BREAKING NEWS: NC HAMS WIN EXCLUSUION FROM MOBILE CELLPHONE BAN
North Carolina lawmakers are again considering a ban on cell phone use
while driving, but Amateur Radio operators in the state would be
specifically exempted, thanks to an amendment requested by Bob Conder
K4RLC, the ARRL State Government Liaison officer.
The bill was debated on Tuesday by the state Senate Commerce Committee.
State Senator William Purcell, a co-sponsor of the bill, told Conder
that Amateur Radio was already exempt because it wasn’t covered by the
definition of “mobile phone”. Conder asked for a specific exemption
anyway, fearing that law enforcement officers on the street wouldn’t
make the distinction between a cell phone and ham radio. The amendment,
which reads “This term does not include two-way mobile radio
transmitters or receivers used by licensees of the Federal
Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service” was accepted
without discussion.
During committee debate, one Senator did ask if the bill would cover
Nextel style “push-to-talk” – operation that is similar to Amateur
Radio. After that concept was explained to some senators who didn’t
understand it, the bill’s sponsor said it “probably would” be included
in the ban.
Similar bills have been introduced in North Carolina over the past few
years, and all have been defeated or died in committee. A similar fate
is expected for this bill, but last year the state did enact a ban for
drivers under 18.
Reporting for Newsline, I’m Gary Pearce KN4AQ. (KN4AQ)