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Amateur Radio and Scouting

Amateur radio relates to the Scouting mission in multiple dimensions from Cubs to Scouting advancement, directly with the Radio Merit Badge and indirectly though meeting requirements for other merit badges. While an amateur radio license is not required to meet these requirements, the obvious extension of radio interest is obtaining a license and getting on the air. The official Jamboree on the Air program every October gives Scouts with a license an opportunity to meet other radio operators on the air.

So how do adult Scouters learn about resources to help their Scouts to learn about completing requirements for Radio and other merit badges? How do Scouts learn how to talk to astronauts on the International Space Station? How do Scouters learn how to get their own radio license?

Answers will be found in a new Amateur Radio and Scouting course at Philmont Training Center.

The study of communication modes has been a focus of the Scouting movement since it arrived in the United States in 1910.

The Signaling Merit Badge was among the first set of merit badges available to Scouts and was first offered in 1911. It was discontinued in 1992 since the modes of communication of the early 1900s had been displaced by more modern modes of communication.

The Signaling Merit Badge was among the first set of merit badges available to Scouts and was first offered in 1911. It was discontinued in 1992 since the modes of communication of the early 1900s had been displaced by more modern modes of communication.

The Wireless Merit Badge was developed in 1918 and its evolution is now the Radio Merit Badge. The Radio Merit Badge helps Scouts through rank advancement. The Morse Code Interpreter Strip offers additional special recognition.

Service

Service to others is endemic to all aspects of the Scouting mission. Likewise amateur radio operators freely offer their communication services in support of community activities and in times of emergency.

ARES® is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Local repeaters are used to pass traffic in emergencies. The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is under the control of federal, state, and local emergency managers. Amateur radio operators are used to help the national Weather Service in the SKYWARN program. Weather reports from amateur radio operators help fill in information from the ground that Doppler radar can’t detect.

Amateur radio operators provide communication for numerous local events such as parades, races and walks often managed by charitable organizations.

Scouts with a radio license will likely be involved in one or more of these activities.

Beyond the Radio Merit Badge

Amateur Radio directly relates to the Radio Merit Badge. The BSA National Radio Scouting Committee has elaborated how radio activities fit into other Scout requirements. There are relationships to Tiger, Wolf, Webelos (Engineer elective) and Arrow of Light in Cub Scouting.

Radio experience and study also relates to the following merit badges:

  • Aviation
  • Citizenship in the World
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Engineering
  • Radio (obviously)
  • Space Exploration

Recognition for Adult Scouters

The ARRL Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award was officially recognized by the Boy Scouts of America in 2014. The award recognizes actively involved Scouting leaders who make a significant contribution to providing Scouts with a memorable and valuable Amateur Radio experience. Awardees may wear the Community Organization Award square knot on their uniform, in recognition of their service within their community organization.