The scouts shown above are taking a break from their campout to pull in some local broadcast stations on the two-tube superheterodyne receiver they constructing from the plans in the June 1949 issue of Popular Mechanics. The set used a 1R5 and a 1U5 tube and a 15 foot antenna to get good volume on the local stations. According to the magazine, the set rivaled any regenerative receiver, without the possibility of an annoying squeal.

According to the magazine, the rugged little set was ideal for camping or other knockabut use. It could be transported in a small cardboard container, or, if the builder preferred, in a cabinet.

The filaments ran off two flashlight batteries in parallel, with a 67.5 volt B battery.  For strong stations, a 45 volt battery could be substituted.

Fifty years ago this month, the May 1969 issue of Boys’ Life carried a one-page primer on shortwave listening. It coached scouts on the basics of the hobby. The article noted that you could get started with a portable or table radio, but for the best experience, it recommended a communications receiver in the $100 price range. The bandspread was identified as the most important feature.

The article noted that the lower frequency bands up to 25 meters were best at night, with the higher frequencies being best during daylight hours.

It noted that it was possible to listen in on both U.S. and Soviet space shots, and noted that the frequencies of 17,655 and 20,186 kHz were the most likely.

Shown here in the April 1934 issue of Short Wave Craft magazine is the well equipped station of Henry L. Carter, Jr., W8FTB, 45 Sheldon Terrace, Rochester, N.Y., at the time, the youngest licensed amateur in the United States. Carter was first licensed at the age of 10 on January 14, 1932. He got his first station set up with the assistance of his father, ex-8BOW, who had been licensed in 1923. The transmitter was a crystal controlled three tubes on 3530 and 3840 kHz. Carter reported that he could copy “20 per, and send ‘plenty fast.'”

He had worked stations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and held an Army Amateur Radio Station appointment. He was also the youngest member of the Scout Amateur Radio Net, and as you can see from the uniform, he kept himself busy with Scout work. His troop had organized a radio club consisting of sixteen members.

According to a Sept. 27, 1939, article in the Rochester Times Union contained in this scrapbook,
Carter, then residing at 297 Plymouth Ave. S., joined the Army Signal Corps at the age of 18.

I wasn’t able to find any reference to Carter after the War.  If he had gone back to Rochester, his call would have become W2FTB, but I wasn’t able to find any reference to him holding that call.  He would be about 97 today, so if Mr. Carter or a relative is out there, we would enjoy very much hearing from you to follow up.

Sixty years ago this month, the March 1959 issue of Boys’ Life showed scouts how to put together this two-transistor code practice oscillator. Powered by six penlight cells, one 2N107 transistor served as oscillator, with the other as an audio amplifier. So chances are, the output was both clean and loud. The set featured both tone and volume controls, and had provision for headphones or a built-in speaker.

Sixty years ago this month, amateur radio made the cover of Boys’ Life magazine’s January 1959 issue, which featured an article entitled “Hamming is Fun” by long time ARRL staffer Perry Williams, W1UED.

The article featured the radio adventures of a number of young hams, including Jules Madey, K2KGJ, of Clark, NJ, who apparently inspired the cover. Madey, a high school student, put in as many as 49 hours a week running phone patches for men at the McMurdo base in Antarctica. Since the best conditions were in the middle of the night, Madey made a habit of going to bed right after supper and setting the alarm for 10:30 PM.

The magazine contains two more radio features.  First of all, the Tracy Twins comic shows the boys receiving a radio control airplane that Grandpa insists on operating without a license.  Of course, he gets busted as an FCC helicopter and car swoop in.  Fortunately, he gets off with a warning.

Finally, the Boys’ Life Radio Club had three offerings.  For just 20 cents, they would send out the Radio reprint book containing reprints of earlier articles, along with a free log book.  One dollar would get 60 QSL cards.  And for no cost, the club would send any licensed ham operator scout or scouter a card identifying the bearer as an emergency service ham.

Ninety years ago this month, the December 1928 issue of Boys’ Life carried this picture of Nat Pomeranz, 2APD, of Brooklyn, New York. When a September hurricane devastated Puerto Rico, the Navy’s station was destroyed, but a hasty emergency setup was made. Pomeranz was the first to pull in their weak signal and establish a communications link with the mainland.

The accompanying article noted that the Boy Scouts were in the process of setting up a radio network which could be of service not only in times of emergency, but in establishing closer contact between various troops.

Sixty years ago this month, the December 1958 issue of Boys’ Life magazine ran the rules for the 1959 annual Boys’ Life radio contest.  The contest was set for February 15-28.  To make sure scouts got their sleep, contest time was limited to 12 hours per week.

The contest featured separate categories for hams and SWL’s.  In the Ham category, the top prize was a National NC303 receiver.  The SWL top prize was a Hallicrafters S-85.