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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Radio
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Radio covers the physics of electromagnetic waves and how signals carry voice, data, and emergency traffic worldwide. You will learn FCC licensing rules, schematic symbols, and radio safety. Requirement 8 lets you dive into amateur radio (HAM), commercial broadcasting, shortwave listening, or direction finding, including making a radio contact.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Radio Frequency Spectrum & Wave Physics
- Transceivers, Antennas & Grounding
- FCC Regulations & Operating Etiquette
- Amateur Radio On-Air Communications
9Printable Pages
9Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Radio Requirements
Every requirement for the Radio merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Radio Safety
Radio Safety. Explain the safety precautions for working with radio gear, including:
- a Grounding for direct and alternating current circuits, power outlets, antennas, and lightning.
- b Preventing and treating electrical burns
- c Preventing lithium-ion battery fires in cell phones and other devices.
2Radio Fundamentals
Radio Fundamentals. Do the following:
- a Do the following:
- b Discuss the following topics with your counselor:
3How Radio Waves Travel
How Radio Waves Travel. Do the following:
- a Sketch a diagram showing how different radio wavelengths can travel locally or around the world.
- b Explain how the radio stations WWV and WWVH can be used to help determine what you can expect to hear when you listen to a shortwave radio.
- c Explain the difference between a distant (DX) and a local station.
4Information by Radio
Information by Radio. Discuss the following with your counselor:
- a How radio waves carry information using continuous wave (CW) Morse Code transmission, amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), single sideband (SSB) transmission, and frequency hopping.
- b How digitized radio standards including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 5G can offer more reliable data transmission and reception than analog standards.
- c How the effective range varies for different methods of information encoding.
- d How the maximum data rate from a Wi-Fi radio system compares to a hard-wired or fiber-optic system.
5Radio Hardware and Services
Radio Hardware and Services. Do the following:
- a Explain the differences between a block diagram and a schematic diagram.
- b Draw a block diagram for a radio station that shows a microphone, speaker, transceiver, transmitter, receiver, amplifier, feedline, and antenna and discuss the function of these components.
- c List consumer devices and services that use analog or digital radio communications.
- d Explain how NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) can alert you to danger.
- e Explain how RFID works and what are some of its uses in everyday life.
6Radio Regulation
Radio Regulation. Discuss the following with your counselor:
- a What the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does and how it is different from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- b How radio station call signs are used in broadcast radio and amateur radio.
- c How the phonetic alphabet is used to communicate clearly.
7Cell Phones
Cell Phones. Do the following:
- a Explain how cellular systems differ from broadcast and hobby radio.
- b Explain what Airplane Mode is and why it is important.
- c Explain how cell phones keep the correct time and show locations and elevations.
- d Explain the benefits and limitations of cell phones in emergencies.
- e Explain wireless charging for cell phones and other devices.
8Amateur and Professional Radio
Amateur and Professional Radio. Do ONE of the following options:
- Option A—Amateur Radio. Do ALL of the following
- Option B—Radio Broadcasting. Do ALL of the following
- Option C—Shortwave and Medium-Wave Listening. Do ALL of the following
- Option D—Amateur Radio Direction Finding. Do ALL of the following
- Option E—Family Radio Service (FRS) and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) Walkie Talkies. Do ALL of the following
- a Is any type of license needed to use these radios? If so: what kind?
- b What radio frequencies are used and how is information encoded?
- c How much power can be used when transmitting?
- d What type of antenna can be used?
- e What is the effective range and what limits it?
- f What are common everyday uses for these radios?
- g How can these radios be useful in an emergency?
9Careers
Careers. Do ONE of the following:
- a Explore careers related to radio. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and advancement. With permission of your parent or guardian, your research methods may include an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work or train. Discuss your findings and career interest with your counselor.
- b Explore how you could use radio knowledge and skills to develop a hobby or to serve as a volunteer. If possible, with permission of your parent or guardian, interview a radio hobbyist or volunteer. Research training and licensing needed, expenses, and organizations that promote or support your objectives. Discuss with your counselor what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursue this.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Radio requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/radio/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
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