WEBVTT 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:12.740 Thanks for tuning in. HamTalk Live will be on 00:00:12.740 --> 00:00:30.679 the air shortly. Please stand by. Thanks for 00:00:30.679 --> 00:00:33.439 tuning in. HamTalk Live will be on the air shortly. 00:00:33.640 --> 00:00:46.719 Please stand by. This episode of HamTalk Live 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:50.539 is brought to you by Tower Electronics. For connectors, 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:56.600 cables, and more, call 920 -435 -2973 or visit 00:00:56.600 --> 00:01:02.159 pl -259 .com and by the HamStation. Get your 00:01:02.159 --> 00:01:08.019 new radio or antenna by calling 800 -729 -4373 00:01:08.019 --> 00:01:43.340 or go to hamstation .com. And a good Thursday 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:46.959 evening to everyone. This is Ham Talk Live, episode 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:50.920 number 21, Scouting and Ham Radio, recorded live 00:01:50.920 --> 00:01:55.840 on Thursday, July 7th, 2016. I'm your host, Neil 00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:59.959 Rapp, WB9VPG. Thanks for tuning into this episode 00:01:59.959 --> 00:02:03.480 of Ham Talk Live. This evening, Will Jordan, 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:08.900 AA4WJ and Jim Wilson, K5ND are here to talk about 00:02:08.900 --> 00:02:11.889 Scouting with Ham Radio. and we'll take your 00:02:11.889 --> 00:02:15.449 calls live in just a few minutes. Last week on 00:02:15.449 --> 00:02:20.409 the show AJ Ragusa, KC9EVU was here to talk about 00:02:20.409 --> 00:02:23.729 a special group trained in search and rescue 00:02:23.729 --> 00:02:28.090 using dogs and how they use ham radio to communicate. 00:02:28.590 --> 00:02:32.169 He was filling in for Valerie NV9L who was originally 00:02:32.169 --> 00:02:35.110 scheduled to be here last week. She is feeling 00:02:35.110 --> 00:02:37.870 much better now and we've rescheduled her for 00:02:37.870 --> 00:02:43.009 July 28th so If you were wanting to listen to 00:02:43.009 --> 00:02:47.949 Valerie's talk on the Expeditions and on contest 00:02:47.949 --> 00:02:51.969 log analysis, that's going to be on July 28th 00:02:51.969 --> 00:02:56.270 now. So if you missed any of those shows in the 00:02:56.270 --> 00:02:58.849 past, you can listen at any time. Just go to 00:02:58.849 --> 00:03:03.330 HamTalkLive .com and pull that up. Or you can 00:03:03.330 --> 00:03:07.389 listen with one of the podcasting services. If 00:03:07.389 --> 00:03:13.199 it's not live. that is, over at iTunes, Stitcher, 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:17.280 Google Play, TuneIn, SoundCloud, or we're also 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:22.520 on YouTube. This weekend I'll be stopping by 00:03:22.520 --> 00:03:25.919 the Indianapolis HamFest for a while. They are 00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:29.180 running a little bit on Friday evening this year 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:32.180 from 4 to 8 p .m. on Friday evening and then 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:36.750 on Saturday I believe it's 8... to two or six 00:03:36.750 --> 00:03:39.810 to two I can't remember which but anyway I'll 00:03:39.810 --> 00:03:43.210 be there for a while on Friday and for a while 00:03:43.210 --> 00:03:45.789 on Saturday so if you are in the Indianapolis 00:03:45.789 --> 00:03:50.629 area stop by the ham talk live booth will be 00:03:50.629 --> 00:03:54.710 in the club table section and say hello and we'll 00:03:54.710 --> 00:03:58.669 be giving some stuff away up there as well alright 00:03:58.669 --> 00:04:01.710 folks get your questions ready to go about scouting 00:04:02.030 --> 00:04:04.830 After the interview you can call us on Skype 00:04:04.830 --> 00:04:08.289 at the username hamtalklive or You can do it 00:04:08.289 --> 00:04:12.710 the old telephone way at 812 net ham 1 that's 00:04:12.710 --> 00:04:19.009 812 638 4261 or you can send us a question via 00:04:19.009 --> 00:04:23.170 Twitter our Twitter handle is at ham talk live 00:04:23.170 --> 00:04:26.209 So next we're talking scouting with will and 00:04:26.209 --> 00:04:28.769 Jim right after this word from tower electronics 00:04:28.769 --> 00:04:33.060 right here on ham talk live This episode of HamTalk 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:35.660 Live is brought to you by Tower Electronics. 00:04:35.939 --> 00:04:38.259 Tower Electronics has been the Ham's dime store 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:41.920 since 1978, bringing connectors, antennas, cables 00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:44.600 and other parts to the world. Scott and Jill 00:04:44.600 --> 00:04:46.720 travel the country bringing their store to you 00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:49.759 at HamFest, but you can also order online at 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:59.430 pl -259 .com or by calling 920 -435 -2973. Stock 00:04:59.430 --> 00:05:02.670 up on those supplies like PL259 and end connectors, 00:05:03.230 --> 00:05:06.110 audio cables, mobile antennas and hamsticks. 00:05:06.569 --> 00:05:09.009 Their silver plated end connectors are even in 00:05:09.009 --> 00:05:11.810 use on the International Space Station. Tower 00:05:11.810 --> 00:05:15.589 Electronics is a dealer for MFJ, Comet, Daiwa, 00:05:15.870 --> 00:05:19.310 OPEC, Workman and HamPro technologies. Tower 00:05:19.310 --> 00:05:23.850 Electronics online at pl -259 .com. Proud to 00:05:23.850 --> 00:05:28.000 sponsor this episode of HamTalk Live. At HamTalk 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:30.939 Live, we use commercial breaks to debate where 00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:33.779 the seeds for seedless watermelons come from. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:37.240 Now, here's Neil Rapp with more HamTalk Live. 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:49.879 Thanks as always to Scott and Jill at Tower Electronics 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:52.819 for sponsoring the show. So we can bring you 00:05:52.819 --> 00:05:56.670 HamTalk Live. This Saturday they'll be at the 00:05:56.670 --> 00:06:01.089 Oak Creek, Wisconsin Ham Fest. So catch them 00:06:01.089 --> 00:06:06.529 there or give them a call at 920 -435 -2973 or 00:06:06.529 --> 00:06:12.829 of course to their website pl -259 .com Be sure 00:06:12.829 --> 00:06:15.050 to listen to HamTalk Live every Thursday night 00:06:15.050 --> 00:06:18.490 9 p .m. Eastern Time right here at HamTalkLive 00:06:18.490 --> 00:06:21.550 .com and if you missed the show You can download 00:06:21.550 --> 00:06:25.050 the podcast from the website and most popular 00:06:25.050 --> 00:06:28.750 podcasting sites. Several of you specifically 00:06:28.750 --> 00:06:32.230 asked for Ray Novak in 9JA to come on the show 00:06:32.230 --> 00:06:35.110 and talk about his personal experiences with 00:06:35.110 --> 00:06:37.649 scouting and ham radio. Unfortunately, Ray is 00:06:37.649 --> 00:06:40.230 not able to be with us tonight. He's a busy guy 00:06:40.230 --> 00:06:43.730 and hopefully we can find a time that works out 00:06:43.730 --> 00:06:46.329 for him better soon. But we're going to stick 00:06:46.329 --> 00:06:49.009 with the theme tonight as we have a pair of great 00:06:49.009 --> 00:06:51.829 guests with us. to talk about the connection 00:06:51.829 --> 00:06:54.649 between Ham Radio and the Boy Scouts and we'll 00:06:54.649 --> 00:06:58.709 even tie in the Girl Scouts as well. Will Jordan, 00:06:58.930 --> 00:07:02.189 AA4WJ, is the ICOM America sales representative 00:07:02.189 --> 00:07:05.610 for their amateur radio division. ICOM has been 00:07:05.610 --> 00:07:07.870 the supplier of the radios to the National Boy 00:07:07.870 --> 00:07:12.350 Scout Jamboree, the K2BSA station, and even operate 00:07:12.350 --> 00:07:14.870 a loaner program for local scouting councils 00:07:14.870 --> 00:07:18.800 around the country. Jim Wilson, K5ND, is retired 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:20.779 from the Boy Scouts of America headquarters, 00:07:21.399 --> 00:07:24.439 where he spent 21 years in publishing and communications. 