Questions Loom After Cuts at United States Weather Agency

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Questions Loom After Cuts at United States Weather Agency

With the Atlantic hurricane season on the horizon, ongoing job cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, are throwing the agency's future into question among forecasters, scientists, SKYWARN spotters and other hams responding to weather disasters around the nation.

Published reports about the downsizing of a number of US federal agencies indicate that NOAA, the government's climate and weather agency, is bracing for another 1,000 job cuts on top of its recent loss of an estimated 1,300 staffers. The National Weather Service, which is part of NOAA, announced earlier this month that it was temporarily halting launches of some of its weather balloons because of staffing shortages. Data gathered by the weather balloons have been, among other things, an important source of data used by hams and others who regularly track the solar cycle.

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FCC Seeks Public Suggestions On Possible Deregulation

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The FCC is looking for public input on what rules, regulations or other forms of guidance should be eliminated as part of the commission's efforts at deregulation. A public notice has set a deadline of Friday 11th April 2025 for initial comments. Reply comments are due by Monday, 28th April 2025. The commission is hoping to hear recommendations based on changes in technology and the market, cost-benefit considerations and regulations that are a barrier to entry in the communications marketplace. All filings must reference Docket Number 25-133. On its website, the FCC refers to the document as the "Delete, Delete, Delete" docket.

Work at Repeater Site Costs Ham His County Job In Washington State

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Repair work that a ham radio operator and fellow club members conducted on a shared repeater site in Washington State has cost the ham his government job.

Asotin County officials said that Russell Pelleberg KA7MPX was not authorized to give the other members of the Hells Gate Amateur Radio Club access to the secure site and that their work caused a communications outage and a power meter disturbance for other users of the site. County agencies operate two nearby radio repeaters and the local utility, Clearwater Power Co., also has facilities.

According to a report in the Lewiston Tribune, Pelleberg said he had discussed the work with county commissioners and they appeared to be supportive. He told investigators that he had even written a resolution for the county to vote on but there were delays producing the document. The newspaper report said he has apologized on behalf of the club for proceeding ahead of the necessary vote and that the hams meant no harm.

No criminal charges were filed or recommended. Pelleberg, who has worked in government for 35 years, was terminated from his job as the county’s public works director in late January.