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Requirements January 1984 until September 1995

1. Explain what radio is and how radio waves carry information. Include in your explanation: frequency, wavelength, transmitter, microphone, receiver, antenna, amplifier, oscillator, modulation, detection, mixer, and heterdyne.

2. Sketch a diagram showing how radio waves travel locally and around the world and how the sun affects radiowave propogation.

3.

(a) Draw a chart of the electromagnetic spectrum covering 100 kHz to 1000 MHz.

(b) Label the LF, MF, HF, VHF, UHF, SHF, and microwave sections.

(c) Locate on your chart at least eight services such as AM and FM commercial broadcast, CB, television, amateur radio (at least four bands), and police.

(d) Discuss why the frequencies used are well suited to the services you've marked and why the ITU and FCC regulate the use of the radio spectrum.

4. Learn the safety precautions for working with radio gear, particularly DC and rf grounding.

5. Build from parts or a kit at least one piece of radio equipment using transistors, diodes, or vacuum tubes (crystal sets, buzzer-type code sets, and continuity testers are not acceptable). Do the following:

(a) Demonstrate correct soldering and unsoldering techniques on radio equipment and how to prevent heat damage while soldering.

(b) Draw 10 schematic symbols often used in radio diagrams and explain what each of the represented parts do.

(c) Explain how basic test equipment (ohmeter, voltmeter, ammeter, and oscilloscope) could be used to test your circuit.

6. Do ONE of the following (a, b, or c):

(a) Amateur radio

(1) Carry on a real or simulated radio contact of at least 10 minutes using Morse code from memory; use proper prosigns, Q signals, and abbreviations. (Licensed ham operators may substitute five QSL cards as evidence of cw contacts with amateurs in at last three different call districts.)

(2) Listen to and properly log at least 10 ham contacts; send signal reports.

(3) Explain at least eight Q signals or terms you hear while listening.

(4) Discuss Amateur Novice Class license requirements and privileges.

(b) Broadcast radio

(1) Prepare a program schedule for radio station "KBSA" of exactly one-half hour, including music, news, commercials, and proper station identification. Record your program on audio tape using proper techniques.

(2) Listen to and properly log 15 broadcast stations; determine for five of these their transmitting power and general areas served.

(3) Explain at least eight terms used in commercial broadcasting, such as segue, cut, and fade.

(4) Discuss the educational and licensing requirements and career opportunities in broadcast radio.

(c) Shortwave listening

(1) Listen across several short-wave bands for two 4-hour periods, one in the early morning and the other in the early evening. Log the stations properly and locate them geographically on a globe.

(2) For several major foreign stations (BBC or Radio Moscow, for example) list several frequency bands used by each.

(c) Compare your morning and evening logs, noting the frequencies on which your major foreign stations were loudest in each. Explain the differences in signal strength from one period to the next.

(4) Discuss the purpose of and careers in shortwave communications.

7. Visit a radio installation approved in advance by your counselor (ham shack, broadcast station, or public service communication center, for example). Discuss what types of equipment you saw in use, how it was used, what types of license are needed to operate and maintain the equipment, and the purpose of the station.

Requirements September 1995 until January 2002

1. Explain what radio is. Include in your explanation: the differences between broadcast radio and hobby radio, and the differences between broadcasting and to way communicating. Also discuss broadcast radio and amateur radio call signs and using phonetics

2. Sketch a diagram showing how radio waves travel locally and around the world. How do the broadcast radio stations, WWV and WWVH, help determine what you will hear when you listen to a radio?

3. Do the following:

(a) Draw a chart of the electromagnetic spectrum covering 100 kilohertz (khz) to 1000 megahertz(MHz).
(b) Label the LF, MF, HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave portions of the spectrum on your diagram.
(c) Locate on your chart at least eight radio services such as AM and FM commercial broadcast, CB, television, amateur radio (at least for hand radio bands), and police.
(d) Discuss why some radio stations are called DX and others are called local. Explain who the FCC and the ITU are.

4. Explain how radio waves carry information. Include in your explanation: transceiver, transmitter, amplifier, and antenna.

5. Learn the safety precautions for working with radio gear, particularly Dc and Rf grounding.

6. Do the following:

(a) Explain the differences between a block diagram and a schematic diagram.
(b)Draw a block diagram that includes a transceiver, amplifier, microphone, antenna, and feed line.
(c) Explain the differences between an open circuit, a closed-circuit, and a short circuit.
(d) Draw 10 schematic symbols. Explain what three of the represented parts do. Find three electrical components to match to three of these symbols.

7. Do one of the following (a, b, or c):

(a) Amateur radio

(1) Describe some of the activities that amateur radio operators can do on the air, once they have earned an amateur radio license.
(2) Carry on a 10 minute real or simulated ham radio contact using voice or Morris code; use proper call signs, Q signals, and abbreviations. (Licensed ham radio operators may substitute five QSL cards as evidence of contacts with amateur radio operators from at least three different call districts.)
(3) With the help of a local amateur radio operator, talk to and properly log at least two Morse code radio contacts. Record signal reports. Explain how often amateur radio operators must give their call signs during a radio contact.
(4) Explain at least five Q signals or amateur radio terms you hear while listening.
(5) Explain some differences between the Novice Class license and the Technician class license requirements and privileges. Explain who gives amateur radio exams.
(6) Explain how you would make an emergency call on voice or Morris code. Tell why the FCC has an amateur radio service.
(7) Explain handheld transceivers versus home “base" stations. Explain about mobile amateur radios and amateur radio repeaters.

(b) Broadcast radio

(1) Prepare a program schedule for radio station KBSA of exactly one-half Hour, including music, news, commercials, and proper station identification. Record your program on audio tape using proper techniques.
(2) Listen to and properly log 15 broadcast stations; determine for five of the ease their transmitting power and general areas served.
(3) Explain at least eight terms used in commercial broadcasting such as segue, cut, and fade.
(4) Discuss the educational and licensing requirements and career opportunities in broadcast radio.

(c) Shortwave listening

(1) Listen across several shortwave bands for two four-hour periods, one in the early morning, the other in the early evening. Log the stations properly and locate them geographically on the globe.
(2) For several major foreign stations (BBC in Great Britain or HCJB in Ecuador, for example) list several frequency bands used by each.
(3) Compare your morning and evening logs, noting the frequencies on which your selected stations were loudest during each session. Explain the differences in signal strength from one period to the next.
(4) Discuss the purpose of and careers in shortwave communications.

8. Visit a radio installation approved in advance by your counselor (ham radio station, broadcast station, or public service communications center, for example). Discuss what types of equipment you saw in use, how it was used, what types of licenses required to operate and maintain the equipment, and the purpose of the station.