FCC and REC system impacts in the event of a government shutdown
FCC and REC have announced their system plans in the event of a government shutdown.
From the FCC
The FCC has confirmed that various systems that will not be available in the event of a shutdown. Those systems that concerns broadcasting and personal radio services as well as general FCC use include:
LMS (License Management System) Used for filing broadcast applications.
ULS (Universal Licensing System) Used for other FCC wireless services including amateur radio, GMRS, land mobile, remote broadcast pickup, broadcast auxiliary (STL), microwave services, etc. For amateur radio, this means that ULS will not be able to process any applications received through the VECs. In other words, if you go to a VE session to get your initial license, don’t expect to get your call sign until after the government reopens.
ETRS (EAS Test Reporting System) ETRS Form One is due on October 3, 2025. If the government shutdown reaches Friday, then we will definitely expect an extension of the due date. Even if it opens before then, we will need the deadline extended since ETRS will be inaccessible.
Systems that will remain available include:
DIRS (Disaster Information Reporting System).
EDOCS (FCC electronic documents, news releases, Daily Digest, etc.).
CORES (Commission Registration System. Used for establishing FRNs and paying fees.
ECFS (Electronic Comment Filing System).
From REC Networks
With the loss of LMS, we will be stopping eLMS services at the time when the FCC discontinues LMS service. This means whatever is in the database will remain in the database.
We are not yet aware if the shutdown will reach the FCC’s Contours API (in some past shutdowns it didn’t). If the shutdown does reach the Contours API, we will lose many services that depend on real time data from the API. These services include, but are not limited to:
FCCdata maps for TV stations, FM advanced contour maps, contour maps for non-US broadcast stations.
myLPFM - mapping, encroachment reports, translator interference reports, HD reports and other functionality.
Elevation Check Tool
Height Above Average Terrain Tool
PREMIS
Undesired to Desired Ratio for Translator into LPFM Interference
The ability for REC to internally develop contour maps using our internal contour plotter. We can still make contour maps using third-party ComStudy II software, but our ability to make the “nice” maps will be unavailable during a shutdown.
Some tools that are on the FCC website that may not be available do have standalone versions that will be available through REC Networks. These tools include:
TOWAIR - Use REC Runway Slope (confirm with TOWAIR after the FCC is restored)
Curves Calculator (is just as authoritative as the FCC version)
FM Model (is just as authoritative as the FCC version)
NADCON (if the one at NOAA becomes unavailable - please verify coordinates with the original site when NOAA is restored).
Please stay tuned to REC Networks’ Facebook Page for more updates from REC.