Category Archives: Education

Get The Word Out – Radio Merit Badge

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Get The Word Out!
Know a Scout? Know a Scout Troop?

Please let them know how to sign up for this great educational opportunity. Our very own Jeff, N3EVN will be doing this merit badge class once again.  These scouts will be able to complete all the requirements to achieve this merit badge in one day including being able to get on the air and talk with a real live ham radio operator on a local repeater.

So share this link to get them signed up…
https://scoutingevent.com/527-107894

Camp Guyasuta Merit Badge Day’s

In order to advance through the Scouts BSA program, Scouts must complete merit badges. Camp Guyasuta understands the importance of making sure that requirements are met and the Scout understands the information presented.

Scouts taking a merit badge class are required to talk with their Scoutmaster regarding the badge and receive a signed Blue Card to bring to class.

Upon arrival at Camp Guyasuta check the digital sign in front of the McGinnis Education Center for where to meet for the merit badge class.
No walk-ins will be accepted.

Classes are held at Camp Guyasuta 300 – 23rd Street Sharpsburg, PA 15215
Date:  Saturday 01-17-2026 – 9:00 AM  to 2:00 PM

Please note the following:
* Bring blue merit badge card with scoutmaster signature
* Please bring a water bottle, notebook, and pen
* Please bring BSA medical form A&B with you on the day of the badge
Contact E-mail mike.daniher@scouting.org or 412-782-2669
Cost is $40

History Of A Straight Key

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The Historic Morse Code Key

The J-38 CW key has a vast and wonderful history behind it. The J–38 key was used by all branches of the U.S. military. The J–38 key was produced by numerous manufacturers in very large numbers during the 1940’s and later.
Come to the club and see this type of key in action. The key was donated by W2BRS Patrick Keane in memory of his grandfather.

Trouble Decoding Morse Code?

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Do You Have Trouble Decoding Morse Code?
There An App For That!

If you have trouble decoding morse code there are apps that will help decode the morse for you.   There are both Android and Apple IOS apps that will help you decode the morse code so you can copy the code and concentrate on the sending.

Android:  Morse Expert

Decodes Morse Code audio to text. Optimized for decoding weak, fading signals in the noise and interference, especially on the Amateur Radio bands. Optionally highlights Ham callsigns and keywords. The audio may come either from the built-in microphone or from another device, such as a radio, via an audio cable. Decoding is performed using the same algorithms as used in CW Skimmer.

Apple IOS:  Morse Transmitter

Morse Transmitter is the simplest morse code app for iPhone on the list. It allows you to convert text to morse and back in real time. There is a handy dictionary if you want to memorize morse codes for different alphabets and numbers.

QCWA Zoom Presentation

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The FCC in WWII
Patrolling the Ether and Tracking Down Radio Spies

QCWA Zoom Presentation – This talk offers an overview of how the FCC operated during wartime — their equipment, missions, and remarkable accomplishments. The program also features a 20-minute dramatic film released in early 1944, “Patrolling the Ether,” which showcases the RID in action and was among the first films ever broadcast simultaneously across multiple experimental TV stations in the U.S..

FCC License Backlog

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From: ARRL.org Website
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® reports that the FCC has extended the filing deadline to March 5, 2026, for amateur radio licenses that otherwise were due to expire from October 1, 2025, to March 5, 2026. The announcement is included in an FCC Public Notice (DA-25-943) released on Monday, November 17, 2025.

The news follows the recent reopening of the federal government on November 13, following a lengthy 43-day shutdown. Since reopening, many federal agencies, including the FCC, have resumed activities, though reducing backlogs and rebounding to full operations may take some time. This includes significant delays in filing amateur radio license applications.

