OTHER
BENEFITS OF HAM RADIO: HAM operators providing communications for
Venturing & Varsity Teams will also provide four other benefits. First,
they demonstrate communication skills (there is a Radio merit badge that
the young men can earn). Second, they demonstrate the use of Amateur Radio,
and third, it's a GREAT excuse to get out in the mountains and test those
emergency or Field-Day skills - PLUS it provides a valuable service and
it's lots of FUN! A fourth benefit of using Amateur Radios for On Target
is the ability to be in contact with several teams at once (sort of like
having a big party line), whereas cell phones can only provide communications
between two teams at any one time (no busy signals).
Some of the young men, or their adult advisors, may want to learn how to get involved in Amateur Radio and earn their own license. Additional information on how to become a new HAM can be found here.
All Amateur Radio Clubs (ARCs) should encourage their members to get involved
in this fun and educational event. This is a great way to plant the seeds
of interest in Amateur Radio in some young people as well as their adult
advisors. Consider wearing your official club apparel when you help out
with the On Target event.
Venturing & Varsity Teams that would like a HAM to go with them to
help them with communications may contact their local ARC. Venturing &
Varsity Coaches can locate an ARC in your area by checking out the following
links:
http://www.xmission.com/~uarc/other_clubs.html
http://www.arrl.org/field/club/clubsearch.html
Or Venturing & Varsity Coaches can check on the following webpage to see if there are HAMs in their area that have volunteered to help with On Target yet have not found a team to help: