The only merit badge that has "BSA" on it (in Morse code, of course!)

Radio Merit Badge

Updated for NEW 2002 requirements!
Changes effective January 1, 2002, are in red.

Notes to help make this merit badge a little easier

By AA6J Bill Jeffrey
Assistant Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor

These notes are designed to help the Scout earn a merit badge that sometimes can seem a bit difficult. They are not intended to replace the Radio Merit Badge book.You will still need to meet with a merit badge counselor.

Some Scouts think you have to have a ham radio license to get this merit badge. You don't, although if you are a ham it is a lot easier. Hopefully, though, you will see how much fun ham operators have and want to get your license, but if you don't that's cool too.

You do not have to know Morse code for this merit badge. (It used to be a requirement for second class!). You don't have to know a lot about electronics, science, or theory for this merit badge either.

What I've tried to do here is give you some simple notes that will make earning this merit badge a lot easier. The Radio Merit Badge book has a lot of good information in it, but these notes tell you what the requirements really want you to do.

Besides my notes, I've included links to some other web pages in case you want to learn more.

There are eight requirements for this merit badge:

What is radio?
How do radio waves travel?
Where do I tune the radio to find what I want?
How do radio waves carry information?
What about Safety precautions?
Do I have do know a lot about electronics to get this merit badge?
SO, WHAT IS AMATEUR RADIO ALL ABOUT?
How can I visit a radio installation?

If this site has been useful please let me know by Signing My Guestbook

Teaching a class? Click here for an instructor's manual and workbooks.

Links: At the bottom of each page in these notes I'll have some links to places you can go to get more information if you want to learn more. However, my notes will probably have everything you need to get your Radio merit badge, besides getting on the radio with your counselor!

AC6V's DX & Amateur Radio - My friend Rod has the world's best collection of links to amateur radio information.

Copyright Bill Jeffrey 2000-2003. Rights to reproduce and use for nonprofit purposes given.
Please do not copy this material to another web page. Thank you.

Last update March 25, 2003