Read The Full Story Here: https://www.arrl.org/news

VE Testing Session @ Steel City ARC

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LAST TESTING SESSION OF 2025
THURSDAY @ 7:00 PM – November 20th

https://www.arrl.org/getting-your-technician-license

Steel City Amateur Radio Club offers a VE {Volunteer Examiners} testing session every month.  Click on the link below to see when our next examine will be taking place.  The Steel City ARC is only one of two clubs in the Pittsburgh area that has their own club house.  The club has a very long history dating back to 1941.  The club house is located next to Settlers Cabin Park in the Carnegie, PA area.  While at the club house ask if you can try our the radios.  We allow visitors a chance to spin the dial and try the many different radios we have at the club house.  Make sure you check out our antenna farms while your on top of the hill.

https://w3kwh.com/ve-testing/
CLICK HERE TO LEARN OF THE NEXT TESTING SESSION

We Are Now On HamStudy.com – Check Out That Link Here https://hamstudy.org/sessions/6914af4907959df87c170a0d/1

SCARC MEMBERS:
We are looking for an SCARC member switching to upgrade their license class and would be willing to try out the Exam Tools software at this testing session.  Please let the testing team know if you willing to help us out.

SCARC Wins W3PIE Swap-a-thon

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SCARC WINS – W3PIE SWaP-a-thon
Most Versatile and Most Overall

W3KWH took their Go Boxes down to W3PIE for their first SWaP-a-thon.  what is “SWaP” it is the focus on Size, Weight, and Power reduction for Go Boxes.  There were several go boxes on display and those attending had to judge who the winners were.  SCARC won the categories Best Overall and Most Versatile.  So now the club has won two $25 DX Engineering Gift Certificates.

Members:
You have one year to build your own Go Box for the 2026 SWaP-a-thon…

Go Box Show N Tell + Rewards

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Uniontown W3PIE — SWaP-A-Thon
Go Boxes On Display
Focus on Size, Weight, and Power reduction

Announcing the first W3PIE SWaP-A-Thon on Saturday, November 15, 2025! This will take place starting at 9 o’clock at the Uniontown Amateur Radio Club, 433 Old Pittsburgh Road, Uniontown, PA 15401.

“SWaP” is the focus on Size, Weight, and Power reduction – a common DoD and EMCOMM concern regarding electronics. We are inviting hams in our area to attend and show off their Go Kits, with an eye on SWaP.
We also want hams to attend that don’t have a Go Kit yet but are looking for workable ideas that pack as much value and functionality into as small a space as possible. Everything in life is a compromise and this event will illustrate how Go Kit designers have balanced their considerations.
Awards will be given for best overall design, smallest footprint, most innovative approach, and more. We’ll also have food and refreshments, plus you’ll have an opportunity to tour our club’s Vintage Radio Museum.
Additional details will soon appear on our web site: www.w3pie.org. For planning purposes, we ask that attendees RSVP via email to officers@w3pie.org.
We hope to see you there for what will be a fun and educating event!

Morse Code Training Class

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— — .-. … .   -.-. — -.. .   .. …   ..-. ..- -.

Join the SCARC members as we have a Morse Code training class on the Steel City Two Meter Repeater  and/or via the club Echolink connection. Check us out on Monday nights at 7:00 PM.  This will be an over the air broadcast of Morse Code that will help you learn all the letters. Each week we will bring a new set of letters to learn.  This will be a great learning operating session. For more details contact Art WA3BKD “wa3bkd {at} gmail {dit} com”.

SET Drill – FALL

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There will be an SET Drill on Saturday. It will start at 9:30 am and run until noon. We will be operating from the W3KWH clubhouse and will be using that call. At a minimum, we will be operating on the 147.09 W3EXW repeater. If that repeater goes down, we will be using the 444.450 W3KWH repeater on top of Mt. Washington. I will run the HF frequencies and Winlink depending on how many operators we have.
We will be doing a role-playing type exercise where you are welcome to make up your own traffic – the scenario will be announced at 9:30 am on the .09er (Hint: it is NOT a weather drill). Everyone is welcome to participate from their home (or wherever they will be). I will add injects during the drill.
73 de NU3Q Bob
Allegheny County ARES EC
(412) 736-7385
EDITORS NOTE:  This is an great learning experience for new ham radio operators. We do this drills to learn from our mistakes just in case our services are needed in real life.  It is recommended new hams attend these events.