[HCRA] Does this effect us?

Tue, 17 Jun 2003 20:30:00 -0400

Under consideration in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as I
understand it, are several proposals that would affect the use of
cellular telephones while driving--not just teens under 18. 

A fairly restrictive piece of legislation in Maine that could
conceivably have affected the use of Amateur Radio equipment was
contained in a bill that the ARRL Section Leadership there successfully
rallied against a couple of years ago. The current Maine governor, John
Baldacci, says he won't sign a piece of legislation in Maine that would
affect the ability of ham radio operators to use their equipment while
driving (he's also been studying for his ticket, although that's
apparently a long-horizon project).

Again, as I understand it, a waiver for CBers is included in
Massachusetts' general statutes, and it's also spelled out in one or
more of these cellular telephone bill. (Presumably, public safety and
commercial radio users also could be caught up in theses bills.) 

Urge your Section and Division leadership to get behind putting an
exemption into any of these pieces of legislation (at least the ones
that appear to have a prayer of passing on Beacon Hill) that says the
measure does not apply to Amateur Radio licensees. New York's law
includes this, but hams still get stopped occasionally. Contacting your
state lawmakers and letting your feelings known about specific bills is
the best approach, and if you can attend the hearing(s) and speak on
behalf of an exemption, all the better. That's what ended up calling
attention to the issue in Maine. 

73, Rick N1RL

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Daniel Sullivan
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 7:36 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [HCRA] Does this effect us?

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I am tossing this out because I know from reading the paper and CNN that

this became an issue in NJ. The Globe had a thing today where kids under
18 
cannot use a cell phone. Well that is fine, I've seen how they walk and
talk 
on those things. It's the part where they say this:

"Adults would have to use hands-free accessories while talking and
driving 
or face a $250 fine for the first infraction and $500 for the second."

Does anyone know if this applies to Ham Radio operators? (Just as an
FYI, IN 
the NJ case it explicitily said CB operators but left Ham Operators 
unmentioned leaving the debate open for whther they knew what they were 
talking about apparently.) If this does apply to users of mobile radio 
services such as Ham Radio, what would it do for kids under 18 yrs of
age 
who are Hams. If I recall Brian Sklarsky, N1V?? *sorry Brian its too
early 
in the morning to remember call signs* was under 18 when he got his
ticket 
and he was one of our better and more active storm spotters. Not to
mention 
the DX Crew members about this age who are very active on the air in
public 
service and SKYWARN net times.

Then the whole issue of hands free operation. Since we can't cuss on the
air 
does that mean we have to use vox anyways? I think this needs serious 
thought and consideration.

Here is the article. I would be interested in hearing about this one:

Teen drivers may lose phones

Proposed bill seeks to prohibit conversations on the roadways

By Mac Daniel, Globe Staff, Globe Correspondent, 6/17/2003

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/168/metro/Teen_drivers_may_lose_phones
+.shtml

73's

Dan Sullivan, AA1TE/4

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------Hampden County Radio Association-------
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