The following is a list of projects that can be used for scouting merit badges or science fairs. The projects are designated with degrees of difficulty.

Some of the projects are from the pages of ARRL publications, such as QST Magazine, and some are from commercial manufacturers.

These projects can also be used as part of a larger "History of Morse Code", "History of Radio", or "How Radio Works" presentation.

Beginner

Requires minimal soldering and has few components.

Moderate

Greater number of parts, some soldering skill and greater attention to detail required but still a good "first project" with some supervision.

Advanced

Recommended for someone who has built a project of this nature before. Kits are available, but instructions assume some knowledge.

Articles

Note: Some of the following articles are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print these files, you'll need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader program. (Version 3.0 or later required). More information here.

• Code-Practice Oscillator (beginner) (393,216 bytes, PDF file)
  ARRL Now You're Talking pp. 11-1 to 11-2
  This is a complete oscillator that mounts on a small piece of wood. The circuit board for this project can be ordered from FAR Circuits.
  CPO Construction Steps.ppt (287 KB) Pictures of an oscillator being assembled.
• Suppliers mentioned in the article:
  • FAR Circuits Contact Information
• A Simple Regen Radio for Beginners
  QST September 2000, pp 61-64
  A good project for the beginner, a school science project and Scout Radio Merit Badge. The author after receiving correspondence has additional information he has graciously provided Notes. Authors Web page.
  How to Tune In A Regenerative Receiver
• The HZX Headphone Adapter (36,629 bytes, PDF file)
  QST September 1998, pp. 67-69
  Adapt Lo-Impedance Walkman style headphones to crystal radio work.
• A CW Generator and Audio Distribution System for Students (101,888 bytes, PDF file)
  QST February 2002, pp. 62-64
  Up to eight students can copy CW at the same time.
  Feedback: QST March 2002, p.42 – included in main article.

Note:

Contact information for suppliers mentioned in the above articles should first be confirmed using TIS Address Database Search at the bottom of this page.

Projects

Ramsey Kits

Ramsey Electronics, Inc Contact Information

• Crystal Radio Set - $19.95 (beginner)
  The Crystal Radio Set needs no batteries or reliance on modern semiconductor devices. You'll build a set similar to the ones built by early radio pioneers, using parts that are considered crude by today's standards. What a thrill to pull signals out of the air on such a simple radio. The detector uses an actual piece of Galena. The manual encourages experimentation with other detectors, even a pencil lead or an old razor blade, similar to the "fox-hole" radios of World War 2. Requires no soldering.
• Tunable FM Stereo Transmitter - $34.95 (moderate)
  Just connect a cassette deck or CD player and you're on-the-air with a school, dorm, camp, home, church or neighborhood FM station. Can be received with any FM receiver. No FCC License required.
• AM Transmitter - $29.95 (moderate)
  Operates in the standard AM broadcast band and is easily tunable to any clear spot on the dial in your area. No FCC License required.
• TV Transmitter - $27.95 (moderate)
  Allows you to send any audio and video source (like a VCR or TV camera (cam-corder) to any TV set for up to 300 feet. Tunable to any channel from 2 to 6. (To use this item, you will have to remove the Cable from your TV and set it to use an antenna - usually a switch in the back.)
• FM Broadcast Band Receiver - $24.95 (moderate)
  Receives standard FM broadcast as well as a large portion on either side.
• Aircraft Receiver - $29.95 (moderate)
  Tune into the exciting world of aviation. Listen to the airlines, business, private pilots, military pilots and control towers. (Recommended only if you are within 25 miles of a large airport.)
• Shortwave Receiver - $29.95 (moderate)
  Tune in the BBC, Radio Moscow, etc. True superhet design with AGC, RF gain control and plenty of speaker volume. 4 to 11 MHz frequency range.

MFJ

MFJ Enterprises Contact Information

• The MFJ-8100 Shortwave Regenerative Receiver Kit - $59.95 (moderate)
  This is a fine, attractive regenerative receiver kit that will stand up to the best of them. The regenerative receiver was the intermediary between the crystal and superhetrodyne in the evolution of radio.

