Radio Merit BadgeBoy Scouts of America

Module 1 - Radio BasicsBSA National Radio Scouting Committee 2012

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1 - What is Radio? 1a,1b - Types of Radio Services 1c - Radio Call Signs & Identification 1d - The Phonetic Alphabet 2a - Radio Wave Propagation, WWV & WWVH 2b - The FCC & ITU 3a - The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Key Topics in This Module

Electronic communication from one location to another without wires

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What Is Radio?

1920s-era Radio Receiver

Where Radio is used

Radio is used in: broadcast receivers two way radios televisions cellular telephones wireless LANs garage door openers

car locks EZPass satellites pagers radar microwave ovens etc, etc

Requirement 1

Broadcast - One-way transmissions to the public. Could be commercial (music, news, sports with advertisements) or non-commercial (National Public Radio, school radio stations, Voice of America)

Broadcast Radio

Requirement 1

Two Way Radios both send (transmit) and receive messages. walkie-talkies Amateur Radio cell phones fire and police aviation ships military, etc.

Two-Way Communications

Requirement 1

A volunteer non-commercial radio service devoted to educational, recreational and emergency purposes

“HAM” Radio

“Hobby” Radio

Amateur RadioThree Types Of

Radio

Requirement 1

A place to learn about radio! Called the “Amateur Radio Service” because it

can’t be used for profit. An important part of disaster response. A lot of fun!

Why Amateur Radio?

Requirement 1

Call Signs are identification. They show you have a license to transmit.

Broadcast Call Signs WHO, KDKA, KORA, WNBC

Ham Call Signs WW3Y, KB3BOY, VR2DK, 9N1MM, JA1ABC A92EB/OZ, G4RZC/MM All ham call signs contain a number

Radio Call Signs

Requirement 1

Every US station has a call sign issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Broadcast call signs begin with K or W

KXAS WBAP

Amateur call signs begin with A, K, N or W

AB2SN KF0WT NY8N W0JMD

Special Event Amateur call signs K0B

US Call Signs

Requirement 1

Amateur Radio Call Signs

Requirement 1

Phonetic Alphabet

Alfa AL fah

Bravo BRAH VOH

Charlie CHAR lee

Delta DELL tah

Echo ECK oh

Foxtrot FOX trot

Golf GOLF

Hotel hoh TELL

India IN dee ah

Juliet JEW lee ETT

Kilo KEY loh

Lima LEE mah

Mike MIKE

November no VEM ber

Oscar OSS cah

Papa pah pah

Quebec keh BECK

Romeo ROW me oh

Sierra see AIR rah

Tango TANG go

Uniform YOU nee form

Victor VIK ter

Whiskey WISS key

X-Ray ECKS RAY

Yankee YANG kee

Zulu ZOO loo

Example: “My name is Tom – tango, oscar, mike – Tom”Requirement 1

Ground Wave Sky Wave Ionosphere Skip Local DX

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How High Frequency (HF) Radio Waves Travel (Propagation)

Requirement 2

Ionosphere (80 km)Sky Waves

Ground Wave

Skip Zone

How VHF & UHF Radio Waves Travel - Line of Sight

Transmits on standard frequencies

If you can hear WWV, the HF bands are open

..

Radio Station WWV

2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 Mhz

Fort Collins, CO

Requirement 2

Regulation of Radio

ITU International

Telecommunications Union

Meets every few years. Sets International

Frequency assignments.

Assigns prefixes to countries.

FCC Federal Communication

Commission Set Frequency

Assignments in US. Issues Licenses & Call

Signs in US. Enforces Radio Laws in

US.

Requirement 2

So, what frequencies are assigned to whom?

AM Broadcast Radio FM Broadcast Radio Short Wave Broadcast Television Broadcast CB Radio Police Radio Amateur Radio

540 - 1600 kHz 88 - 108 MHz 5 - 22 MHz Channel 2 = 54-60 MHz 27 MHz 450-470 MHz 3.5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50, 150 MHz

80, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2 meters

Freq=C/meters

C=300,000,000 or

Freq (MHz)= 300/meters

Requirement 3

Frequency - Measured in Hertz (kilohertz, megahertz, gigahertz)

Wavelength – Measured in meters (cm)

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The Electromagnetic Spectrum

SoundLong Radio Wavelengths

Short Radio Wavelengths Microwaves

The Electromagnetic SpectrumMedium Frequency (MF)

High Frequency (HF)

Very High Frequency (VHF)

Ultra High Frequency (UHF)

Requirement 3

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DRAW the Electromagnetic SpectrumMF

