MFJ Ceasing On-Site Production

MFJ Enterprises, Inc founder Martin F. Jue, K5FLU, announced that as of 17th May 2024, the company will cease on-site production at their Starkville, Mississippi, facility. Ameritron, Hy-Gain, Cushcraft, Mirage, and Vectronics brand products will be affected by the shutdown.

In a letter posted to social media, Jue said he is looking forward to retiring.

“Times have changed since I started this business 52 years ago. Our product line grew and grew and prospered. Covid changed everything [for] businesses, including ours. It was the hardest hit that we have ever had, and we never fully recovered.

I turned 80 this year. I had never really considered retirement, but life is so short, and my time with my family is so precious. ”

— Martin F. Jue, K5FLU

Jue founded MFJ Enterprises in 1972, after building a CW filter kit that sold for less than $10. Since 1990, the company has acquired several other legacy brands within the amateur radio market. Jue shared that the company will remain open to sell existing inventory because they have “a lot of stock on hand.” They will also continue to offer repair services for the foreseeable future.

Jue expressed gratitude to the many longtime employees of MFJ, some of whom have been with the company for 40 years. He also thanked MFJ dealers and radio amateurs for their patronage over the decades.

MFJ became a worldwide ham radio leader only because of you. As I turned 80, I cannot thank you all enough for 52 wonderful ham radio years. Thank you, 73s . . . Martin F. Jue, k5flu"

Debate Reopens Over AM Radio's Future In Cars

The future of AM radio will be taking center stage among United States lawmakers starting on 30th April 2024. The Energy & Commerce Committee of the US House of Representatives will begin a hearing on the language needed to fine-tune the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2024.

With the increased popularity of other listening modes in motor vehicles in the US, AM radio has been seen by many, including some automakers, as optional in new cars Those who seek to preserve its inclusion for drivers stress AM radio's vital and longstanding role in transmitting emergency alerts to the public over the airwaves. Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, has called AM radio the backbone of the nation's Emergency Alert System. The proposed legislation would require the Secretary of Transportation to mandate access to AM broadcast radio in all vehicles.

The bill has enough support in the House of Representatives for it to be passed by that chamber.

Last December, Senate supporters tried to pass a similar bill by a procedure known as unanimous consent but that attempt failed.

Amateur Radio Saves Family in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is in a remote desert in southern California, where mobile phone networks are spotty at best. On Saturday 6 April 2024, a radio amateur and his family were enjoying the park when their vehicle became stuck in mud in a dangerous area. Without access to a cell network, the ham called for help on the 10-meter band.

According to a news release from the Black Swamp Amateur Radio Club, Caleb Gustwiller, KD8TGB, jumped into action.

“Without Caleb hearing this distress call, it could have quickly become a very deadly situation for the operator and his family.”

— Facebook Quote

Gustwiller was monitoring from Ohio when he picked up the distress call. He was able to hear the call sign and the general location of the ham in distress. He lost the signal to the noise, so he wrote a post in the Parks on the Air® Facebook group asking for other hams to listen for the calls.

Several hams contacted emergency officials in southern California, which led to the ham and their family being rescued within a few hours by park rangers.

ARRL Story - https://www.arrl.org/news/view/amateur-radio-saves-family-in-death-valley-national-park