[MOham] Important message for Missouri hams

[Ray Brown]

  Shamelessly stolen from Larry's List (KCMO area)...

Wayne, KC0WEG, sends this important message for all Missouri hams.  It
is too easy for the misinformed or uninformed legislators to pass
inaccurate and damaging legislation in their effort to do something
benefitting their constituents. Wayne makes a VERY valid request:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hello Larry,

This morning before work I was reviewing the list of bills already
introduced to the Missouri House of Representatives for the 2009
legislative session. At the top of the list is HB 26, which would
prohibit the use of cellular phones while operating a motor vehicle,
except during an emergency or by emergency vehicle operators. I have
already sent a message to my representative and senator asking them to
learn about and keep in mind the importance of “ham” radio operators
in our state and have asked them to specifically exclude the use of
amateur radios in vehicles from this legislation. I included in my
message links to web sites to help explain the roles and benefits of
hams during community events, severe weather and natural and civil
disasters.

I would like to ask everyone on Larry’s List to also contact their
legislators. It is vital that we are allowed to continue using our
radios while mobile! If anyone if familiar with similar legislation in
other states that is worded to support hams, or knows of web sites or
other public information sources we can use to educate our
legislators, please pass that info to all of us.

For contact information for your legislators, go to:

<http://www.senate.mo.gov/> or

<http://www.house.mo.gov/>

Thanks for your assistance,

Wayne Dothage, KC0WEG
Project Engineer
KCI, Inc.
816-471-0500 x188
816-918-3526 cell
<wdothage at kciinc.net>