HF

VHF

UHF

Marine AM Broadcast

300 Khz 3 Mhz

Marine / Navigation

3 Mhz

30 Mhz

300 Mhz

30 Mhz

300 Mhz

3 Ghz

WiFiUHF Ham

10m Ham

VHF HamFM BroadcastTV TV

TV

Air P/F

Cellular Police/Fire

International Shortwave Broadcast

6m Ham

Radio Merit BadgeBoy Scouts of America

Module 2

Electronics, Safety & CareersBSA National Radio Scouting Committee2012

4 – How Radio Carries Information 5a – Radio Schematic Diagrams 5a, 5b – Radio Block Diagrams 5c – Types of Electrical Circuits 5d – Electronic Components & Symbols 6 – Radio Safety 8 – Careers in Radio

Key Topics in This Module

How Do Radio Waves Carry Sounds or Information?

FM

AM

PM

Requirement 4

Continuous Wave (CW) The Oldest Digital Mode

Works by simply turning the transmitter on and off in a pattern called Morse Code.

Requirement 4

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Modern Components

Requirement 5d

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Older Components

Requirement 5d

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Properties

Resistor – opposes or “resists” current flowmeasured in ohms

Capacitor – stores energy in electric fieldmeasured in farads

Inductor – stores energy in a magnetic fieldmeasured in henries

Record These In Your Workbook

Conductors conduct (carry) electricity. Most metals (gold, silver, aluminum, copper) Many liquids (water)

Insulators insulate (don’t carry) electricity. Air Most rubbers and plastics Most ceramics Wood and cloth (when dry and at low voltage)

Conductors & Insulators

Direct Current (DC) – flows only one direction; produced by battery

Alternating Current (AC) – flows in first one direction then another; found in our home electrical outlets

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Types of Electrical Current

Voltage – electrical pressure (volts)

Current – the flow of electricity through a circuit (amps)

Power – the ability to do work (watts)

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Basic Electrical Terms

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Block Diagram vs. Schematic

AudioSignal

PreAmp

RFOscillator

Mixer

CarrierSignal

FinalAmp

ModulatedRF Signal

Block Diagram: Outlines the various functions within an electronic device

Input Output

Schematic Diagram: Uses standard electrical symbols to describe an electrical circuit in detail

LED flashlight

+

3V

Switch 120 ohm

Radio Transmitter

Schematic Symbols

Fuse Contains a thin wire which is made to melt which protects the rest of the circuit from damage if there is too much current from a short circuit.

Battery Stores electric energy.

Resistor

Resists the flow of electric current, reducing its flow.

Variable resistor

Like a regular resistor, but adjustable. For example, the volume knob on your stereo.

Earth ground

A connection between the equipment (radio) and the earth, usually through a copper pipe driven into the soil.

Chassis ground

A connection of the negative side of the electronic circuit to the chassis, or steel frame, of the equipment.

Requirement 5

Represent Individual Electronic Parts (“Components”)

Schematic Symbols (cont.)

Capacitor

Gets and stores an electric charge. Lets alternating current (AC - like in your house) flow but stops direct current (DC - like from a battery).

Variable capacitor

Same as a regular capacitor, but adjustable.

NPN transistor

Amplifies a current.

PNP transistor

Amplifies a current.

Inductor Also called a choke or coil, it works the opposite of a capacitor. It lets DC flow but stops AC.

Tube A vacuum tube made of glass with wire filaments inside. Amplifies a current. It has been replaced by transistors in most home equipment, but is still found in some high power radio transmitters.

Requirement 5

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Schematic Symbols

+

Resistor SPST Switch Light-EmittingDiode

Battery Capacitor Inductor Transformer

DiodeTransistorVariableCapacitor

VariableResistor

(Potentiometer)

EarthGround

CircuitGround

Draw Schematic Symbols In Your

Workbook

Microphone Takes in Audio or Digital signal input

Transmitter Creates an RF “carrier” Modulates the carrier

Receiver Receives a radio signal Demodulates the carrier

Transceiver Both a transmitter and receiver in one box

Amplifier Increases RF signal power

Tuner Matches transmitter to antenna

Feed line Provides path to antenna

Antenna Radiates the RF signal

Key or Paddle For sending Morse code

TNC (Terminal Node Controller) A computers “Radio Modem”

How Radios Send and Receive Information

Transceiver Amplifier Tuner

Microphone

Key/Paddle

TNC Computer

Requirement 4

Detailed Block Diagram

Shows how the radio works.Requirement 5

Closed Circuit Circuit is complete. Electricity flows like it should.

Open Circuit Circuit is incomplete. Electricity doesn’t flow.

