[SIERA] June 5 meeting

[Dick Young]

For 2010, the Boy Scouts initiated a couple of long forgotten merit badges.
One is the "Signaling" Merit Badge.

Mark Spencer, ARRLs Education and Technology Program Coordinator,
will explain some of the history of this Merit Badge and how we can help our
local Scouts achieve a level that few have experienced.  Falling into the
"old'n days of texting" we can help others experience some nostalgia.  Fact
is, maybe we can experience some of that ourselves.  The badge is a pair of
crossed semaphore flags.  It's a treasure, only available this year.

Going from SIDs to old time signaling is quite a jump.  Only a person of
great talent can master the transition.

Requirements for the Signaling merit badge:

   1. Make an electric buzzer outfit, wireless, blinker, or other signaling
   device.
   2. Send and receive in the International Morse Code, by buzzer or other
   sound device, a complete message of not less than 35 words, at a rate of not
   less than 35 letters per minute.
   3. Demonstrate an ability to send and receive a message in the
   International Morse Code by wigwag and by blinker or other light signaling
   device at the rate of not less than 20 letters per minute.
   4. Send and receive by Semaphore Code at the rate of not less than 30
   letters per minute.
   5. Know the proper application of the International Morse and Semaphore
   Codes; when, where, and how they can be used to best advantage.
   6. Discuss briefly various other codes and methods of signaling which are
   in common use.

Set aside June 5 at 1 PM.  Mark Spencer at the United Methodist Church.
You'll be glad you saved the date.


SIERA - the voice of Amateur Radio in the Carson Valley.