Government Shutdown Affects Ham Radio

Ham Hijinks Staff Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States government partial shutdown continues this week, bringing new ham radio license processing to a halt and shuttering the doors at the FCC.

With no end in sight, the shutdown may affect additional aspects of the amateur radio hobby.

Ham Hijinks has compiled the following list of ham radio-related items or services that have been affected by the U.S. government shutdown:

– All Ham Gear: Now Only Meets Part 95; Parts 96 and 97 are UNFUNDED
– R/C Helicopters at hamfests: GROUNDED
– Yagi Memorial in Dekalb, Iowa: CLOSED (However, 25 novice class radio operators did manage to get past barricades last week)
– LED Callsign Badges: UNAVAILABLE and never will be again.
– “National” calling frequencies: CLOSED
– Split VFO Operation: CLOSED
– Beam heading 34-degrees: CLOSED
– Frames for certificates suitable for framing: UNAVAILABLE
– 60m band: CLOSED (note: so far, no one has noticed)
– Center-fed dipoles: NOT FEEDING
– WWV: Only announcing the time on “odd” numbered minutes
– Automatic Antenna Tuners: Functioning only in manual mode
– PSK31: Now limited to PSK15.5

Other regulatory items of note:

– Any regular net intended for nationwide membership may not meet. State-focused nets may continue if approved by the Governor.
– Ration coupons are now needed for any callsign embroidered materials.

If you know of further ham radio-related shutdown news, please let us know in the comments below.

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