Short Circuit Circuit is complete through an unplanned shortcut. Electricity flows where it shouldn’t! Dangerous – parts can get hot, start fires or even explode!

Types of Electrical Circuits

Requirement 5

+3V

S1 120 ohm

Current Flow

LED flashlight

+3V

S1 120 ohm

Current Flow

LED flashlight

On

Off

Fuse

Never operate radios with the cover off. The case keeps the RF radiation in.

Exposure to high levels of RF can cause burns and cancer Human eyes especially sensitive to RF. Keep antennas out of reach.

Hams required to conduct a “routine station evaluation” to verify safe operation Usually done by consulting a chart.

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Safety With RF Energy

Make sure the power is disconnected before working. Electric shock can hurt or kill.

Even with the power off, some parts inside the radio can hold a dangerous charge. If you don't know what you are doing, get help.

Disconnect radios when not in use Connect antennas to ground when not in use

Radio Safety

Requirement 6

Make sure antennas cannot touch power lines you could be electrocuted when

using the radio. NEVER OVER or UNDER

power lines Where they could fall on a power

line in any direction Where a person could touch the antenna Be careful working on towers and roofs

You could fall or hurt someone on the ground.

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Antennas & Towers

AC Outlet Grounding Ground wire connected to house wiring. Equipment uses 3 prong plugs to ground equipment case. If wire inside touches case, house circuit breaker is opened.

Direct Current Grounding Hams add another ground rod and connect all of their station

equipment cases to it as well. Provides additional safety and grounds any stray RF.

Antenna Grounding Use lightning protectors where antennas enter the house. These bleed off static electricity. No protection to a direct strike.

Grounding

Requirement 6

Minimum fatal voltage – 30 volts

Minimum fatal current if passed through the human heart – 1/10th of an amp

Power lines are un-insulated and carry thousands of volts – never touch them!

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Safety With Electricity

Broadcasting Announcer/Personality Station Manager/Program Director/ Music Director

Technical Radio Engineer Radio Technician Cellular Phone Technician

Operators Public Safety Dispatcher Military Radio Operator

Radio Careers

Requirement 8

Most jobs require high school diploma. Colleges offer courses in broadcasting and

communications. Gain broadcasting experience at college radio stations. Radio technicians attend trade schools or community

colleges. Radio engineers study electrical engineering at college. Organizations such as APCO and NARTE offer radio

licensing training courses and certifications.

Education for Radio Careers

Requirement 8

Radio Merit BadgeBoy Scouts of America

Module 3 – Amateur RadioBSA National Radio Scouting Committee 2012

9.a.(1) – Why does the FCC have an Amateur Radio Service?

9.a.(1) – Amateur Radio Activities 9.a.(2) – Real / Simulated Radio Contact 9.a.(3) – Q Signals & Abbreviations 9.a.(4) – Amateur Radio Licenses 9.a.(5) – Emergency Procedures 9.a.(6) – Types of Amateur stations 9.a.(6) – Repeaters NOAA Weather Radio

Key Topics in This Module

Volunteer service - (community service and disaster help). A Scout does a good turn daily - here's another way.

International goodwill - A great way to talk to people in far away lands.

Experimentation - If you want, you can build your own radio equipment, and many hams build their own antennas. Some hams have come up with new inventions, such as FM, SSB, Packet Radio, Automatic Position Reporting Systems.

Communication skills - Because only one person can talk at a time, you learn how to listen!

Self-training - You can learn by doing.

Why does the FCC have an Amateur Radio Service?

Requirement 9 a (1)

DX Many hams talk to other hams around the world They can collect QSL cards (postcards) to prove they did it. (Collect

countries!) It's a great way to have fun and learn about geography.

Contests Held many weekends to contact as many people from a certain place

or in a certain way.

Packet radio Some hams hook computers to radios to send electronic messages. Rather like wireless e-mail.

Amateur Radio Activities 1

Requirement 9 a (1)

Camping Communications are easy even in the backcountry Can summon help or report back how things are going.

“Fox” hunting (Radio Direction Finding) Used to locate:

Hidden transmitters Tagged wildlife Downed aircraft Life rafts Stolen cars

Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) is the third weekend every October

when Scouts all over the world talk to each other on ham radio.

Amateur Radio Activities 2

Requirement 9 a (1)

Public Service At parades & special events.

From small carnivals all the way to the Tournament of Roses Parade. Ham radio operators are often the best to help with communication at

large community events

Disasters Hams are often called on to help during fires, floods, earthquakes, and

other disasters. At these times, telephone lines and cell phone sites are often damaged

or overloaded, Ham radio is the only reliable communication.

Skywarn National Weather Service uses Hams to report severe weather .

