Mobile Amateur Radio Equipment To Be Banned In SD

Jonathan Imberi - KC0DMH writes:



I am writing this article on behalf of all the amateurs in
South Dakota. It was recently brought to my attention that a Senate Bill
was introduced for our state that will ban the use of mobile amateur radio
equipment.


The Bill states: [It is unlawful to operate a cellular
telephone, computer, facsimile, or other portable or laptop device, while
operating a motor vehicle, if the operation of the device requires holding the
device, or a portion of the device, with one or both hands.] <a href="http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2001/bills/SB207p.htm">View
the complete bill here</a>.



The main purpose for this article is to ask for assistance
and support with this issue. I will be writing a letter to our legislature
and it would help greatly to be able to list supporting operator's names and
call signs at the bottom of the letter. My main argument will be the fact
that we all had to obtain a license to operate our radios - unlike cell
phones. Also, the ease of use with a ham mobile rig (because they are
designed with that in mind), compared to a cell
phone. I will also mention the benefits of ham radio. If you would
support our cause to stop this injustice to Amateur Radio operators please send me an e-mail
at kc0dmh@qsl.net, or join me in writing to
our legislators.



Due to the size of our state, our number of operators are
limited, so the more support we can gather the better. Amateur Radio is a
severe minority when compared to cell phones in our state, and it may be a possibility that
our legislature is not even aware of the operators they will be affecting.
If nothing else we want to at least let them know that there is an issue and
that it will be affecting a number of people.



Thank you in advance for all your support.