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:28.040 He is now a freelance writer and continues to 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:30.779 volunteer as chairman of the National Radio Scouting 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:34.279 Committee, the National Jamboree on the Air organizer, 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:39.300 and a member of the World JOTA and JOTI team. 00:07:39.540 --> 00:07:43.430 He is president of the K2BSA Amateur Radio Association, 00:07:43.970 --> 00:07:46.949 and you can check out their website at k2bsa 00:07:46.949 --> 00:07:52.310 .net. Over 172 ,000 scouts over the years have 00:07:52.310 --> 00:07:55.529 earned the Radio Merit Badge, including myself, 00:07:56.069 --> 00:07:59.250 and therefore been formally exposed to amateur 00:07:59.250 --> 00:08:01.370 radio. Good evening, Will, and good evening, 00:08:01.550 --> 00:08:07.430 Jim. Good evening. Yep, good evening. Well, Jim, 00:08:07.550 --> 00:08:10.310 why don't you start off telling us about your 00:08:10.310 --> 00:08:14.410 role with scouting and ham radio? You bet. And 00:08:14.410 --> 00:08:17.110 first, I want to say, Neil, thanks very much 00:08:17.110 --> 00:08:22.170 for having us on this evening on your show and 00:08:22.170 --> 00:08:26.060 allowing us time to talk about One of our page 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:29.860 or two of our passions actually amateur radio 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:34.159 and scouting and and my role is you as you mentioned 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:37.539 those the various titles that i have and i'll 00:08:37.539 --> 00:08:39.679 use it to is a little bit of an introduction 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:46.120 to how scouting words. and how amateur radio 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:49.519 within scouting works as well. I serve on the 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:52.639 World Jambri on the Air, Jambri on the Internet 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:56.240 team. It's five people selected from around the 00:08:56.240 --> 00:09:00.559 world. We operate as volunteers out of the Kuala 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:04.039 Lumpur Office of the World Scout Organization. 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:09.860 And the World Scout Organization authorizes national 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:13.419 scouting programs. So every scouting program 00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:15.419 in each nation in the world, they're the ones 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:19.480 that authorize that program. And they operate 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:23.740 on the air, Jambri on the internet. It's a worldwide 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:27.399 event. It's actually the largest scouting event 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:31.220 in the world with over a million scouts on the 00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:35.259 air the third weekend in October. So it's a huge 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:38.240 deal and it all starts there at the world level. 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:42.679 In fact, it started there in 1957 and the founder 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:48.399 of Jambri on the Air, G3, oh golly, now it's 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:53.759 escaping my memory, but he was just inducted 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:59.440 into the CQ magazine hall of fame. So I work 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:02.360 at the world Jambri on the Air, Jambri on the 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:06.419 internet team. I'm also the national uh... u 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:09.500 .s. national jamboree on the air organizer and 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:14.200 so my role there is to uh... facilitate uh... 00:10:14.200 --> 00:10:17.259 jamboree on the air here in the in the u .s. 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:20.639 working with the stations uh... producing uh... 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:24.759 information uh... scouting dot org slash j o 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:29.620 t a is uh... location where uh... the uh... boy 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:32.379 scouts of america publishes information on how 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:36.500 to get involved in jamboree on the air And then 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:41.460 I'm also president of the K2BSA Amateur Radio 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:46.659 Association. And the K2BSA Association, it was 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:50.580 formed to extend the reach of amateur radio within 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:55.009 the scouting movement. And it does so. As, at 00:10:55.009 --> 00:10:59.710 this point, a growing association, we have about 00:10:59.710 --> 00:11:04.370 160 members now. In early 2015, we had eight. 00:11:04.970 --> 00:11:08.509 It was founded in, I think, established in 79 00:11:08.509 --> 00:11:11.629 and really was kept local here in the Dallas 00:11:11.629 --> 00:11:15.210 -Fort Worth area. And in 2015, we elected to 00:11:15.210 --> 00:11:18.759 open it up. Membership, by the way, is... $12 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:21.860 for a lifetime membership, and it's there at 00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:27.779 k2bsa .net. And it serves as a really easy way 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:32.440 to get information online and to support amateur 00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:36.360 radio and scouting, really across the country. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:43.240 So let's see, did I miss anything? Well, we also 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:46.379 have part of that Jamboree on the Year organizer 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:50.899 thing is we have a the BSA National Radio Scouting 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:53.960 Committee. It operates at the national level. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:59.139 It serves the international department at Boy 00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:01.679 Scouts of America because it is an international 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:07.940 event and it's a group of active scouts who are 00:12:07.940 --> 00:12:12.139 also amateur radio operators and they work within 00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:15.159 the structure of Boy Scouts of America to promote 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:20.080 amateur radio and scouting. You're a busy guy. 