Troop 99 Radio School Completes 40% of TrainingWe are running Radio School for Tech Class for Amateur Radio Licenses. Candidates are Ron Maxwell, Dan Green, Ethan Green, Seth Green, Jeremy Maxwell and Carl Ayres. The group is studying the ARRL Q&A book with short code practice to break up the hour-long class. 6 more classes are scheduled through March 17. It is most helpful to have dads also working on their license along with their Scout sons. This is preparation for an FCC exam.
Benefits: we have had 3 Eagle projects using Radio as public service projects. Scouts have sent a lot of messages home from campouts where there sometimes is no cell phone access. We have had some planning meetings with Scouts and leaders on the air which saves a lot of time. Scouts may find it fun to talk with each other. We have had one Scout retrieved from a hike after becoming suddenly sick. We have 8 Troop members already licensed. Deb, Kevin, Jeff, Con, Jesse, Derrick, Alex, Judi and Jim.
There is a good network of "on-air" groups in the area. The FCC has relaxed the licensing requirements and increased privileges, and there are sections of the frequency spectrum open for them to try long-distance communications; both code and voice too. There is a digital mode called Echolink that can hook up a Scout with other stations world-wide by using one's computer and some free ware. Demo to follow for the group.
Entry level equipment may start at $150 for a radio and $35 for an antenna and go up. Some of us have built our own antennas and sometimes accessory gear is available used. A radio is usually best bought new, especially entry level. There are 2 radios and accessories owned by the troop and available for loan on a temporary basis.
You can look at sample tests and code practice on these sites:
http://www.aa9pw.com/radio/