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Stuff Every Radio Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the Radio merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.

Knowing Radio Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

â–¶ Play the game About this deck

Chapter 1: Electrical Fundamentals

What is the basic job of a radio receiver?

Short answer: It picks up radio waves with an antenna

A receiver uses an antenna to pick up radio waves sent by a transmitter.

Groan of the day: The receiver was very receptive to new ideas.

Sources: Radio

How does a GPS receiver figure out its position?

Short answer: By measuring arrival times of signals from beacons

A navigation receiver measures arrival times of signals from beacons whose positions are known.

Groan of the day: GPS always knows where it stands.

Sources: Radio

Who first proved that radio waves exist?

Short answer: Heinrich Hertz

German physicist Heinrich Hertz first proved the existence of radio waves in 1886.

Groan of the day: Hertz proved it, and it hertz to doubt him.

Sources: Radio

What was special about the KDKA broadcast in 1920?

Short answer: It was the first commercial radio broadcast

The first commercial radio broadcast aired in 1920 from Pittsburgh under call sign KDKA.

Groan of the day: KDKA was on the air and full of election excitement.

Sources: Radio

What is a call sign used for in broadcasting?

Short answer: A unique identifier for the station

Broadcast stations get a unique identifier of letters and numbers called a call sign.

Groan of the day: The station's call sign was a real name-dropper.

Sources: Radio

What does jamming do to radio reception?

Short answer: It deliberately interferes with other signals

Jamming is the deliberate radiation of signals designed to interfere with reception of other signals.

Groan of the day: The jammer really spread itself thin.

Sources: Radio

What does a directional antenna do?

Short answer: Sends or receives waves in one direction

A directional antenna transmits in a beam in a particular direction or receives from one direction.

Groan of the day: The directional antenna always points you the right way.

Sources: Radio

What does an omnidirectional antenna do?

Short answer: Transmits or receives in all directions

An omnidirectional antenna transmits or receives radio waves in all directions.

Groan of the day: The omnidirectional antenna is open to everything.

Sources: Radio

What can limit the range of a radio transmission?

Short answer: Transmitter power and obstructions

Range depends on transmitter power, antenna pattern, receiver sensitivity, noise, and obstructions.

Groan of the day: Obstructions can really get in the way of a good conversation.

Sources: Radio

What is a carrier wave?

Short answer: An oscillating wave that carries information

An oscillator generates a radio frequency current called the carrier wave that carries information.

Groan of the day: The carrier wave really delivers the message.

Sources: Radio

What does a receiver's tuned circuit do?

Short answer: Selects the desired station and rejects others

A tuned circuit selects the desired radio signal and blocks signals at other frequencies.

Groan of the day: The tuned circuit is very picky about its stations.

Sources: Radio

What is bandwidth a measure of?

Short answer: Information-carrying capacity

Bandwidth is the width of frequencies a signal occupies and measures information-carrying capacity.

Groan of the day: That channel had plenty of bandwidth to spare.

Sources: Radio

Why is the radio spectrum a limited resource?

Short answer: Only certain frequencies can be used in an area

The radio spectrum is limited, and each transmission occupies part of the available spectrum.

Groan of the day: Spectrum space is prime real estate for signals.

Sources: Radio

What is the function of an antenna in radio?

Short answer: It radiates or receives radio waves

Time-varying currents in a metal conductor called an antenna generate radio waves.

Groan of the day: The antenna has a real feel for the airwaves.

Sources: Radio

The cheat sheet

The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.

  • A transmitter is an electronic device connected to an antenna that radiates radio waves.
  • A receiver uses an antenna to pick up radio waves sent by a transmitter.
  • Radio waves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies from 3 hertz to 300 gigahertz.
  • Radio is used for radar, radio navigation, remote control, and remote sensing, not just communication.
  • Modulation impresses an information signal on the radio wave by varying some aspect of the wave.
  • A radar beam reflects off an object, and the reflected waves reveal the object's location.
  • A navigation receiver measures arrival times of signals from beacons whose positions are known.
  • Radio signals from a controller device control the actions of a remote device.
  • German physicist Heinrich Hertz first proved the existence of radio waves in 1886.
  • Marconi sent the first transatlantic radio signal, a wireless Morse Code message, in December 1901.
  • The first commercial radio broadcast aired in 1920 from Pittsburgh under call sign KDKA.
  • The ITU coordinates and allocates frequency bands in the radio spectrum for various uses.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. What does a radio transmitter do with radio waves?
    • It generates and radiates them
    • It blocks them from antennas
    • It stores them in a battery
    Show the answer

    It generates and radiates them. A transmitter is an electronic device connected to an antenna that radiates radio waves.

  2. What was special about the KDKA broadcast in 1920?
    • It was the first satellite signal
    • It was the first commercial radio broadcast
    • It was the first radar test
    Show the answer

    It was the first commercial radio broadcast. The first commercial radio broadcast aired in 1920 from Pittsburgh under call sign KDKA.

  3. What can limit the range of a radio transmission?
    • The color of the radio case
    • The brand of headphones
    • Transmitter power and obstructions
    Show the answer

    Transmitter power and obstructions. Range depends on transmitter power, antenna pattern, receiver sensitivity, noise, and obstructions.

  4. What does a transducer do at the sending end of a radio system?
    • Converts information into an electrical signal
    • Turns radio waves into sunlight
    • Cools the transmitter
    Show the answer

    Converts information into an electrical signal. A transducer converts the information to be sent into a time-varying electrical signal.

  5. How does wireless charging move energy to a phone?
    • By shaking the phone
    • Through the air without a cord
    • Through a hidden cable
    Show the answer

    Through the air without a cord. Wireless charging transfers power through the air to charge phones and other devices.

Now make it stick

Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.

This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 23 are in the game for members.

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