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:23.740 Well, it seems that way. Yeah. That's what happens 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:27.740 when you retire, right? You have to go back to 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:30.919 work to get any rest because you're doing everything, 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:33.960 right? Well, exactly. I call that sort of thing 00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:37.279 retirement enrichment. It's how you enrich your 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:40.460 life after retirement by contributing to others. 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:44.440 Oh, that's great. Very good. Very good. Let's 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:46.740 focus in a little more on the Jamboree on the 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:49.740 Air and Jamboree on the Internet. How does that 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:52.620 program tie in with the young men in scouting? 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:56.220 Let's dig down a little deeper and get down to 00:12:56.220 --> 00:13:00.460 the kids that are in the scouting programs. How 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:03.639 does that work for them and how does that expose 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:11.279 them to Henry? Well, the big thing, I believe, 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:18.480 is that it's Fundamentally, its purpose is to 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:23.120 engage scouts in Scout to Scout conversations 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:29.039 across town and around the world in order to 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:33.759 open up their horizon of what's the rest of the 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:38.379 world look like? It's sometimes hard for us ham 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:41.059 radio operators to remember that, but that's 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:45.440 the whole purpose is to cross -border sharing 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:48.360 of experience in Scout to Scout conversations. 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:52.139 And it's really, really productive in doing that. 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:56.279 In last year's event, there were 151 countries 00:13:56.279 --> 00:14:02.000 active and almost 18 ,000 stations. It's also, 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:05.919 it's the one opportunity many, many, many Scouts 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:10.220 have of going to a jamboree. Now, a national 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:14.019 jamboree, there's about in the US, there's about 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:17.299 30 ,000 scouts to get to go. It's held in West 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:22.759 Virginia. It's not a low -cost activity. It's 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:26.179 two weeks. It's a big deal. It only happens every 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:30.940 four years. And so it's just a select group that 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:34.259 gets to go to that. And if scouts happen to live 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:37.899 in other countries, have very rare chance of 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:40.720 attending anything like that. So this is their 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:43.659 opportunity to do that. Now, getting back to 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:46.720 your question as I take it wherever I go, but 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:49.840 it promotes ham radio. It's the technology that 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:54.940 we're using. And we look at Jambri on the Air 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:59.259 as really an introduction. Typically it's happening, 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:02.419 it's that third weekend in October. It's happening 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:09.539 around a camp out. It's often one more activity 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:12.039 that's happening that weekend. So it's not the 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:15.460 be all end all of that camperee. And the scouts 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:17.559 come by, and it can be Boy Scouts, it can be 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:21.779 Cub Scouts. They come by, they look at it, they 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:24.889 learn a little bit about amateur radio. Some 00:15:24.889 --> 00:15:28.649 of them walk away, OK, fine. Others, their hair 00:15:28.649 --> 00:15:31.509 catches on fire, and they gain a real interest 00:15:31.509 --> 00:15:38.190 in it. But I also say, at that level, it's really 00:15:38.190 --> 00:15:42.210 an introduction. It's about planting seeds. And 00:15:42.210 --> 00:15:45.110 so next year, they come back. Oh, yeah, I remember 00:15:45.110 --> 00:15:47.169 that. That's pretty cool. Let me dig into it 00:15:47.169 --> 00:15:52.700 a little bit further. they're older, and they're 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:55.139 looking around for a hobby, and they go, huh, 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:58.740 ham radio. I remember that. I looked into that 00:15:58.740 --> 00:16:01.799 when I was in scouting. In fact, just like you 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:06.139 did, Neil, with your radio maripage. And so Jambry 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:08.539 on the Air is really planting seeds, getting 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:12.000 scouts engaged. A few of them catch on fire and 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.340 really get engaged. And I'll talk more about 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:19.500 the other activities that are available within 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:24.889 scouting. it plants those seeds. And my little 00:16:24.889 --> 00:16:28.710 anecdote, Ray Novak actually gave me this one. 00:16:29.009 --> 00:16:32.690 He said it's, these people will probably be sitting 00:16:32.690 --> 00:16:35.909 on your homeowners association board 20 years 00:16:35.909 --> 00:16:41.929 from now. Yeah. And when you're asking for an 00:16:41.929 --> 00:16:45.379 antenna and they'll go. I remember ham radio 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:48.700 back in Jambri on the air. Well, heck yes. Of 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:52.259 course, put that in 10 up. You know, that's, 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:54.559 that's one of the things that, uh, that I kind 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:57.679 of think about too. I teach high school chemistry 00:16:57.679 --> 00:17:01.500 and, and so we have a ham radio day every year 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:05.519 in the chemistry class. And so, and I keep the 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:08.180 