Help Schaumburg Scouts Get on the Air
Here is a practical operating opportunity for SARC members. Scouts on the Air introduces young people to amateur radio through short presentations, hands-on activities, and supervised radio contacts.
A local Scouts on the Air event is planned for girls and boys in Schaumburg Troop 392 on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. SARC members can help by getting on the air, answering the Scouts’ calls, and giving them a friendly first contact.[1]
Event Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Scouts on the Air |
| Scout group | Girls and boys in Troop 392 |
| Participant ages | Ages 10 through 18 |
| Date | Tuesday, September 1, 2026 |
| Time | 7:25 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. Central Daylight Time |
| Community | Schaumburg, Illinois |
| Grid square | EN52xa |
| Stations | Multiple amateur radio stations are planned |
| Frequencies | To be announced closer to the event |
| SARC call to action | Mark the date, watch for frequency updates, and be ready to answer the Scouts |
Frequency and station details may change as the event approaches. Check the Scouts on the Air event page and the linked K9MSG QRZ page before operating.
What Is Scouts on the Air?
Scouts on the Air pairs licensed amateur radio volunteers with Scout troops for a structured and free introduction to ham radio. A typical program lasts about 80 minutes and takes place during a regular troop meeting.[2]
Scouts learn what amateur radio is, how call signs work, how radio waves carry signals, and how licensed operators serve their communities. They then rotate through several activities and operate under the supervision of licensed control operators.
The program may include voice contacts, digital communication, Morse code, radio direction finding, or an introduction to emergency communication. The exact activities depend on the stations, volunteers, propagation, and available time.
How a Typical Program Works
| Approximate Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| First 10 minutes | Introduction to amateur radio, call signs, radio safety, operating procedures, and the available stations |
| Next 60 minutes | Small groups rotate through three to five radio and communication activities |
| Final 10 minutes | Scouts regroup, discuss what they learned, and take part in a short review or quiz |
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A["`Introduction to
amateur radio`"]
B["`Review call signs
and safety`"]
C["`Divide into
small groups`"]
D["`Rotate through
radio activities`"]
E["`Make supervised
contacts`"]
F["`Log stations and
signal reports`"]
G["`Regroup
and review`"]
A --> B
B --> C
C --> D
D --> E
E --> F
F --> G
Why This Matters to SARC
Many people discover amateur radio after meeting a patient operator who makes the hobby feel understandable. Scouts on the Air gives SARC members an opportunity to provide that kind of welcome.
A Scout’s first radio contact does not need to be long or technical. A clear signal, a friendly greeting, and a few simple questions can turn an unfamiliar microphone into a memorable experience.
The program also connects naturally with the Scouting America Radio merit badge. Its amateur radio option includes learning about licenses, radio equipment, repeaters, operating terms, emergency calls, logging, and proper on-air contacts.[3]
How SARC Members Can Participate
Before the Event
- Mark Tuesday, September 1, 2026, on your calendar.
- Check the official event page for the announced call signs, frequencies, and modes.
- Test your station, microphone, antenna, and logging method.
- Review the ITU phonetic alphabet and prepare to speak slowly and clearly.
- Keep the Scouts’ ages and experience levels in mind.
During the Event
- Listen before transmitting.
- Follow the directions of the event stations and control operators.
- Use your call sign clearly.
- Keep contacts short so more Scouts have time to participate.
- Ask simple questions that are easy to answer.
- Give honest signal reports without making the exchange complicated.
- Be patient if a Scout needs help with the microphone or phonetic alphabet.
After the Contact
- Record the contact in your station log.
- Upload the contact only if the event provides the necessary call sign and logging instructions.
- Follow any QSL or confirmation instructions published by the organizers.
- Share your experience with other SARC members.
Good Questions to Ask a Scout
A short conversation is often easier when the responding operator has a few simple questions ready.
- What is your first name?
- Is this your first amateur radio contact?
- Which radio activity have you enjoyed most tonight?
- Have you tried Morse code or radio direction finding?
- What would you like to learn about radio?
Do not ask a young participant to provide a home address, telephone number, email address, or other personal information. Radio conversations are public and can be heard by other stations.
Operating and Youth-Safety Reminders
Scouts may speak over an amateur station as guest operators when a properly licensed control operator supervises the communication and all applicable Federal Communications Commission rules are followed.
