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1-7 of 7 messages
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Page 1 of 1
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Scout Camps
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by KC9ATJ on November 5, 2006
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I am currently a scout leader thinking about presenting a proposal to my council to start offering (among others) the radio and possibly the electronics merit badges in addition to possibly offering a tech class and testing session. I don't think I could get it in for this next summer, but I'm thinking about pushing for next summer (summer 2008).
What I'm wanting is some ideas of how other camps (scout and other youth) have everything set up. How do you have your station set up? Indoors or out? Do you use your own call, or does the camp have it's own call? How do you get around the rule of being paid at camp and using amateur equipment?
I'm wanting to do this to get youth excited about amateur radio. After all, I got into this hobby because I took a class just so I could get the radio merit badge.
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RE: Scout Camps
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by W5CUL on November 8, 2006
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Hi Joel,
I have been teaching the Radio Merit Badge for our council's Winter Camp for several years now. It is basically a volunteer position, coordinated between me and the Camp Director, with no money exchanging hands. This has worked out well for both parties, as I am a part of the captive audience during the whole camp as well.
Regarding the station setup, well, that changes from year to year. One year, I tuned up the old Swan and brought it out to camp. The Scouts were definitely in awe when it came time to talk on this "ancient" radio. The last several years I have been using my mobile rig out of the truck; TS-480HX with a Screwdriver. This has worked out well considering I am able to remote the control head/microphone for both the radio and antenna up to 40' with no problems. Which brings me to your next question, Indoors or out? I prefer outdoors, in a large canvas wall tent, with a table and easel on one end. This provides shelter, work space for the radio gear, and adequate room for the scouts and their camp chairs. But more importantly it encourages visitors to stop on in and see what is going on, thus you reach a larger audience. As for the last question, call sign, I use my own. It makes it simpler for me when handling QSL Card responses during that time frame. Keep in mind, there are a lot of administrative expectations that come along with a club call sign.
Here are some other things that I have found that help out tremendously. Select those requirements within the Merit Badge Book, when given a choice, which you can best achieve in the allotted time frame. Create a work packet based on the selection, or modify one of the all encompassing work packets that can be found on the web. A week prior to the class, provide the work packet to either your District Executive or Camp Director, and ask them to print off X + %20 of the packets to be passed out to the participating Scouts. I have the Scouts use these packets to complete their requirements. At the end of the last day of class I have them turn in their work packets, I go over them, and then place them in their Troop's overall Camp packet to be returned to the Scout.
Talk with your fellow Ham friends and enlist them to participate in prescheduled contacts. This helps out tremendously. Also, be prepared to answer any call on the bands. I usually keep the radio turned on, volume set to mid, tuned on 20M while I am giving the instructional portion of the class. You never know what country or who you may hear. Last year, while providing instruction, I heard Santa (W6S) on the band and immediately called out to him. Let's just say that Santa asked for and received control of the audience in the tent for about 20 minutes!!! The Scout's, as well as Santa, had a blast. Word spread like wildfire, and as such, that was the talk of the camp.
Keep a log of who talked to whom, and try to send out QSL cards for every contact made. If and when you receive QSL cards back, send them to the Scout's Scoutmaster, and ask him to present them to their Scout at the next Court of Honor. It is always a nice surprise to receive something unexpected at the Court of Honor.
And last but not least, keep several copies of contact information for your local radio clubs handy. Each year I have visiting parents tell me how much of an impression the class has made on their son, where can they find out more information.
Well, I hope this helps out a little. And I must say sorry for the lengthy reply. But I do have a tendency to get a little excited when hearing the prospect of another Amateur Radio Op/Scout Leader joining the ranks as a Radio Merit Badge Instructor.