ham radio saves lives bumper sticker up in the 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:10.359 classroom all the time. And, you know, and so 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:13.150 kids ask about it. And so it's like, well, you 00:17:13.150 --> 00:17:15.509 know, even if they didn't, you know, get involved 00:17:15.509 --> 00:17:17.490 in the ham radio club, at least they know what 00:17:17.490 --> 00:17:22.390 it is. And so, um, they have an idea of what 00:17:22.390 --> 00:17:25.470 it's about. And so, yeah, that works great for 00:17:25.470 --> 00:17:29.289 those homeowners associations. Yeah. And it is, 00:17:29.329 --> 00:17:31.950 it's just planting seeds. You just never know 00:17:31.950 --> 00:17:34.670 when it's going to take root and start to grow. 00:17:35.549 --> 00:17:37.630 Absolutely. So let's talk about those, those 00:17:37.630 --> 00:17:41.339 ones that do dig in a little bit deeper. What 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:44.099 are some of those other ham radio activities 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:49.039 that are connected with scouting? Yeah, I think 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:52.480 we have a great lineup. In fact, I think it's, 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:56.019 I describe it and I use this metaphor probably 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:59.559 way too often, but it's like a funnel. At the 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:02.079 top of the funnel is the jamboree on the air 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:05.319 and it's that introduction and scouts get kind 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:08.799 of fired up about that and then there's a radio 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:12.099 merit badge. And for those who are involved with 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:16.220 scouting, there's a fundamental premise within 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:20.140 scouting. Nothing happens unless there's a patch 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:25.299 involved. A patch or a badge or an advancement. 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:30.519 And radio merit badge is there. And as you mentioned, 00:18:31.730 --> 00:18:34.390 Several hundred scouts have earned the badge 00:18:34.390 --> 00:18:37.849 over the years. We went back and I was able to 00:18:37.849 --> 00:18:41.210 get the archivists to do some research from 1950 00:18:41.210 --> 00:18:45.529 or 1949 was as far back as they could go up to 00:18:45.529 --> 00:18:49.750 the present time. And back in the in the 50s, 00:18:49.789 --> 00:18:53.170 about one to 2000 scouts a year were earning 00:18:53.170 --> 00:18:56.230 the merit badge. In the 80s, that dropped to 00:18:56.230 --> 00:19:00.210 less than 1000 per year. But in the 90s, it started 00:19:00.210 --> 00:19:02.730 going up. And something that happened during 00:19:02.730 --> 00:19:06.430 that time is they dropped the Morris Code requirement. 00:19:07.150 --> 00:19:11.009 And so right now, it's typically right at the 00:19:11.009 --> 00:19:16.109 7 ,000 a year rate that scouts are earning the 00:19:16.109 --> 00:19:19.970 radio merit badge. And then just in an aside 00:19:19.970 --> 00:19:25.170 of that, I'll mention for scouts, I'm told this, 00:19:25.230 --> 00:19:27.890 that there's only two kinds of merit badges that 00:19:27.890 --> 00:19:31.799 they pay attention to. Eagle required merit badges 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:37.960 and easy merit badges. That is true. And frankly 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:40.099 the radio merit badge is an easy merit badge 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:43.279 for them to earn. There's a lot of one -day workshops 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:46.940 and at Jamboree we actually teach it in four 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:50.579 hours. So because we have everything there to 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:54.599 make it happen and do so quickly but thoroughly. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:57.200 So it's a pretty straightforward merit badge 00:19:57.200 --> 00:20:02.900 to earn. So it's a great Next step and then and 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:07.940 coming back to that That scouting model of it. 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:11.319 Nothing happens without a patch We also have 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:14.339 something called the amateur radio operator rating 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:17.660 strip This is a patch that can be sewn on your 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:21.380 uniform And the requirement to earn that patch 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:25.140 is if you have a ham radio license so on the 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:30.170 patch So it's for adults. It's for youth anybody 00:20:30.170 --> 00:20:34.829 in the scouting program. And in the last 12 months, 00:20:34.849 --> 00:20:37.950 there were almost 2 ,000 of those rating strips 00:20:37.950 --> 00:20:43.529 sold. So it's a wonderful motivator. So I've 00:20:43.529 --> 00:20:46.490 earned my radio merit badge. I love this. What's 00:20:46.490 --> 00:20:50.269 next? Okay, well, let's for about a similar level 00:20:50.269 --> 00:20:52.430 of effort to what it took you to get the radio 00:20:52.430 --> 00:20:55.910 merit badge, let's work on studying for that 00:20:55.910 --> 00:20:58.549 technician license. And once you've passed the 00:20:58.549 --> 00:21:02.460 test, you've got another patch for your uniform. 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:06.220 Very good. Well, I was one of those rare kids 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:09.559 in the 80s that got in the radio merit badge, 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:13.220 but I distinctly remember this one line in the 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:18.740 book that I really enjoyed, and it was, if you 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:22.400 already have a ham radio license, you do not 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:27.470 have to take the code test. Cause I already had 00:21:27.470 --> 00:21:32.609 my license for, you know, about nine, 10 years. 00:21:33.390 --> 00:21:37.910 So I was like, Oh, okay. This is easy. And, um, 00:21:38.269 --> 00:21:40.890 my dad and I actually put together some, uh, 00:21:40.890 --> 00:21:44.609 a little, little project board and taught the 00:21:44.609 --> 00:21:49.910 class, uh, to my troop. And, uh, and so a lot 00:21:49.910 --> 00:21:53.579 of people in the troop got that one. in the 80s, 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:57.059 but yeah, I remember using a Morse code calculator, 00:21:57.180 --> 00:22:00.619 which was a little strip of paper that had white 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:04.500 and black boxes that would represent dits and 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:07.880 dahs, and it had the letters on it, and so you 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:11.259 could go down, and if it was like white, white, 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:15.079 black, to get to that letter, then it was dit 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:20.140 dit dah. And so I remember using that, and it 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:23.720 was a good experience. Very good. Well and on 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:26.619 the topic of Morris code we have another patch 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:30.140 it's called the Morris code interpreter strip 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:35.000 and Interesting background on that one there 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:39.160 on a scouting uniform There's a place for what's 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:42.359 called an interpreter strip and normally well 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:46.500 all in all cases. It's about a language So if 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:51.769 if a scout speaks Spanish and can demonstrate 00:22:51.769 --> 00:22:55.490 that to, you know, there's a set of requirements 00:22:55.490 --> 00:22:58.970 for it, some translations, some conversation, 00:22:59.150 --> 00:23:02.509 a letter, et cetera, that they need to do. They've 00:23:02.509 --> 00:23:06.470 earned the Spanish interpreter strip, and it 00:23:06.470 --> 00:23:11.009 says Espanol on it, and they sew that over one 00:23:11.009 --> 00:23:14.569 of their patch, or their uniform pockets. And 00:23:14.569 --> 00:23:17.930 that signifies to other Scouts when they're at 00:23:17.930 --> 00:23:20.359 a gathering that, oh, Here's somebody that knows 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:23.400 Espanol. They can help me. They can help me understand 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:27.180 what's going on here. And it's available in many, 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:31.319 many, many languages. Well, we petitioned the 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:34.079 Awards and Insignia Committee. This is the BSA 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:37.000 National Radio Scouting Committee, submitted 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:39.799 a proposal. Basically, actually, we were looking 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:42.819 for an amateur radio, radio strip, and we submitted 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:47.299 a proposal about that. And the committee considered 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:50.539 it. And they came back to us and said, well, 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:54.819 this is a language interpreter strip and we read 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:57.059 your proposal and we don't really see anything 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:59.900 there. Then we thought about Morris code and 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:02.259 we went back and we looked at your proposal again 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:05.380 and it didn't have anything about Morris code. 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:11.039 So no, we can't do this. Well, we got that response. 00:24:11.549 --> 00:24:15.089 About 30 minutes later, there was a proposal 00:24:15.089 --> 00:24:17.589 in front of them for the Morris Code interpreter 00:24:17.589 --> 00:24:22.230 strip. And about a day later, the approval came 00:24:22.230 --> 00:24:25.529 back. And so there's an interpreter strip, and 00:24:25.529 --> 00:24:30.910 on it is dash dash, dash dash dash, dit dot dit, 00:24:31.170 --> 00:24:36.049 dit dit dit, dit. Morris, spelled out in dashes 00:24:36.049 --> 00:24:39.869 and dots, and scouts who do five words per minute. 00:24:40.009 --> 00:24:44.609 can sew that on their uniform. So it's a fun 00:24:44.609 --> 00:24:48.349 thing, and it keeps Morse code alive as well. 00:24:49.210 --> 00:24:54.930 Very, very good. Well, go ahead, Jim. One other 00:24:54.930 --> 00:24:57.470 anecdote about that little communication. Later 00:24:57.470 --> 00:25:01.490 on, I was talking at a scouting event with one 00:25:01.490 --> 00:25:03.990 of the members of the awards and insignia committee, 00:25:04.509 --> 00:25:08.269 and we were talking about that wonderful occurrence. 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:13.640 And he said to me, well, I guess we telegraphed 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:20.839 our intentions to you. So we have fun. Oh, absolutely. 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:26.720 One other thing I'll mention about patches is 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:32.359 there's a patch just for scouting leaders, and 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:35.559 it's called the A -R -R -L Service to Scouting 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:39.690 Award. And so the ARRL working with the Boy Scouts 00:25:39.690 --> 00:25:43.970 of America created this award that recognizes 00:25:43.970 --> 00:25:48.450 outstanding service to scouting through running 00:25:48.450 --> 00:25:51.549 radio merit badge workshops, doing jamboree on 00:25:51.549 --> 00:25:56.190 the air, and a number of other things. And that 00:25:56.190 --> 00:26:00.210 was announced, I think, January of 2015. And 00:26:00.210 --> 00:26:05.589 so far, right at 50, adult scout leaders have 00:26:05.589 --> 00:26:09.670 earned that award. Very, very good. I'm glad 00:26:09.670 --> 00:26:15.009 to see that happening and hopefully that will 00:26:15.009 --> 00:26:18.990 continue to grow. That's a very nice recognition 00:26:18.990 --> 00:26:22.670 of the partnership that ARRL has had with Boy 00:26:22.670 --> 00:26:26.529 Scouts. In fact, as you know, ARRL was founded 00:26:26.529 --> 00:26:33.920 in 1914 and BSA in 1911, but in 1918, The wireless 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:37.839 merit badge was established by ARRL working with 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:41.359 the BSA and the wireless merit badge became the 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:45.079 radio merit badge in the 1920s. So a long, long 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:48.180 time relationship. And it's nice to see this 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:52.599 recognition happening. Very good. And we want 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:54.960 to talk about another relationship that's going 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:57.980 on with Will and we're running way over time 00:26:57.980 --> 00:27:02.670 here. But let me bring Will in here. And Will 00:27:02.670 --> 00:27:05.750 was with ICOM America. And Will, tell us about 00:27:05.750 --> 00:27:08.730 what ICOM's involvement has been with the Boy 00:27:08.730 --> 00:27:12.390 Scouts and where you see this taking off in the 00:27:12.390 --> 00:27:16.329 future. Absolutely, Neal. I'd be happy to. And 00:27:16.329 --> 00:27:20.009 it's great to hear Jim talk about all the great 00:27:20.009 --> 00:27:22.950 things going on with the K2BSA organization. 00:27:23.390 --> 00:27:26.190 And ICOM has been fortunate enough to be able 00:27:26.190 --> 00:27:30.809 to support the K2BSA operation since the early 00:27:30.809 --> 00:27:34.789 80s, I believe, 1981, 82 or so. There have been 00:27:34.789 --> 00:27:37.829 many Jamborees in that time, and we've been proud 00:27:37.829 --> 00:27:41.069 to sponsor each and every one of them. And as 00:27:41.069 --> 00:27:42.710 you mentioned earlier in the show, of course, 00:27:42.910 --> 00:27:47.730 we have our demo stations that we can loan out 00:27:47.730 --> 00:27:52.619 to local scouting troops and what have you, who 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:57.519 are looking to host their radio merit badge classes. 