Amateur Radio Activities 3

Requirement 9 a (1)

Q Signals and Amateur Terms

QRM Man-made interference 

QRN Natural noise or interference

QRP Low Power (< five watts) 

QRS Slow down Morse code speed

QRT Quitting - off the air 

QSB Signal is fading

QSL Acknowledge receipt (card) 

QSO Conversation ("cue-so")

QSY Change frequency 

QTH Location (think H for Home)

Log Record of QSOs 

CWMorse code (means Continuous Wave)

DXDistant (foreign stations)

 CQ Calling any station ("seek you")

OM Old man (male ham) 

YL Young lady (female ham)

Rig Radio 

Shack Room the radio is in

HI Laugh in Morse code 

73, 88

Best regards, love and kisses

Requirement 9 a (3)

License required to transmit, but not to receive

Tests given by volunteer examiners

No age limit

No distance limit.

Licensing

Technician Class Starter license Simple 35 question multiple-choice written test All privileges above 30 MHz (VHF, UHF) Mostly line-of-sight (but includes repeaters and satellites)

General Class Standard license Additional 35 question multiple-choice test Adds HF (long distance)

Extra Class Highest class of license Detailed 50 question Radio Theory Test A few more HF frequencies Short Call Sign

Amateur Radio License Classes

Requirement 9 a (4)

Amateur Radio License Classes

Requirement 9 a (4)

You may use any radio at any time to get help during an emergency

“Break Break” followed by your call sign to interrupt a radio conversation in progress

“Mayday Mayday Mayday” followed by your call sign to call on a clear frequency

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Sending Out An Emergency Call - Voice

"MAYDAY" is the international word for requesting help by radio. In the US, "EMERGENCY“ works too. In Morse code, send SOS ” ( . . . _ _ _ . . . ) slowly.

Speak clearly and give complete information Similar to a 911 telephone call. Give detailed location of the emergency The person helping you on the radio may be in another state or even in

another country!

Just because you have a radio doesn't mean someone will be able to hear you. You might have to climb higher up a hill. FRS radios and cell phones have less power than ham radios.

Emergency Radio Calls

Requirement 9 a (5)

Handheld Transceivers (HT): Small, light, portable, but not much power. Some can fit in your pocket. Using repeaters, they can be quite useful, and they can go on your hike easily.

Base Station Transceivers : Permanent station in a building. More power, easier to use, more features.

Mobile Transceivers : Permanent station in a vehicle. More power. That HT antenna doesn't work well inside a metal car.

Repeaters: Located on high points (Mountains, tall buildings, satellites) to automatically relay signals. Some have connections to the telephone system or the internet.

Which kind of radio is best? It depends on what you want to do. You wouldn’t backpack with a heavy base station radio, but that base station radio will let you talk farther when you are at home.

Ham Radio Station Types

Requirement 9 a (6)

Types of Radios - Handhelds

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Single Band or Dual Band

• Bands – VHF / UHF

• Power – Up to 5 watts

• Range – 1 to 5 miles without repeater, much more with repeater

• Price – $100 to $350

Requirement 9 a (6)

Types of Radios – Mobiles

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• Bands – VHF / UHF

• Power – Up to 50 watts

• Range – 5 to 10 miles without repeater, much more with repeater

• Price – $150 to $500

Dual Band

Single Band

Requirement 9 a (6)

Types of Radios – Base Station

..

• Bands – HF (Sometimes VHF / UHF also)

• Power – Usually 100 watts

• Range – Worldwide

• Price – $700 to $10,000

Requirement 9 a (6)

Family Radio Service (FRS)

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FRS is a radio service in the UHF band for use by the general public.

14 channels ½ watt of output power Range limited to couple of miles line-of-sight No license required

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

22 channels higher output power Range up to 10 miles, line of sight License required

Get On The Air For Free With Echolink

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Free software lets you link into distant repeater towers over an internet connection

Only a computer, headset and internet connection required.

This is called VoIP communications

www.Echolink.org

Requirement 9 a (6)

Repeaters

Receive on one frequency and transmit on another. Usually in the VHF and UHF bands Allow much longer range for small radios. Located on mountains, towers, buildings and in

space.

146.07 MHzInput

146.67 MHzOutput

146.67 MHzOutput

146.07 MHzInput

Requirement 9 a (6)

Repeater

NOAA Weather Radio

Continuous Weather Forecasts & Warnings 162.55, 162.475, 162.40, 162.45, 162.50

MHz Essential for boating, hiking and camping. Most Ham radios can also receive this. Special SAME (Specific Area Alert Encoding)

receivers actually turn themselves on when a warning is sent for your county!