|
Latest News |
-
TO4G, Glorioso Island 2008 DXpedition, press release August 13th.
-
9A7K and 9A7BP, Croatian island EU-170 between 14-18 August
-
Firefighter Killed in Toronto Propane Explosion was Radio Amateur
-
LY755W was finished on 6th August
-
VK9CJW, Cocos Keeling, August 22-29th.
-
FK/F5NHJ, New Caledonia (OC-032), August 12-29th, 2008
-
International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend (Aug 16-17, 2008)
-
SV1HEM/8, Meganisi island (EU-052), 13th to 17th August, 2008
-
9A/S53AU, Cres island (EU-136), 9-16 August
-
LA/SP7VC from Lofoten islands (EU-076) on August 8th to 15th, 2008
|
|
DXInfo Counters |
| Visits today: |
35 |
| Visits yesterday: |
108 |
| Visits month: |
3444 |
| Pages today: |
146 |
| Pages yesterday: |
473 |
| Pages this month: |
16120 |
| Data since: |
2008-06-20 |
|
|
Statistics |
Members: 139
News: 503
Web Links: 75
Visitors: 207670
|
|
Archive |
-
August, 2008
-
July, 2008
-
June, 2008
-
May, 2008
-
April, 2008
-
March, 2008
-
February, 2008
-
January, 2008
-
December, 2007
-
November, 2007
|
|
|
California Hands-Free law to go into effect July 1 |
|
|
|
Written by Xavier
|
|
Saturday, 21 June 2008 |
 CALIFORNIA HANDS-FREE LAW TO GO INTO EFFECT JULY 1; HAM RADIO NOT AFFECTED SAYS COUNSEL
A new California hands-free cellular telephone law goes into effect July
1, 2008.
It, like many others around the country, prohibits using mobile
telephones while driving, unless a hands-free device is utilized. ARRL
has received numerous questions about its application to the use of
mobile Amateur Radio stations by licensed amateurs.
The law, in relevant
part, states as follows:
"23123. (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a
wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and
configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in
that manner while driving."
ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, advises that "The definition of
prohibited behavior in California's recent statute does not include a
prohibition of operating a mobile, licensed Amateur Radio station while
driving, because Amateur Radio transceivers are not telephones. While
ARRL cannot guarantee that this statute will not be interpreted by law
enforcement officers or the courts of California more broadly than that,
it is our view that a fair reading of the statute excludes mobile
operation of Amateur Radio equipment by licensed radio amateurs.
"That said, it is obvious that drivers should pay full time and
attention to driving. To the extent that operating their amateur
stations while mobile is a distraction to them, they should consider, if
possible, pulling over safely to the side of the road and conducting
their amateur communications while stationary."
ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, adds that while
the statute on its face does not apply to Amateur Radio mobile
operation, problems could still arise: "Law enforcement officers are not
telecommunications experts and may not understand or be concerned about
the difference between a cellular telephone and a ham radio. If you do
get stopped, be polite and state that you were operating a mobile
Amateur Radio transmitter as specifically authorized by the FCC and not
a wireless telephone. Don't engage in an argument if the officer issues
a citation -- that won't help your cause. If cited, you will need to
follow the instructions about contesting the citation in traffic court.
As ARRL General Counsel Imlay notes, the language of the statute does
not appear to include amateur mobile operation. Unfortunately, you could
have to go through the inconvenience of appearing in court to contest a
citation."
ARRL will continue to monitor the application of this statute relative
to radio amateurs.
[ARRL Letter]
|
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 August 2008 )
|
|
|
Who's Online |
|
We have 1 guest online |
|
Visitors by Country |
| This month 's Top 10 |  | 32% | United States |  | 6% | France |  | 6% | Japan |  | 6% | Germany |  | 5% | United Kingdom |  | 5% | Australia |  | 4% | Spain |  | 4% | Latvia |  | 3% | Poland |  | 3% | Italy | | Visits from 104 countries |
|
|