00:27:58.519 --> 00:28:02.259 The kits have a 7300, one of our newest and hottest 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:05.960 radios right now. It's a good one. It sort of 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:08.900 resonates with the younger crowd. It's a newer 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:11.859 radio, some newer technology. Nice touchscreen 00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:14.759 radio and what have you. So that's a great addition 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:17.400 to these kits is the 7300. And of course we give 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:20.849 them a power supply as well. All the coax to 00:28:20.849 --> 00:28:24.609 hook everything together Of course an antenna 00:28:24.609 --> 00:28:26.430 obviously it wouldn't be much of a kit without 00:28:26.430 --> 00:28:29.150 an antenna. So there's a nice Nice wire antenna 00:28:29.150 --> 00:28:31.730 form to string up in the trees and the radio 00:28:31.730 --> 00:28:33.470 itself has a built -in antenna tuner So there 00:28:33.470 --> 00:28:35.730 you have it that with the desk mic that's in 00:28:35.730 --> 00:28:38.970 there as well. And it's it's a shack in a shack 00:28:38.970 --> 00:28:44.210 in a box You know a phrase we use for a radio 00:28:44.210 --> 00:28:46.029 that does it all, but this is literally a box 00:28:46.029 --> 00:28:49.130 with a shack in it. You can find out all sorts 00:28:49.130 --> 00:28:51.130 of information, see photos and things of that 00:28:51.130 --> 00:28:55.730 on K2BSA's website, which is actually just k2bsa 00:28:55.730 --> 00:29:00.650 .net. There's a tab up there that talks about 00:29:00.650 --> 00:29:04.410 the ICOM loan stations. as well as some other 00:29:04.410 --> 00:29:06.990 bits and pieces about ICOM's involvement with 00:29:06.990 --> 00:29:10.029 the scouts. And of course, it is K2BSA's official 00:29:10.029 --> 00:29:12.930 website. So you've got their calendar, all sorts 00:29:12.930 --> 00:29:16.269 of information about what they do and what have 00:29:16.269 --> 00:29:18.089 you. So I definitely encourage everybody to check 00:29:18.089 --> 00:29:22.349 out the k2bsa .net website to learn lots more 00:29:22.349 --> 00:29:25.750 about the loaner stations, ICOM's involvement 00:29:25.750 --> 00:29:29.450 with the K2BSA organization, and of course, the 00:29:29.450 --> 00:29:33.279 K2BSA organization itself, which is a marvelous, 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:37.440 marvelous gift to the ham radio world. And so 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:41.400 ICOM is very pleased and very fortunate to have 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:44.599 extended our relationship with the K2BSA organization 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:48.420 through 2018 now. So we'll be continuing the 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:52.039 loaner program through 2018. And of course, that 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:55.859 includes the National Jamboree coming up in 2017 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:59.180 as well. So that'll be very exciting for us in 00:29:59.180 --> 00:30:02.180 the coming months to start looking at moving 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:05.440 that direction as well. So lots and lots of great 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:08.160 stuff going on with ICOM and the Scouts. We're 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:12.180 glad to see the next generation getting on the 00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:15.680 air and using our spectrum. It's what we need. 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:18.740 We're very thankful for ICOM's involvement in 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:21.839 this as well as some other youth activities that 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:23.619 we've talked about on the show and more that 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:26.220 we will be talking about. So thank you so much 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:30.880 for continuing. support of Youth and Amateur 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:34.319 Radio especially tonight talking about the Scouts. 00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:36.359 We're going to talk about the Girl Scouts just 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:39.460 a little bit and take your calls when we come 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:43.660 back. We'll talk some more with Will and Jim 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:46.279 right after this message from the Ham Station 00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:49.490 right here on HamTalk Live. This episode of HamTalk 00:30:49.490 --> 00:30:52.609 Live is brought to you by the HamStation. For 00:30:52.609 --> 00:30:55.029 35 years, the HamStation has brought new and 00:30:55.029 --> 00:30:57.730 used radios, antennas, accessories, and equipment 00:30:57.730 --> 00:31:00.529 to the amateur radio community. Give Jeff or 00:31:00.529 --> 00:31:07.430 Dan a call at 1 -800 -729 -4373 or order online 00:31:07.430 --> 00:31:10.609 at hamstation .com. HamStation carries all the 00:31:10.609 --> 00:31:13.710 major brands like Icom, Yezu, and Kenwood. Shop 00:31:13.710 --> 00:31:17.009 from a wide selection of radio scanners, MFGA 00:31:17.009 --> 00:31:20.089 accessories, Heil Sound products, Mirage and 00:31:20.089 --> 00:31:23.029 Ameritron amplifiers, Cushcraft antennas, and 00:31:23.029 --> 00:31:26.150 more. Easy online shopping and fast shipping 00:31:26.150 --> 00:31:30.230 are waiting for you at hamstation .com or call 00:31:30.230 --> 00:31:36.849 1 -800 -729 -4373. The Ham Station, proud to 00:31:36.849 --> 00:31:41.049 sponsor this episode of HamTalk Live. You're 00:31:41.049 --> 00:31:46.480 listening to HamTalk Live with Neil Rapp. Join 00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:49.640 the conversation. Call us on voice with Skype 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:53.640 at HamTalk Live or give us a call at 812 -NET 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:59.740 -HAM -1. That's 812 -638 -4261. Now, here's more 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:05.599 HamTalk Live. Welcome back to HamTalk Live. The 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:08.359 ham station has you covered for both new and 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:11.599 used equipment. Give Dan or Jeff a call at 800 00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:16.710 -729 -4373. or go to HamStation .com. Be sure 00:32:16.710 --> 00:32:19.009 to listen to the show every Thursday night, 9 00:32:19.009 --> 00:32:22.069 p .m. Eastern, right here at HamTalkLive .com. 00:32:22.170 --> 00:32:25.069 Also check out our Facebook page and our Twitter 00:32:25.069 --> 00:32:28.809 feed. Just search for HamTalk Live. I do want 00:32:28.809 --> 00:32:32.009 to mention, real quickly, now we've got the Boy 00:32:32.009 --> 00:32:35.349 Scout experts on here, but at the Hamvention 00:32:35.349 --> 00:32:40.710 this year, the new Girl Scout patch that's sponsored 00:32:40.710 --> 00:32:42.990 by ARRL was announced, so we don't want to leave 00:32:42.990 --> 00:32:48.420 them out. The Girl Scouts have a radio and wireless 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:51.460 technology patch now and