A far less complex and easy to do transmitter hunt is simply bring along a bunch of FRS radios. Put a rubber band and some aluminum foil around one of them to key it and make it very low power (carrier only). With a range only sufficent to barely cover the venue (weak signal at the starting point).
Then teach them HT DFing technique. Body blocking for direction and "quieting" for range. Then turn them loose. THey have the energy to almost raster scan the entire venue if needed. I did this once and they found the radio just fine.
The only weakness of doing this with FRS, is the inability to "remove" the antnna for the final closing in. I solved this by making the hidden transmitter easy to SEE when they got close. AND not like trying to find one in a cornfield where one has to DF to the final 4 feet to even find it.
I have found the attention span of cubscouts to be so short, that they would never finish building a beam... And a beam implies using radios that have antenna connectors (not the FRS they likely already have)... Just a thought.
Bob
On Sun, May 25, 2014 at 10:42 PM, Mike Sprenger mikesprenger@gmail.comwrote:
Rich,
Cool, to expand on the idea:
With the hidden transmitter hunt, the clues could be voice recording playing out of the hidden transmitter. which they get clues for one phase of their day, then, tell them for the next phase, make this antenna, and hook to handheld, and go find the thing thats been giving instructions...make sure security group nows what you're hiding for a transmitter and don't put it in a piece of Pipe.
For the clues, feed the hidden transmitter with an iPod output with 1 long audio file that loops on the ipod. Record the clue, followed by 1 min of silence, followed by another clue, silence, clue, silence and set that one audio file to to play as a loop feeding the hidden transmitter...
maybe another transmitter with clues on how to make the antenna, where the instruction paper is hidden, etc...
We did the tape measure antennas at the National Scouting Jamboree last summer, effective. 1/2" PVC pipe, tape, and hose clamps, and a piece of coax with BNC on one end.
73 Mike W4UOO
On Sun, May 25, 2014 at 6:42 PM, Rich/wa4bue <richard.siff@verizon.net
wrote:
Great idea.
This one is clues to answer questions.
Maybe we can do that too!
----- Original Message ----- *From:* Mike Sprenger mikesprenger@gmail.com *To:* Rich/wa4bue richard.siff@verizon.net *Sent:* Sunday, May 25, 2014 5:58 PM *Subject:* Re: [amsat-bb] Cub Scout Space Camp Theme
If doing a treasure hunt, do you make a Tape measure yagi for 2 meters with a handheld and search for a small hidden transmitter outside ?
On Sun, May 25, 2014 at 11:07 AM, Rich/wa4bue <richard.siff@verizon.net wrote:
That was over 2 years ago, but I am sure I can find something. Â It
might
take a while.
So far we are looking at: A short talk On The Air QSOs RECEIVE WEATHER SAT IN ABSENCE of OSCAR A treasure hunt using clues dealing with space history and technology. Â That might add up to 2 - 2.5 hours of activities and learning.
Now new question???? Ideas for CLUES and finds?????????
----- Original Message ----- From: gkcarr@go-express.net To: "Rich/wa4bue" richard.siff@verizon.net Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2014 10:29 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Cub Scout Space Camp Theme
Any chance you have a copy that I can borrow?
George
-----Original Message----- From: "Rich/wa4bue" richard.siff@verizon.net Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2014 06:25 To: gkcarr@go-express.net Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Cub Scout Space Camp Theme
Members of our group certified as Boy Scout Merit Badge councilors several years ago but never got called. We are no longer certified. Â We did produce a DVD showing scouts in amateur radio. Â We provided 45 DVDs one for
each
troop.
----- Original Message ----- From: gkcarr@go-express.net To: "Rich/wa4bue" richard.siff@verizon.net Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2014 10:20 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Cub Scout Space Camp Theme
Not quite related to what you are doing. 5 of us will conduct a 4 hour
class for scouts wishing to achieve the Radio merit badge. 6 times!
Yes,
twic a day, two groups, three weeks. We don't know yet how many in
each
class! I am taking the first hour of each and preparing a power point presentation.
73
George WA5KBH
-----Original Message----- From: "Rich/wa4bue" richard.siff@verizon.net Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2014 13:59 To: "Mark Spencer" wa8sme@comcast.net, "AMSAT BB" <
amsat-bb@amsat.org
,
"'Johnson, Debra K1DMJ'" djohnson@arrl.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Cub Scout Space Camp Theme
WX SAT GREAT IDEA.
Which one? Â Guess there are more then one.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Spencer" <wa8sme@comcast.net
To: "AMSAT BB" amsat-bb@amsat.org; "'Johnson, Debra K1DMJ'" djohnson@arrl.org Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2014 9:53 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Cub Scout Space Camp Theme
Rich,
Good question with a bazillion answers. Â It all depends on what the venue will be. Â Small groups, large groups, are they looking for introductory
material or something in depth, will the timing be during a pass,
what
do you want to accomplish.lots of things impact what will be presented.
I'd suggest you look into presenting something that matches a requirement to satisfy an award the scouts can walk away with. Â Perhaps a
requirement
for a Bear Arrow Point Award. Â I saw major categories for:
Space
Weather
Radio
Electricity
Maps
Each category has some requirements that could be addressed during
your
presentation. Â In my mind, setting up to take a NOAA satellite pass might
fit into a number of these categories (of course it all depends on
when
the scouts will be in the area). This would give you connections to all
the
categories listed above. Â You might have the scouts make a model
of a
CubeSat and then witness a FunCube pass so they can see the data (graphs) that are the outcome of the telemetry (interpreting the graphs would
be
pretty heady stuff of a scout camp venue).
In any event, you're going to have your hands full between the venue, age, time limitation and the bell schedule of the event. Â If all the
stars
align and there is an appropriate pass, all it will take is for the
previous
presentation to run over, and all your careful planning is out the window. So a backup plan is in order. Â BE PREPARED I guess is the word of
the
day.
Hope you have a busy time.
Mark
The K4AMG Club has been approached by a CUB SCOUT summer camp coordinator.
The camp will be held in Norfolk, VA at an Elk's Lodge on Friday June 27th.
Age range of kids are 6 -10 years old.
Looking for suggestions of what to do. Â They are willing to give us
1
- 2
Hours.
Example: Â Toss the satellite where kids stand in a circle and spin a 4"
square box around to show orbit and spin.
So now it is time for your ideas.
Would like to have your responses in the next 5 days ... what should these
kids now ... what can they learn!
Rich W4BUE
Mark Spencer, WA8SME
Education and Technology Program Consultant
ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioTM
43 Pinelock Dr.
Gales Ferry, CT 06335
860-381-5335
860-460-1139Â (cell)
mspencer@arrl.org
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the
author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
-- Thanks, Mike Sprenger (37.9167NÂ 81.1244W is the Summit)
-- Thanks, Mike Sprenger (37.9167N 81.1244W is the Summit) _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb