[HCRA] Call to Action for Massachusetts Hams - read Below

Fri Nov 22 13:33:29 EST 2019

Several years ago the state of Vermont was one of the first New England
states to implement the Hands Free law.
The Vermont legislators did their due diligence in crafting their Hands
Free bill.  They specifically provided exemptions for public service,
licenced amateur radio, and citizens band (still used by the trucking
industry).
A quick Google search to find this Vermont legislation and then a copy and
paste would have been the proper course of action for Massachusetts' hands
free law. But alas not.
73
Richard Laviolette
KC1AEO
ARES District Emergency Coordinator
Hampden and Hampshire County, MA

On Fri, Nov 22, 2019 at 11:00 AM AB1WT Jeff <kb1vky at gmail.com> wrote:

> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> so being in law enforcement, the first responder's and police will be
> exempted from the law do to the amount of peopel listening to scanners
> and they only way to communicate in private is through the cell phone
> and they will also exempt them in regards to the use of the radio and
> computers in the cruisers. so we still have to fight for proper
> wording on the use of radios by civilians.
> jeff ab1wt
>
> On 11/21/19, Larry Krainson <computercare at comcast.net> wrote:
> > ______________________________________________
> > -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> > -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> > ______________________________________________
> > Good points Rich.
> >
> >
> > Larry Krainson
> > *Computer Care - since 1991 - our 28th Year in Business!*
> > * - Visit our new web site: **http://oncallcomputerservice.com/
> > <http://oncallcomputerservice.com/>*
> > * - Schedule a Appointment: *https://calendly.com/oncallcomputerservice
> > <
> https://calendly.intercom-mail.com/via/e?ob=1%2Bzktj181JdvMwJwSmbfbre9xAU4zB8JXn1Tf00nVX5B7WKMBKL7ut5Au2L6IisU&h=91e80739cf8b6d293b4aa47c7472ab9485c274a5-21207017822
> >
> >   *- Larry at oncallcomputerservice.com <Larry at oncallcomputerservice.com>*
> > * - 413-348-3289*
> > "We Do On Site Service"
> >
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Nov 21, 2019 at 5:19 PM Rich at powder-hound.com
> > <Rich at powder-hound.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Hello Everyone,
> >>
> >> I'm all for taking the steps to ensure adequate protections exist for
> >> amateur radio operators. However, I don't think there is much of a issue
> >> here. The state cannot make two-way radios illegal to use while
> operating
> >> a
> >> motor vehicle. That would disrupt the operation of police, fire, ems,
> >> public transport, etc....
> >>
> >> GPS navigation devices are excluded from the bill, so long as they are
> >> "mounted". Leave that up to interpretation. Never mind the fact that all
> >> new autos for sale today include screens integrated into the dash.
> >>
> >> There is always a need to be concerned about the unintended consequences
> >> of new legislation. Distracted driving, in general, is already covered
> >> adequately with existing legislation. Mainly the laws that dictate road
> >> rules and driving privileges as they relate to obtaining a drivers
> >> license.
> >>
> >> Overall, I think this is not a very good law. I understand the need but,
> >> the issues that exist as a result of smart-phones can be addressed with
> >> existing legislation.
> >>
> >> If anything, this law will probably create a hell of an obstacle for our
> >> friends in law enforcement.....it is pretty common practice for law
> >> enforcement to use cell phones vs radio...for what that's worth.
> >>
> >> In summary, I don't think we have to worry about radio operation. We are
> >> licensed operators and the equipment is intended and certified for the
> >> use.
> >> That said, distracted driving is a very real issue. If you are
> distracted
> >> by the use of amateur radio while operating a motor vehicle on a public
> >> road, well, you are not acting in the best interest of the common good
> and
> >> probably should be reprimanded. Those reprimands can be issued through
> >> existing laws. No need for new laws.
> >>
> >> Stay safe everyone.
> >>
> >>  73,
> >>
> >> KB1WDW
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --- computercare at comcast.net wrote:
> >>
> >> From: Larry Krainson <computercare at comcast.net>
> >> To: HCRA Email List <hcra at mailman.qth.net>
> >> Subject: [HCRA] Call to Action for Massachusetts Hams - read Below
> >> Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2019 08:51:56 -0500
> >>
> >> ______________________________________________
> >> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> >> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> >> ______________________________________________
> >> Everyone now is the time to start writing and act upon this ASAP:
> >> *MA Distracted Driving Bill, Call to Action* Based on information we
> have
> >> recently received, it may be time to contact your State Representatives
> >> concerning the MA Distracted Driving Bill.
> >>
> >> Over the weekend, Ray, KB1LRL and Tom, K1TW posted on both the WMA and
> EMA
> >> websites the following news item:
> >> https://wma.arrl.org/
> >>
> >>
> https://ema.arrl.org/2019/11/16/ma-lawmakers-announce-surprise-agreement-on-distracted-driving-legislation/
> >> Concerns are being raised across the section's asking what the impact
> this
> >> bill has on amateur radio in the state.  Since the hands-free bills were
> >> first filed, Eastern Massachusetts ARRL State Government Liaison, Hank
> >> W4RIG, has  been closely coordinating with Senator Bruce Tarr, who is
> the
> >> Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader and a radio amateur.
> >> Previously the Senator’s office reported to Hank that Amateur Radio
> >> operation would not be impacted by earlier versions of the bill. With
> the
> >> hands-free bill finally clearing committee on the weekend and ready for
> a
> >> vote, I asked Hank to contact the Senators office once again.  Hank
> >> reports
> >> he has been in touch with the staff at Senator Tarr’s office and with
> >> these
> >> most recent changes they can no longer confirm there will be no impact
> on
> >> amateur radio mobile operation.
> >> My understanding is the problem results from the substitution in the
> final
> >> text from committee of “mobile electronic device” in place of “mobile
> >> telephone”. In the original wording, the definition of a mobile
> telephone
> >> in Massachusetts General Law specifically excludes amateur radios and
> >> citizen band radios.  The definition in Massachusetts General Law of
> >> “mobile electronic device” does not contain any exclusion for amateur
> >> radios and citizen band radios.
> >> Senator Tarr’s office said they are trying to correct this. This may be
> an
> >> appropriate time to contact your Massachusetts Representative and
> Senator
> >> politely asking them to incorporate the same words to exclude amateur
> >> radio
> >> from the revised bill as was previously contained in the definition of
> >> mobile telephone.
> >> This website will help you find contact information for your State
> >> Legislators if you do not already have it:
> >> https://malegislature.gov/search/findmylegislator
> >> 73, Ray Lajoie, KB1LRL SM WMA Tom Walsh K1TW SM EMA
> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL
> >> Western Massachusetts Section Section Manager: Raymond P Lajoie, KB1LRL
> >> kb1lrl at arrl.org
> >> ______________________________________________________________
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> --
> All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
> nothing.
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