there's more information 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:54.920 about that on the ARRL website and one of my 00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:57.099 students was actually fortunate enough to break 00:32:57.099 --> 00:33:00.880 that announcement at the instructors forum at 00:33:00.880 --> 00:33:03.579 Hamvention this year. So the Girl Scouts have 00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:07.799 a patch too. Any comments from Jim or Will about 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:11.190 the Girl Scout thing? Well, I'll just mention 00:33:11.190 --> 00:33:16.109 that Deborah Johnson at the ARRL has really worked 00:33:16.109 --> 00:33:20.230 long and hard with the Girl Scouts to make that 00:33:20.230 --> 00:33:24.250 happen. And I'll also note part of that announcement 00:33:24.250 --> 00:33:28.410 was one of Girl Scouts' big events is Thinking 00:33:28.410 --> 00:33:31.470 Day, and they now have a Thinking Day on the 00:33:31.470 --> 00:33:39.240 air. It's it's been it's been a good effort from 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:42.140 Deborah and the NRL folks to work with the Girl 00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:49.119 Scouts to help that along well, I I'm super glad 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:51.559 that the Girl Scouts are getting their patch. 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:54.920 I think it's great to Keep everything nice and 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:58.500 even across all the different avenues of scouting 00:33:59.109 --> 00:34:01.950 I think that many of the young folks that I've 00:34:01.950 --> 00:34:04.150 seen, I suppose a lot of folks would consider 00:34:04.150 --> 00:34:06.410 me one of the young folks, but a lot of the younger 00:34:06.410 --> 00:34:10.289 folks that I've seen have been young ladies who 00:34:10.289 --> 00:34:12.190 have been getting excited about it. I had a chance 00:34:12.190 --> 00:34:14.849 to meet a couple of them at Dayton myself this 00:34:14.849 --> 00:34:17.590 year, so I'm glad to see that they're going to 00:34:17.590 --> 00:34:21.829 have the opportunity to earn themselves an achievement 00:34:21.829 --> 00:34:25.119 related to ham radio. You know, and let me add 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:31.599 to another perspective as well. Recently, the 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:34.340 Boy Scout movement is called the World Organization 00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:37.840 of the Scout Movement. And for Girl Scouts, it's 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:40.380 the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:43.579 Scouts. And they've just signed earlier this 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:46.599 year, I think first part of this year, an agreement 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:52.719 to work together. And they have an agenda on 00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:56.139 that. And so Jambri on the Air and Jambri on 00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:58.280 the Internet, which is operated by the World 00:34:58.280 --> 00:35:01.280 Organization of the Scout Movement, has always 00:35:01.280 --> 00:35:05.119 invited Girl Scouts. But this time it's absolutely, 00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:09.179 totally official from the very top that they're 00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:12.460 a part of the event. So I think that's another 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:16.539 real positive element there in bringing those 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:20.030 two groups together. Yeah, very glad to hear 00:35:20.030 --> 00:35:23.070 that they have a patch too and it's it's a little 00:35:23.070 --> 00:35:25.929 different program, but it accomplishes the same 00:35:25.929 --> 00:35:30.309 thing and Real glad to to hear about that. All 00:35:30.309 --> 00:35:32.550 right. Well, it's time for your call So if you 00:35:32.550 --> 00:35:37.329 have a question for Jim or for will about Scouting 00:35:37.329 --> 00:35:40.550 and ham radio now is the time to give us a call 00:35:40.550 --> 00:35:44.550 that phone number again is eight one two net 00:35:44.550 --> 00:35:54.519 ham one 812 -NET -HAM -1 812 -638 -4261 or you 00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:57.480 can Skype us. We're at HamTalk Live on Skype. 00:35:58.139 --> 00:36:00.420 And if you have a question that you want to ask, 00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:04.539 now is the time. So give us a call and we'll 00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:07.780 keep talking here for a while because we do that 00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:11.579 well. But give us a call if you have a question. 00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:14.860 And actually we do have a caller right now. Hello, 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:20.150 who's this? Good evening. This is Douglas wa1sfh 00:36:20.150 --> 00:36:23.070 in Connecticut. How are you? Good Douglas. What's 00:36:23.070 --> 00:36:28.710 your question for us tonight? Question is How 00:36:28.710 --> 00:36:35.389 best to present? Amateur radio Within a council 00:36:35.389 --> 00:36:39.210 who would we typically contact first? It seems 00:36:39.210 --> 00:36:42.170 like you had This is going through an international 00:36:42.170 --> 00:36:46.389 sort of representative or something Yeah, absolutely 00:36:46.650 --> 00:36:51.570 Yes, Douglas, thanks for calling in and thanks 00:36:51.570 --> 00:36:54.070 for what I would imagine is your persistence 00:36:54.070 --> 00:36:57.869 in trying to work with the council. It's often 00:36:57.869 --> 00:37:04.469 times very difficult. That structure that I mentioned 00:37:04.469 --> 00:37:08.190 earlier is the World Organization and their event, 00:37:08.429 --> 00:37:12.369 Jambry on the Internet. They work with the International 00:37:12.369 --> 00:37:15.429 Department, which is part of Boy Scouts of America. 00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:19.440 And at each local council, there's an international 00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:23.239 representative. And they're the person whose 00:37:23.239 --> 00:37:27.559 responsibility it is to promote and encourage 00:37:27.559 --> 00:37:30.019 a Jambri on the Air and Jambri on the Internet 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:36.940 activation at their local council. Now, sometimes... 00:37:37.070 --> 00:37:42.329 They're not aware of that. It's in their job 00:37:42.329 --> 00:37:44.590 description. There's actually a written job description 00:37:44.590 --> 00:37:46.969 they have. It's part of that job description. 00:37:47.369 --> 00:37:50.949 But sometimes they're not aware. And then sometimes 00:37:50.949 --> 00:37:54.409 an international representative might transition 00:37:54.409 --> 00:37:57.449 to a different job, and the council hasn't replaced 00:37:57.449 --> 00:38:01.469 them yet. So there's things like that that happen. 