Girl Guide Badges and radio. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Biggles · 21st Jul 2018, 11:10 am

It would appear that the Girl Guides are modernising their list of achievement badges and as part of that plan Radio Operating has been dropped. I wasn't aware that there was a badge for that but on occasion a photo of Boy Scouts or Girl Guides sitting beside an amateur radio installation being mentored by a licensed operator appears in the press. So it's official. We are obsolete. I would have thought that even learning the basics of two way hand-portable radio operating would have been useful considering the type of outdoor activities the organisation support. Oh well...
Alan.

John10b · 21st Jul 2018, 11:20 am

My wife who was in the Girl Guides for many years cannot remember a badge for that either.
Cheers
John

Dave Moll · 21st Jul 2018, 11:20 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

I would have thought that even learning the basics of two way hand-portable radio operating would have been useful considering the type of outdoor activities the organisation support.

Nah, it's all done by mobile 'phone these days, isn't it?

Dai Corner · 21st Jul 2018, 11:38 am

How about how to charge a mobile phone without a mains supply or how to find a useable signal in a marginal area then?

OscarFoxtrot · 21st Jul 2018, 11:50 am

Scouts still appear to recognise amateur radio to some extent:

https://members.scouts.org.uk/suppor...cat=26,407,351

https://members.scouts.org.uk/suppor...79&moduleID=10

John10b · 21st Jul 2018, 11:52 am

Wife certainly thinks a badge for “How to use Technology...” should included, but not impressed with one for “Mixing Cocktails “!
Cheers
John

Biggles · 21st Jul 2018, 12:14 pm

We all know that mobile phones signals don't get everywhere, but a few low power "walky-talkies" will do the job when you just need to communicate across a field in the middle of nowhere, or administrate a first aid response in a deep valley. That's progress for you.

evingar · 21st Jul 2018, 2:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by John10b

Wife certainly thinks a badge for “How to use Technology...” should included, but not impressed with one for “Mixing Cocktails “!

Well I suppose it's better than one for ironing, washing up or flower arranging

When I was in the cubs / scouts (70s) amateur radio was certainly on the agenda.
I remember much mirth was had by the family when I attained a naturalist badge that had a piccy of a tortoise on it - The inference being it was being slow and late for everything !

Radio Wrangler · 21st Jul 2018, 3:56 pm

I think the guides still have 'thinking day on the air' as their version of JOTA.

David

Phil G4SPZ · 22nd Jul 2018, 10:54 pm

When my middle daughter was in the Guides (she is now 35!) she gained her Radio Communicator's badge. I was teaching the RAE at the time and one of my pupils was a Guide leader. Getting the badge involved attending a Thinking Day On The Air event and several other radio-related tasks.

I remember they had to send off to Guide HQ for the badge, as no-one could ever remember one being awarded in this area. Note that the current Brownies "Communicator" badge still includes options of attending TDOTA, knowing about walkie-talkies and so on: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-...communicator2/ Things have obviously gone downhill since Semaphore ceased to be compulsory.

I have already taught my three granddaughters how to use a simple walkie-talkie. The most important lesson being "Now, this is the release-to-listen button..."

Herald1360 · 23rd Jul 2018, 12:50 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil G4SPZ

"Now, this is the release-to-listen button..."

Brilliant!

Heatercathodeshort · 23rd Jul 2018, 8:40 am

I got my Girl Guide badge for 'Radio Operating' way back in 1959. I was awarded it for producing the largest number of interference spots over the longest distance on a 1952 Band 1 television receiver.

Only three components were employed. An ignition coil, an old car battery and a length of wire. Mind you that was back in 1959 and would be frowned upon today.. John.

Herald1360 · 23rd Jul 2018, 9:37 am

That would be a bit of wire about 3.3 metres long, then.........

Heatercathodeshort · 23rd Jul 2018, 5:50 pm

Quite possibly..J.

Restoration73 · 23rd Jul 2018, 7:38 pm

Prior to 1984 it was only a civil offence.

Station X · 23rd Jul 2018, 7:39 pm

Back on topic please.

russell_w_b · 23rd Jul 2018, 11:19 pm

I got our local Cubs their telecommunications badge some years ago (there were as many girls as boys in the Cubs) with the help of another Morse op (ex-RN) and a couple of Aldis lamps and some PMR446 radios.

For youngsters brought up with instant and ready communications in computers and mobile phones, they were very interested in what we did and the magic was still there.

Viewmaster · 24th Jul 2018, 7:45 am

How to gain the boy scout badge in them old
days. Wireless and radio mechanic. 9p.

Phil G4SPZ · 24th Jul 2018, 7:50 am

It's hard to tell from the thumbnail, but does that read 9p or 9d? The book looks definitely pre-decimalisation!