Ten Tec

Ten-Tec, Inc Contact Information

• T-kit Model no. 1253 9 Band Shortwave Regenerative Receiver Kit - $59.00 (moderate)
  The classic "first radio kit" is back better than ever! We've combined the very same audio output circuit of Ten-Tec transceivers with a modern FET design for classic regenerative SWL receiving plus one-button electronic band switching. The result is an easy-to-build shortwave radio that's fun and interesting for the whole family. No alignment required! Simply install all parts as directed, put together the high quality mechanical parts and start enjoying the magic of shortwave radio. Explore 9 smooth tuning SWL and ham bands from 1.8 to 22 MHz at the push of a button! Receives AM, SSB, CW and all those other shortwave sounds.
• T-KIT No. 1054, Regenerative 4-Band SWL Receiver Kit - $24.00 (moderate)
  Suggested Enclosure-Plus Pak, No. 1000B, $19.50
  This great little receiver is excellent for clubs, classes and family activities. Band coverage: 49 Meter SWL band, 40 Meter ham band, 31 Meter SWL band, plus exciting 12-15 MHz tuning for daytime shortwave listening, 20 Meter ham band and all those other magical shortwave sounds. The sharp-looking front panel gives the "real radio" look right away: dress up your project later with a case and knobs, and perhaps a speaker. You can enjoy the basic kit just by hooking up 9 to 12 volts DC, setting up a modest wire antenna (10 feet or more of hookup wire) and plugging in your own stereo headphones (1/8" plug). Features convenient push- button bandswitching, on-off switch, "on" LED, tuning, volume, regeneration control.

Homebrew (scratch built)

• The MRX-40 Mini Receiver (advanced) (163,840 bytes, PDF file)
  QST September 1997, pp. 59-60
  A tiny 40 meter amateur band Morse code receiver barely larger than a half dollar.
• The Crystal Radio (advanced) (196,608 bytes, PDF file)
  QST December 1997, pp. 56-57
  The simple crystal receiver described in this article works surprisingly well. Demonstrate a radio that has no obvious power source whatsoever!
• The Neophyte Receiver (advanced) (2,031,616 bytes, PDF file)
  QST February 1988 pp. 14-18
  A simple 80 or 40 meter amateur band AM, Morse Code (CW) and Single Side Band (SSB) receiver.
• Build the Badger (580,625 bytes, PDF file)
  QST September 2002, pp. 49-51
  An ID badge that blinks Morse code.

Expanded List of Kit Suppliers

Search TISfind on the keyword: ELECTRONIC HOBBY KIT

Web Links

• ARRL Introduction To Ham Radio
  Here's your invitation to a friendly, high-tech hobby that's got something fun for everyone!
• SAREX: The Space Amateur Radio EXperiment
  With the help of Amateur Radio clubs and ham radio operators, space shuttle astronauts have been speaking over the ham airwaves while in orbit. They are talking directly with large groups of the general public, showing teachers, students, parents and communities how Amateur Radio energizes youngsters about science, technology, and learning.
• ARRL Youth Skeds Database
  The purpose of this page is to assist those interested in setting up on-the-air schedules (or "skeds") with other schools and/or young people's groups.
• ARRL Scout Handbook
  This booklet will tell you how to get started with Scouting and JOTA. Let's GO!
• Affiliated Club Search
  This page will help you find an ARRL affiliated club near you.
• The Xtal Set Society
  Crystal Sets? Yup, you’ve found an entire site about building Crystal Sets.
  
• Stay Tuned
  Crystal radio and Tube Web site

Article Reprints:

You can get a photocopy of any ARRL published article for $3 ($5 for nonmembers) for each article requested. Contact the ARRL Technical Department (reprints@arrl.org ), 1-860-594-0390) if you wish to get photocopies.

This information was prepared as a membership service by the American Radio Relay League, Inc., Technical Information Service, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-0214. Email: tis@arrl.org (Internet). ARRL HQ is glad to provide this information on the Web free of charge as a service to League members and affiliated clubs.

If you have any questions concerning the reproduction or distribution of this material, please contact:

TIS Coordinator
American Radio Relay League
225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111
Tel: 860-594-0214 Fax: 860-594-0259
(email: tis@arrl.org)