11/28/2025
Yes, there will be old Naval calls on the air next weekend.
The Battleship Iowa Amateur Radio Association (BIARA) and the Iowa’s Innovation, Engineering and Technology Team (IET) will activate the ship’s original NEPM Navy call sign on December 6 - 7, 2025. In addition, operators on the Battleship Alabama will activate their ship’s original NEMW call sign on the same days.
The activations will be in memory of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and all the radio amateurs and aficionados who answered the call, taking their skills into military and civilian war efforts.
The Federal Communications Commission has issued a waiver to Section 97.111(a) to allow appropriately-licensed amateur radio operators to work NEPM and NEMW for this limited event.
Amateurs are reminded that they may not transmit on the military frequencies issued to NEPM or NEMW. Amateur radio operators must operate within the privileges of their licenses. Licensees of other countries not under FCC jurisdiction are advised to refer to the regulations imposed by their licensing agencies before calling NEPM or NEMW. For more information, frequencies, and the NEPM/NEMW QSL card, please follow the detailed instructions found at biara.org.