Dave Moll · 24th Jul 2018, 8:02 am

It does suffer a little from the resolution of forum images, but I'm pretty sure it's a pre-decimal 9D.

21st Jul 2018, 11:10 am	#1
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Girl Guide Badges and radio. It would appear that the Girl Guides are modernising their list of achievement badges and as part of that plan Radio Operating has been dropped. I wasn't aware that there was a badge for that but on occasion a photo of Boy Scouts or Girl Guides sitting beside an amateur radio installation being mentored by a licensed operator appears in the press. So it's official. We are obsolete. I would have thought that even learning the basics of two way hand-portable radio operating would have been useful considering the type of outdoor activities the organisation support. Oh well... Alan. Last edited by Biggles; 21st Jul 2018 at 11:11 am. Reason: typo

21st Jul 2018, 11:20 am	#2
John10b Nonode Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK. Posts: 2,884	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. My wife who was in the Girl Guides for many years cannot remember a badge for that either. Cheers John

21st Jul 2018, 11:38 am	#4
Dai Corner Hexode Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Newport, South Wales, UK. Posts: 278	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. How about how to charge a mobile phone without a mains supply or how to find a useable signal in a marginal area then?

21st Jul 2018, 11:50 am	#5
OscarFoxtrot Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. Scouts still appear to recognise amateur radio to some extent: https://members.scouts.org.uk/suppor...cat=26,407,351 https://members.scouts.org.uk/suppor...79&moduleID=10

21st Jul 2018, 11:52 am	#6
John10b Nonode Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK. Posts: 2,884	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. Wife certainly thinks a badge for “How to use Technology...” should included, but not impressed with one for “Mixing Cocktails “! Cheers John

21st Jul 2018, 12:14 pm	#7
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. We all know that mobile phones signals don't get everywhere, but a few low power "walky-talkies" will do the job when you just need to communicate across a field in the middle of nowhere, or administrate a first aid response in a deep valley. That's progress for you.

21st Jul 2018, 3:56 pm	#9
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,872	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. I think the guides still have 'thinking day on the air' as their version of JOTA. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

22nd Jul 2018, 10:54 pm	#10
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. When my middle daughter was in the Guides (she is now 35!) she gained her Radio Communicator's badge. I was teaching the RAE at the time and one of my pupils was a Guide leader. Getting the badge involved attending a Thinking Day On The Air event and several other radio-related tasks. I remember they had to send off to Guide HQ for the badge, as no-one could ever remember one being awarded in this area. Note that the current Brownies "Communicator" badge still includes options of attending TDOTA, knowing about walkie-talkies and so on: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-...communicator2/ Things have obviously gone downhill since Semaphore ceased to be compulsory. I have already taught my three granddaughters how to use a simple walkie-talkie. The most important lesson being "Now, this is the release-to-listen button..." __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts Last edited by Phil G4SPZ; 22nd Jul 2018 at 11:04 pm. Reason: Update

23rd Jul 2018, 8:40 am	#12
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. I got my Girl Guide badge for 'Radio Operating' way back in 1959. I was awarded it for producing the largest number of interference spots over the longest distance on a 1952 Band 1 television receiver. Only three components were employed. An ignition coil, an old car battery and a length of wire. Mind you that was back in 1959 and would be frowned upon today.. John.

23rd Jul 2018, 9:37 am	#13
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. That would be a bit of wire about 3.3 metres long, then......... __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

23rd Jul 2018, 5:50 pm	#14
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. Quite possibly..J.

23rd Jul 2018, 7:38 pm	#15
Restoration73 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Surbiton, SW London, UK. Posts: 2,801	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. Prior to 1984 it was only a civil offence.

23rd Jul 2018, 7:39 pm	#16
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. Back on topic please. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

23rd Jul 2018, 11:19 pm	#17
russell_w_b Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. I got our local Cubs their telecommunications badge some years ago (there were as many girls as boys in the Cubs) with the help of another Morse op (ex-RN) and a couple of Aldis lamps and some PMR446 radios. For youngsters brought up with instant and ready communications in computers and mobile phones, they were very interested in what we did and the magic was still there. __________________ Regds, Russell W. B. G4YLI.

24th Jul 2018, 7:45 am	#18
Viewmaster Hexode Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, UK. Posts: 253	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. How to gain the boy scout badge in them old days. Wireless and radio mechanic. 9p. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "One small step for man".....because he has arthritis. www.retinascope.co.uk Albert.

24th Jul 2018, 7:50 am	#19
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. It's hard to tell from the thumbnail, but does that read 9p or 9d? The book looks definitely pre-decimalisation! __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

24th Jul 2018, 8:02 am	#20
Dave Moll Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK Posts: 6,127	Re: Girl Guide Badges and radio. It does suffer a little from the resolution of forum images, but I'm pretty sure it's a pre-decimal 9D. __________________ Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)