00:38:01.869 --> 00:38:07.599 We can do a much better job. at a national level 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:10.280 communicating the importance of Jamri on the 00:38:10.280 --> 00:38:13.039 air and Jamri on the internet to get it to that 00:38:13.039 --> 00:38:16.699 local council level. But I'll also mention on 00:38:16.699 --> 00:38:20.480 the K2BSA website, we've put up a document, the 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:22.519 National Radio Scouting Committee created this 00:38:22.519 --> 00:38:26.760 document. It's called Talking Points. And it's 00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:30.320 meant to be a translation tool in some cases 00:38:30.320 --> 00:38:33.889 of Okay, here's what the ham radio people are 00:38:33.889 --> 00:38:36.210 thinking. Here's what the scouting people are 00:38:36.210 --> 00:38:39.489 thinking. Here's what to say as a ham radio operator 00:38:39.489 --> 00:38:42.550 that will make a connection on the scouting side 00:38:42.550 --> 00:38:47.269 of the conversation. For example, STEM, you know, 00:38:47.429 --> 00:38:51.710 science, technology, engineering, math is something 00:38:51.710 --> 00:38:54.889 that picks people's ears up now. And so you can 00:38:54.889 --> 00:38:59.059 use that as an opening. to begin that discussion. 00:38:59.059 --> 00:39:00.960 That's just one example, and there's a whole 00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:04.059 line of them there to help with that conversation. 00:39:06.380 --> 00:39:09.880 Yes, thank you. I've used that presentation at 00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:16.420 a district level, but my goal is to go council 00:39:16.420 --> 00:39:21.619 -wide. So I've been having some moderate success. 00:39:21.619 --> 00:39:24.119 I've been with local troops getting into there. 00:39:24.329 --> 00:39:28.050 various and districts getting into their fall 00:39:28.050 --> 00:39:32.230 camperees and setting up a Jota station where 00:39:32.230 --> 00:39:35.889 possible. So I'm looking again to go more from 00:39:35.889 --> 00:39:40.929 a council level and council and down to the individual 00:39:40.929 --> 00:39:46.039 units. You're a perfect example of what I recommend 00:39:46.039 --> 00:39:49.639 to folks. So many times they'll get on the phone 00:39:49.639 --> 00:39:53.159 to me and they'll be disappointed in their attempts 00:39:53.159 --> 00:39:55.699 at trying to work with the council and I say, 00:39:56.099 --> 00:40:00.280 do you know a troop? Start there. And that's 00:40:00.280 --> 00:40:02.739 what you've done. You've started the troops in 00:40:02.739 --> 00:40:06.329 district and just get... get the camel, get their 00:40:06.329 --> 00:40:09.489 nose in the tent. And suddenly they start seeing 00:40:09.489 --> 00:40:12.309 how, what a wonderful activity it is. And they 00:40:12.309 --> 00:40:15.889 want it to happen everywhere. So good work. Good 00:40:15.889 --> 00:40:18.789 work. Okay. Well, thank you for your time and 00:40:18.789 --> 00:40:22.849 your great work with BSA. So let me sign off 00:40:22.849 --> 00:40:26.389 and wish you all a good evening. Thanks for calling 00:40:26.389 --> 00:40:30.059 in Douglas. We appreciate it. All right, we have 00:40:30.059 --> 00:40:34.019 another question here from a call sign will may 00:40:34.019 --> 00:40:39.860 know a B for BJ and That question is yeah sounds 00:40:39.860 --> 00:40:42.519 kind of familiar are the scouts who are learning 00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:46.739 amateur radio embracing CW or primarily voice 00:40:46.739 --> 00:40:53.840 modes Actually, I'm going to I'm going to signify 00:40:53.840 --> 00:41:04.889 probably well I would say PSK. That's answering 00:41:04.889 --> 00:41:07.929 the intent of the question about what are they 00:41:07.929 --> 00:41:11.030 embracing or what are they getting excited about 00:41:11.030 --> 00:41:14.949 when they just first start getting engaged with 00:41:14.949 --> 00:41:19.329 amateur radio. PSK and those kinds of digital 00:41:19.329 --> 00:41:22.090 modes are very similar to what they're doing 00:41:22.090 --> 00:41:28.300 all day, texting. It has a connection for them. 00:41:29.780 --> 00:41:35.460 And those who are listening in the audience who 00:41:35.460 --> 00:41:37.980 run the Jota stations see this all the time. 00:41:38.320 --> 00:41:40.119 Scouts will get in front of a microphone and 00:41:40.119 --> 00:41:44.380 they'll lock up. It's just mic fright. And we 00:41:44.380 --> 00:41:47.360 try to give them scripts and break that down. 00:41:47.619 --> 00:41:50.239 But it's pretty intimidating for them at first. 00:41:50.300 --> 00:41:53.159 Now, of course, I also hear the stories once 00:41:53.159 --> 00:41:57.300 they get accustomed to it, they're all over it 00:41:57.300 --> 00:41:59.320 and having a great time talking to other scouts. 00:42:00.199 --> 00:42:06.019 So I would say we offer CW to them. We don't 00:42:06.019 --> 00:42:09.480 have any real numbers about what they're getting 00:42:09.480 --> 00:42:13.039 excited about, but certainly they're on the air 00:42:13.039 --> 00:42:15.820 with microphones, with handy talkies, and they're 00:42:15.820 --> 00:42:19.239 on the air using PSK and some of the digital 00:42:19.239 --> 00:42:23.650 modes that they find pretty cool. Yeah, I've 00:42:23.650 --> 00:42:26.030 found PSK definitely works for the ones that 00:42:26.030 --> 00:42:28.550 have Mike fright in working with young people 00:42:28.550 --> 00:42:32.590 so that's That's not surprising. We've got about 00:42:32.590 --> 00:42:35.289 30 seconds left. Jim. I know you wanted to say 00:42:35.289 --> 00:42:38.489 something About the icon partnership, so I'll 00:42:38.489 --> 00:42:41.090 give you 30 seconds 30 seconds. Okay. Well, I 00:42:41.090 --> 00:42:44.969 wanted to talk the 2017 Jamboree is coming up 00:42:45.289 --> 00:42:50.150 And also for 2013 Jamboree, ICOM is the official 00:42:50.150 --> 00:42:53.449 transceiver supplier for the National Scout Jamboree. 00:42:53.769 --> 00:42:56.750 That's in July. There's 40 ,000 people show up 00:42:56.750 --> 00:43:02.130 for that. And in 2012, they installed three repeaters 00:43:02.130 --> 00:43:04.909 at the location for the Jamboree at the summit, 00:43:05.570 --> 00:43:08.809 Bechtel Scout Reserve in West Virginia. So they 00:43:08.809 --> 00:43:12.210 are over the top supporters of scouting. And 00:43:12.210 --> 00:43:15.239 then just a quick mention. Also supporting the 00:43:15.239 --> 00:43:19.420 Jamboree, DX Engineering has agreed to support 00:43:19.420 --> 00:43:21.619 the Jamboree with all the other stuff that we 00:43:21.619 --> 00:43:25.039 need to help those transceivers get on the air, 00:43:25.360 --> 00:43:27.800 and MFJ is going to help us as well. And so we 00:43:27.800 --> 00:43:31.679 really appreciate Tim Duffy and Terry Greaser 00:43:31.679 --> 00:43:35.420 at DX Engineering for helping us out with that, 00:43:35.619 --> 00:43:39.260 and MFJ, of course, and Martin Ju. But the ICOM 00:43:39.260 --> 00:43:43.239 guys, wow, thanks so much. Absolutely. Will, 00:43:43.340 --> 00:43:46.440 good job. And that's a wrap for this week's edition 00:43:46.440 --> 00:43:48.920 of HamTalk Live. I'd like to thank my guests, 00:43:49.019 --> 00:43:52.980 Will Jordan, AA4WJ, and Jim Wilson, K5ND, and 00:43:52.980 --> 00:43:55.380 all the callers and listeners out there in cyberspace, 00:43:55.860 --> 00:43:59.219 and invite you back next Thursday night at 9 00:43:59.219 --> 00:44:03.380 p .m. Eastern Time when Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, 00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:07.440 will be here to talk about DXpeditions and his 00:44:07.440 --> 00:44:13.420 100 % software -defined radio. For a list of 00:44:13.420 --> 00:44:15.739 all of our upcoming guests, visit HamTalkLive 00:44:15.739 --> 00:44:19.960 .com. So for now, this is Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, 00:44:20.000 --> 00:44:26.460 saying 7375, and may the good DX be yours! The 00:44:26.460 --> 00:44:40.519 End.