2025 Year-End Review: Amateur Radio News, FCC Updates & Silent Keys

As we close out 2025, Marvin Turner, W0MET, takes a comprehensive look back at the year in amateur radio. In this special year-end episode of The Ham Radio Guy, we cover the biggest equipment releases, major FCC and regulatory developments, industry changes, and key public-service milestones that shaped the hobby.

Highlights include new radios from Yaesu, FlexRadio, Icom, and Kenwood, the expansion of the 60-meter band, ongoing spectrum and antenna-rights advocacy, the shutdown of Hamshack Hotline, and SteppIR’s exit from the amateur antenna market. We also reflect on milestones like the IARU’s 100th anniversary, the Hurricane Watch Net’s 60 years of service, and ARISS special events aboard the International Space Station.

The episode concludes with a respectful tribute to several Silent Keys whose leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on amateur radio.

Whether you’re a seasoned operator or new to the bands, this episode offers a thoughtful recap of where amateur radio has been—and where it’s headed next.

73,

Marvin, W0MET

 
 
Affiliate Links
 
Dakota Lithium – LiPo batteries – 11 yr warranty. Dakota Lithium use Coupon Code: thehamradioguy
 
Hamstuffonline.com
 
American Filament   Use code HRG to give customers 5% off of up to 2 spools.
 
ABR industries – Coax https://abrind.com/?sld=w0met10
 
County Comms - Every day carry items https://countycomm.com/THEHAMRADIO
 
Ham radio Prep  https://www.HamRadioPrep.com/?rfsn=8918896.b362a3.  Use code HAMRADIOGUY.
 
Alpha Antenna.    https://www.alphaantenna.com/W0MET?aff=24
 
Bridgecom Systems https://www-affiliate-bridgecomsystems.goaffpro.com/ 
 
https://portal.referralcandy.com/FKVKH75/share_redirect?type=referral_link_email_click&location=reminder_email&message_id=1231229231
 
Big Poppa Smokers.  http://shrsl.com/4u7s0. FREEAFFBPS  Use code for Free shipping
 
Lido mounts https://www.lidoradio.com/pages/brands?sca_ref=8185043.zmqlAAzYNB
you can also click on any link and use Coupon Code: HamRadioGuy
 
Spec 5 Meshtashtic https://specfive.com?sca_ref=8242389.ii7FfHThhfLNxdCl
SOCIAL MEDIA
 
https://twitter.com/TheHamRadioGuy 
 
https://www.patreon.com/TheHamRadioGuy
 
Email: W0MET@thehamradioguy.com
 
Sign up for the newsletter