Contacts with stations outside the United States require additional care. Direct third-party communication is permitted only when the other country has an appropriate third-party operating agreement with the United States. The licensed control operator is responsible for determining whether a contact is permitted.[4]
Scouting safety guidance also reminds participants that amateur radio conversations are not private. Licensed operators should monitor each conversation and prevent personal contact information from being shared over the air.[5]
Other 2026 Scouts on the Air Events
SARC operators may also be able to support other Chicago-area Scouts on the Air events.
| Date | Scout Group | Community | Published Operating Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, August 3, 2026 | Troop 401, ages 12 through 14 | Glendale Heights, Illinois | 6:50 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. CDT | Multiple stations; frequencies to be announced |
| Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | Girls’ troop, ages 11 through 17 | Oak Park, Illinois | 7:25 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. CDT | FT8, SSB voice, and 70-centimeter FM operations are listed |
| Tuesday, September 1, 2026 | Troop 392, ages 10 through 18 | Schaumburg, Illinois | 7:25 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. CDT | Multiple stations; frequencies to be announced |
Always verify these times and operating details on the official event page. Radio frequencies may change because of interference, propagation, equipment availability, or other operating conditions.
Scouts on the Air and JOTA-JOTI
Scouts on the Air is a local program that can be scheduled with individual troops throughout the year. It should not be confused with Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet, commonly called JOTA-JOTI.
JOTA-JOTI is a worldwide annual Scouting event involving amateur radio, online activities, and international friendship. The 2026 event is scheduled for October 16 through October 18.[6]
Both programs share a useful goal: helping young people learn communication skills while meeting Scouts and volunteers beyond their regular troop.
Suggested SARC Goals
| Participant | Suggested Goal |
|---|---|
| New Technician | Monitor the announced local repeater or simplex frequency and complete one friendly contact if invited. |
| General or Extra Class operator | Monitor the announced HF frequency and help provide Scouts with contacts beyond the local area. |
| Digital operator | Watch for announced FT8 or other digital activity and follow the published event instructions. |
| Portable operator | Use the event as a reason to test a simple portable station before future youth or public-service activities. |
| Experienced net operator | Model clear speech, short exchanges, patient listening, and proper call-sign identification. |
| SARC mentor | Help another club member prepare to participate and explain how supervised third-party communication works. |
Give It a Try
Scouts on the Air is a simple way to share amateur radio with the next generation. You do not need a rare station or a powerful signal to help. You only need to be prepared, patient, and welcoming.
Mark Tuesday, September 1, 2026, on your calendar. Watch for the final frequency details, listen for the Scouts, and give them the kind of first contact that you would have enjoyed when you were new to radio.
Suggested WordPress Details
| Title | Scouts on the Air 2026: Help Schaumburg Scouts Get on the Air |
|---|---|
| Category | Operating Events |
| Tags | Scouts on the Air, SARC, N9RJV, Troop 392, Schaumburg, amateur radio, ham radio, Scouting America, youth radio, Radio merit badge |
| Excerpt | Schaumburg Troop 392 will participate in Scouts on the Air on September 1, 2026. SARC members can help by monitoring the announced frequencies and giving the Scouts a friendly first amateur radio contact. |
| Suggested Image | Scouts using an amateur radio station under the supervision of friendly licensed SARC volunteers, with a transceiver, microphone, logbook, portable antenna, and map visible. Use a high-resolution 16:9 landscape image suitable for WordPress and Facebook. |
| Call to Action | Mark September 1, check the final operating details, and help Schaumburg Scouts experience amateur radio. |
References
- “Scouts on the Air.” Amateur Radio Events. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://www.amateurradioevents.com/scoutsontheair. ↩
- “What Is Scouts on the Air?” Amateur Radio Events. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://www.amateurradioevents.com/scoutsontheair. ↩
- “Radio Merit Badge.” Scouting America. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/radio/. ↩
- “Guidelines for Amateur Radio Operators.” Scouting America. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://www.scouting.org/international/jota-joti/jota/operators-guides/. ↩
- “Be Safe.” JOTA-JOTI, World Organization of the Scout Movement. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://www.jotajoti.info/be-safe. ↩
- “JOTA-JOTI 2026.” World Organization of the Scout Movement. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://www.jotajoti.info/. ↩