wrote in message
oups.com...
sorry about the double posting. I don't know how that happened.
Regarding my post, I just remembered, isn't there a federal law that is
supposed to exempt any ham radio operators from any local or state laws
that forbid the use of ham radios while mobile?

And yet, the ham radio operator is still counted as "guilty" by the
judge for using his ham radio while mobile.

Here in blighty it isnt illegal to use one while driving UNLESS..... you
show signs of careless driving or lack of proper control of your vehical to
which then the cb/amateur radio will be used as the cause of your clumsiness
and you will be prosecuted.

Or was this a federal judge who ruled that it was against the law for
the ham radio operator to use his mobile ham radio while he is mobile?

which, in effect, also makes using mobile cb radios against the law
while mobile.

going by the reasoning the judge gave about the ham radios.

To describe a cell phone as the same or near enough the same as a CB shows
the Judges lack of understanding in this case. Cell phones have to be held
to the ear to talk and listed rendering one hand useless for driving as its
held to the head during the entire call(for god sake if your driving and
have a headache dont hold your head or you will be pulled over thinking your
on a cell phone) whereas CB/Amateur hand mics are only used when
transmitting and can be rested on the steering wheel or kept to one side of
the hand while operating the other functions of the car. (indicators, gear
lever etc) so basically the Judge is a dick and the guys defence was bloody
useless. Like i said earlier though if you show signs of losing control of
your vehical or careless driving you will be prosicuted and the CB will be
cited as the reason for your incompetance.

I guess we all have to start looking for base cb radios now, unless you
already have one.

Theres always the hands free option the same as mobile phones. As far as i
know theres no law against using these, in the phones case your not meant to
touch the phone to recieve or end calls with your hand otherwise you should
be fine. Mind you thats in the UK but with all the laws we have im sure the
US cant be worse.... or can it??

But what's the use if you're trying to stay in contact with someone who
is mobile while you're at home or vice versa?

Pull over in a safe area to take the call or just listen? Personally as long
as you are competent in talking on a mic while driving and you dont go into
another world and lose concentration i wouldnt worry too much about it.

Regards,
Graham
--
_._. _... ._. ._ _.. .. _ _ _

Radio is only a Hobby. Don't let it rule your life...

73's - Graham (www.open-channel.co.uk)