Fifty years ago this month, the September 1976 issue of Boys’ Life answered the question on the mind of many electronically-inclined scouts: “Ham or CB’er?” (They took some liberties with the capitalization.)

They were diplomatic about it. (After all, a Scout is Kind.) But they clearly came down in favor of Amateur Radio:

As a convenient short-way communication tool, CB has provide its worth in business, farming, home, travel, hiking, boating; on hunting, camping, and fishing trips–even on golf courses.

For more than 70 years, amateur radio has played a role in public service, scientific and technical advances, electronics career training, and international goodwill.

The article reminds readers that Jamboree On The Air was coming up in October. This year’s version runs the weekend of October 17-18, 2026. I’ll be helping out at K0BSA at the North Star Scouting Museum in North St. Paul, MN.