Scouts Communicator Activity Badge
Scouts Communicator Activity Badge

We’re refreshing this badge and we'd love more Scout Troops to be involved. Interested? Drop us an email at [email protected]
Communication can help us reach out to more people, from longer distances and using a wide range of languages. Work towards your Communicator badge and help bring people closer together.
Choose 1 of the following options:
Radio communication
You automatically gain this activity badge if you already hold, or working towards, any of these qualifications:
- Radio Amateur Licence (Foundation, Intermediate or Full)
If not, complete all of these:
- Learn the regulations governing the use of amateur radio equipment.
- Visit an amateur radio station.
- Log 25 different amateur radio stations. Note the date, time, call sign, frequency, readability and location. You may include some broadcast stations.
- Show how to tune a simple communications receiver.
- Give an example of a typical greetings message.
- Explain in simple terms how radio waves travel around the world.
Learn the more commonly used HF and VHF amateur frequency bands.
- Learn the phonetic alphabet and define at least eight international Q code signals.
- Show that you can recognise call signs from the UK and near continent.
Communication codes
- Send and receive a short message by Morse code or semaphore at a rate of five words per minute.
- Show that you know the proper procedure for sending and receiving a message.
- Learn the International Phonetic Alphabet and define at least eight international Q code signals.
- Construct a simple Morse code oscillator and send a short message.
Mobile and internet communication
- Show you know how to use your mobile safely and how to keep it safe.
- Learn the meaning of these terms: SMS, MMS, 3G, 4G, WAP and Bluetooth.
- Send a creative text, multimedia or video message to invite a friend to a Scouts event.
- Manage a mobile phone address book and set up groups of contacts.
- Show you can text accurately at a rate of 50 characters per minute.
- Show you know the meaning of some popular chat abbreviations.
- Share photos and videos of a Scouting activity you’ve been involved with, using available technology.
- Manage an email address book and set up groups of contacts.
Foreign languages
Complete these tasks in any foreign language:
- Carry on a simple conversation for about 10 minutes.
- Act as an interpreter for a visitor who does not speak your native language.
- Write a letter of around 150 words.
- After a few minutes of study, translate a paragraph of basic text.
- Communicate with a person who does not speak your native language.
Translator
Complete these tasks in braille or a recognised sign language, such BSL.
- Carry out a simple conversation for about 10 minutes.
- Use sign language to describe a Scouting experience to another person.
- Act as a translator for a short conversation between a sign language user and someone with no sign language experience.
- Invite a sign language user to talk to your Troop about what it’s like to have impaired hearing or speech.
Help by translating for them during their visit.
Tips
- Getting involved in Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) or Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) provides a good opportunity for Scouts to work towards this badge. For more information, please visit the WOSM event page or the UK JOTA-JOTI Facebook page, or email [email protected].
- Getting involved in Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) or Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) provides a good opportunity for Scouts to work towards this badge. For more information, please visit the WOSM event page or the UK JOTA-JOTI Facebook page, or email [email protected].
We’re currently reviewing and will be updating this badge, as it's a little out of date. We'd love more Troops and volunteers to get involved.
If you're interested, email [email protected] and we'll send you all the info you need.
June 2026.
Requirements can be adapted to suit each young persons abilities. See our guidance on flexibility.