Take care,
Mike
W5CUL
Committee Chairman
Troop 97
Austin, Texas
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RE: Scout Camps
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by KC9ATJ on November 12, 2006
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I guess I should clarify. I was wanting to do this for during the summer. In our council we have six weeks of Boy Scout summer camp, two weeks of Cub Scout Camp, and a week of Staff Development. That was the reason that I was wondering about getting around the payment for amateur radio thing. If it was a weekend thing or something, I would be more than happy to volenteer my services, but for being there for upwards of 9 weeks, I really need to get some pay (I'm still classified as a poor college student, being 22 and all).
I'm not trying to complain about what you told me. You did give me some good ideas about setup and such. I hope to hear from you soon and hope to get some more ideas
YIS and 73
Joel Pelz
KC9ATJ
Advancement Chair
Crew 2715
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RE: Scout Camps
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by N8CUI on November 15, 2006
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I found this on the FCC website. I would hope it would apply to your situation at a Scout Camp. The question is whether a Scout Camp qualifies as an educational institution.
Q: What do the Rules provide with respect to compensation for the use of an amateur station or for being the control operator of an amateur station?
Section 97.113 states that an station must not transmit communications for hire or for material compensation, direct or indirect, paid or promised, except as otherwise provided in Part 97. Section 97.3, moreover, defines the term "amateur service" as "A radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest."
Q: Are there exceptions to this rule?
Yes. Section 97.113 provides for two situations where a person may accept compensation for being the control operator of an amateur station:
As an incident of a teaching position during periods of time when an amateur station is used by that teacher as a part of classroom instruction at an educational institution.
As the control operator of a club station transmitting telegraphy practice or information bulletins. Compensation may be accepted, however, only:
For those periods of time when the station is transmitting telegraphy practice or bulletins; and
Where the station transmits telegraphy practice and bulletins for at least 40 hours per week; and
Where operations are scheduled on at least six amateur service MF and HF bands using reasonable measures to maximize coverage; and
Where the schedule of normal operating times and frequencies is published at least 30 days in advance of the actual transmissions; and
Where the control operator does not accept any direct or indirect compensation for any other service as a control operator.
Jim, N8CUI
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RE: Scout Camps
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by W5CUL on November 21, 2006
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Joel,
Do not think that you were complaining, I didn't take that way. I understand that you are looking for an answer to a very important question. And it looks like Jim (N8CUI) beat me to the possible answer. According to Jim's post of Part 97 that governs acceptance of payment, and considering that you are being paid as camp staff, there may be no issue. It sounds like you will be paid for services as Camp Staff, and that you would like to take the opportunity to teach the Radio Merit Badge on top of other duties. This doesn't sound like a problem to me, but I am no expert. I would suggest that you contact the ARRL and pose the scenario to them. I am pretty sure this has come up several times over the years. And keep me posted on what the outcome is. I would surely be interested in hearing about the outcome.
If you have anymore questions, or looking to bounce some ideas off of someone, feel free to contact me directly. You will find my email address in QRZ.
Take care,
Mike
W5CUL
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RE: Scout Camps
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by KB3FGJ on November 21, 2006
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May I offer these resources.
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/#scout
http://www.botkin.org/dale/troop435/index.html
http://www.meritbadge.com/home.htm
I agree that outside is the best. Use whatever radios you are comfortable with. Setting up a wire antenna is a great hands-on project.
When I did a session for one week we managed a satellite contact one night through SO-50. We were even lucky enough to have a visible pass of the ISS a half hour before that. I let the Astronomy and Space Exploration counselors know about that. There was a good crowd available that night that saw amateur radio in action.
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RE: Scout Camps
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by K2GW on January 29, 2007
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There's a bunch of free Radio Merit Badge instructor material available at http://k2gw.tripod.com/radiomeritbadge/
It also includes lesson plans for 3 class or 5 class summer camp schedule.
BTW, BSA considers itself an educational institution. It's unique in that kids decide to join this institutional education because it's fun! Ham operators who happen to be paid members of a camp staff have been around for decades with no problem.
The compensation rule is only there to prevent commerical and public safety agencies from using ham operators and the amateur bands for full time non-amateur purposes.
73
Gary, K2GW
Unit Commissioner
CNJ Council
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