The Manly-Warringah Radio Society has an active education/activity program that aims to introduce different aspects of radio to the Scouting movement.
Activities
Activities are tailored for each age group, and cover various aspects of radio technology and communications, including:
- Practical activity: building an emergency radio station
- Communicating on HF (High Frequency, aka Shortwave) radio
- Electronics and spycraft presentation
- Using Echolink (voice chat via Internet and radio) to talk with other Amateurs and Scout groups
- Geocaching (finding a hidden item using a GPS and clues)
- Battleships strategy game played via radio between two groups
- Morse code demonstration
- Building an Arduino-based electronics kit
More activities are being planned, and we welcome your ideas!
Cubs
We run activity nights on a request basis for Cubs that introduce them to various fun aspects of radio. For more details and to register your interest, check out our Cub Scout program info sheet (PDF), or email us.
Scouts
At the Scouting level we participate in the annual Jamboree On The Air (JOTA). We run several fun activities over the JOTA weekend each year; we can cater for troop visits as well. Simply email us!
Venturers
We are happy to discuss the radio-related topics of interest to your group, and have put an evening together that goes into more detail on specific areas. Please contact us!
Becoming a Radio Amateur
The next step, for those who get the “bug”, is to get an Amateur Radio licence and get on the air with your own station. You need to pass a simple multiple choice test to show you understand the basics of radio and safely operating a station. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:
- Contact us to purchase a foundation licence training book.
- Email education@mwrs.org.au book a spot on one of our one-day Foundation Training courses and exam.
- Send off your licence application, then a couple of weeks later the ACMA issues gives you a callsign, and you’re ready to use your radio!
After that, you can start with an inexpensive handheld radio, or join the club and use our station!
Our club members can advise you on how to set up your station, what equipment to buy, etc., so you can get the most out of this great hobby.
First Amateur Radio Licence Youth Grant
If you’re under 18, and you want to become a Radio Amateur, FARLYG, the Manly-Warringah First Amateur Radio Licence Youth Grant (PDF) can help you on your way!
The objective of the Grant is to attract young enthusiasts to the hobby of the Amateur Radio, to ensure the future of the hobby and of the Manly-Warringah Radio Society. It aims to encourage young people who would not normally have an exposure to the hobby to make the necessary steps to obtain an Amateur Radio licence with no or little financial commitment.