Subj : Other Ham Radio News
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Jan 10 2019 06:27 pm
Amateur Radio Applications in Limbo as Partial Shutdown Continues
01/10/2019
The FCC is not processing any Amateur Radio applications, as the partial
government shutdown approaches its fourth week. The FCC suspended "most
operations" at mid-day on Thursday, January 3, although an appearance of
activity continues. For radio amateurs, the shutdown means that while the
Universal Licensing System (ULS) continues to accept applications for all
valid purposes, the FCC will not review, or act upon them, until the
funding stalemate is resolved. This includes Volunteer Examiner Coordinator
test session batch files, as well as modification, renewal, and vanity call
sign applications filed by individual licensees. Amateur Radio newcomers
who have passed the required examinations will have to wait until the
shutdown concludes, to receive a call sign and authorization to operate.
License upgrades are also on hold.
"Due to a lapse in funding, the operations of the Federal Communications
Commission will be limited with no system support. We regret any
inconvenience," the FCC says on the ULS home page. This means very
limited human intervention while the shutdown continues, and if a system
breaks down, it may not be repaired until after employees are back on the
payroll. At this point, 262 of 1,437 FCC employees (excepting contractors)
remain on the job, as are FCC Commissioners.
The Antideficiency Act prohibits FCC and other federal employees from
working until funds are available to pay them; they may not even
volunteer, check their email, or attend meetings. While the law doesn't
directly affect FCC automated filing databases, some of these cannot
operate without regular human intervention.
The Commission has emphasized that it will undertake any activities
necessary for the protection of life and property during the funding
lapse. That includes the High Frequency Direction Finding (HFDF) Center
in Maryland, considered essential.
The FCC website remains up, and the FCC Daily Digest of its activity
continues to be posted, but the website is not being updated, and the
only items in the Daily Digest are those related to spectrum auctions,
activity that is funded through auction proceeds, not government funds.
The Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) also will accept posts, but
filings will not be reviewed or processed until after normal operations
return.
The FCC spelled out the overall impact of the funding lapse in a January
2 Public Notice. Using available funds, the agency was able to maintain
a business-as-usual posture until that date. The FCC released an updated
Plan for Orderly Shutdown Due to Lapse of Congressional Appropriations
on January 9. The resumption of normal operations will also be announced
on the FCC's website.
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