[ARRL-OK] Texting Bill

[Eddie Manley]

I sent this to the House Speaker and Authors of HB 1965, today – the 
“TEXTING” bill that is or will be up for a vote in the Oklahoma House of 
Representatives.  If you are so inclined, please contact your local 
Representative and express our concerns.  Find them on 
<http://www.oklegislature.gov/FindMyLegislature.aspx>, if you don’t know who 
they are.  Just type in your address at this site.

Michael Dean, Oklahoma Section Legislative Liaison, has been working to get 
our exemption into this bill.   Let’s help him out!!!   Here is what I wrote 
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Dear House Representatives and Senator Sharp

As an avid amateur radio licensee, I applaud your legislation regarding 
‘texting’ while driving, and fully support this vital misuse of cell phones. 
Your definition of ‘electronic communication devices’ seemly includes the 
use of my Federally licensed amateur radio privilege.  I would strongly 
recommend that the following be listed in Section 2, paragraph D, after 
number 5. [page 3, line 7].

“A person who is operating an amateur radio and who holds a current, valid 
amateur radio station license issued by the Federal Communications 
Commission.”

Senator Sharp, you had this language in your bill SB 442 last year – we 
appreciated your concern for our valuable resource and participation during 
times of emergencies, so we need to have the above included in the 
exemptions of HB 1965.  To our 10,000 licensed amateur radio licenses in 
Oklahoma, there are several “DIGITAL” communications available for our use – 
WinLink [is a worldwide radio messaging system that mixes digital internet 
technology and appropriate amateur radio technologies], Packet [a form of 
amateur radio data communications using the AX25 protocol], RTTY 
[Radioteletype], CW [Morse Code], APRS [digital communications information 
channel for Ham radio], ATV [Amateur television], etc., that fit your 
definition of ‘electronic communication devices’.   Not all of our 
communication over Ham Radio is by ‘voice’.

As a matter of coincidence and during the Murray Bombing 20 years ago, I was 
the Director of EMS for the Oklahoma State Department of Health.  I spent 
many hours in the State Emergency Operations Center and the best 
communication we had at Ground 0, was amateur radio.  Do not overlook or mix 
this communication resource with ‘texting’.

Thank you for your consideration ..........

Eddie Manley – K5EMS
Oklahoma Division Legislative Affairs
8200 W Prospect Ave
Ponca City OK 74601
(580)761 3073