radio and hobby radio. 

b. The differences between broadcasting and two-way communications. 

c. Radio call signs and how they are used in broadcast radio and amateur
radio 

d. The phonetic alphabet and how it is used to communicate clearly. 

2.	Do the following: 

a. Sketch a diagram showing how radio waves travel locally and around the
world. 

b. Explain how the broadcast radio stations, WWV and WWVH can be used to
help determine what you will hear when you listen to a shortwave radio? 

c. Explain the difference between a distant (DX) and a local station. 

d. Discuss what the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does and how it
is different from the International Telecommunication Union. 

3.	Do the following: 

a. Draw a chart of the electromagnetic spectrum covering 300 kilohertz (kHz)
to 3000 megahertz (MHz). 

b. Label the MF, HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave portions of the spectrum on
your diagram. 

c. Locate on your chart at least eight radio services such as AM and FM
commercial broadcast, citizens band (CB), television, amateur radio (at
least four amateur radio bands), and public service (police and fire). 

4.	Explain how radio waves carry information. Include in your
explanation: transceiver, transmitter, receiver, amplifier, and antenna. 
5.	Do the following: 

a. Explain the differences between a block diagram and a schematic diagram. 

b. Draw a block diagram for a radio station that includes a transceiver,
amplifier, microphone, antenna, and feed line. 

c. Discuss how information is sent when using amplitude modulation AM),
frequency modulation (FM), continuous wave (CW) Morse Code transmission,
single sideband (SSB) transmission, and digital transmission. 

d. Explain how NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) can alert you to danger. 

e. Explain how cellular telephones work. Identify their benefits and
limitations in an emergency. 

6.	Explain the safety precautions for working with radio gear,
including the concept of grounding for direct current circuits, power
outlets, and antenna systems. 
7.	Visit a radio installation (an amateur radio station, broadcast
station, or public communications center, for example) approved in advance
by your counselor. Discuss what types of equipment you saw in use, how it
was used, what types of licenses are required to operate and maintain the
equipment, and the purpose of the station. 
8.	Find out about three career opportunities in radio. Pick one and
find out the education, training, and experience required for this
profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this
profession might interest you. 
9.	Do ONE of the following: (a OR b OR c OR d) 

a. Amateur Radio 

1. Tell why the FCC has an amateur radio service. Describe some of the
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.) 

b. Radio Broadcasting 

1. Discuss with your counselor FCC broadcast regulations. Include power
levels, frequencies, and the regulations for low-power stations. 

2. Prepare a program schedule for radio station "KBSA" of exactly one-half
hour, including music, news, commercials, and proper station identification.
Record your program on audiotape or in a digital audio format using proper
techniques. 

3. Listen to and properly log 15 broadcast stations Determine the program
format and target audience for five of these stations. 

4. Explain to your counselor at least eight terms used in commercial
broadcasting, such as segue, cut, fade, continuity, remote, Emergency Alert
System, network, cue, dead air, PSA, and play list. 

5. Discuss with your counselor alternative radio platforms such as internet
streaming, satellite radio, and podcasts. 

c. Shortwave and Medium-Wave Listening 

1. Listen across several shortwave bands for four one-hour periods - at
least one period during daylight hours and at least one period at night. Log
the stations properly and locate them geographically on a globemap, globe,
or web-based mapping service. 

2. Listen to several medium-wave stations for two one-hour periods, one
period during daylight hours and one period at night. Log the stations
properly and locate them on a map, globe, or web-based mapping service. 

3. Compare your daytime and nighttime shortwave logs; note the frequencies
on which your selected stations were loudest during each session. Explain
the differences in the signal strength from one period to the next. 

4. Compare your medium-wave broadcast station logs and explain why some
distant stations are heard at your location only during the night. 

5. Demonstrate listening to a radio broadcast using a smartphone/cell phone.
Include international broadcasts in your demonstration. 

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". 

 

 

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