Furthermore, under the heading “Emergency Resonse Personnel” it states: “The use of HAND-HELD RADIOS (emphasis added) by amateur radio operators…. will be phased out within three years, to allow hands-free technologies to be developed.” So again, are amateurs using a conventional mobile rig affected?

Just food for thought….

1) Hand held microphones as used by police, fire, ambulance, AND amateurs are ‘close talking microphones’ also known as ‘noise cancelling microphones’.

They’re called that for a reason. In a vehicle traveling on the road, background noise will be as loud as the person speaking if the microphone is not very close to the speaker’s mouth. This isn’t acceptable. That’s why we use the microphones we do.

2) Most of the time, in a mobile amateur installation, the hand mic is hung up on its hook on the dash, or it sits in the lap of the operator. You don’t hold the silly thing all the time! You pick it up, press a button you don’t have to look for, speak (usually brief if moving), release the button and drop the hand mic back into your lap. I think you’ll agree that that’s the way most hams do it. It’s the way it was designed to be used.

3) We all agree that distracted driving IS a problem. But the EXPERTS agree that it’s not what’s in your hand that’s dangerous, it’s what’s in your mind! You HAVE to pay attention to the road FIRST. I’m 63 now, and have been a licensed ‘ham’ since I was 15 years old. I built a mobile rig for my dad’s car and used it from the time I was 16 and earned my driver’s license. In all that time, I’ve never even heard of an accident caused by a ‘microphone’!

4) Hanging a microphone from my sun visor would be legal if I used a foot switch. Which do you suppose is more ‘distracting’? I’ll have this ‘thing’ I either have to look around, or I’ll have to keep reaching for it and swinging it over in front of my mouth to speak while I fumble around looking for a foot switch….or my hand mic?

5) Many amateur radio clubs, and individuals have, on their own time and expense have built a network of repeaters and links that are ‘world class’. The emergency communication skill of amateurs is well documented. The public service record of ‘hams’ is outstanding. If we are not allowed to use our radios in the manner for which they were designed, what incentive is there for amateurs to continue to invest hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars in a mobile installation? What’s the purpose of repeaters in the first place?

6) Again, we all agree that some are simply not capable of driving and using a cell phone. I can’t understand anyone who ‘texts’ while driving. There should be a ‘stupid law’ to cover that one. The ‘hands free’ answer doesn’t quite measure up either. Many will resort to those things you stick in your ear. It is ‘hands free’ and I expect ‘legal’. However, you now have someone who’s half deaf! They may not hear that police siren coming up behind them. Again, it’s what’s in your head that counts. I suspect that listening to a heated discussion on the radio that you’re interested in could be ‘distracting’. It’s what’s in your head and you can’t ‘legislate’ that.

Mr. Bradley was a teacher. He should know that.

7) If hand mics are THAT dangerous then why on earth would we allow the police, fire and ambulance operators use them? Are their lives worth less than ours?

I believe we have to work with the Ontario Trucker’s Association and whatever organization there is for Taxi companies. As amateurs, we’re only a few thousand strong and the government feels they can ignore us and we’ll just ‘go away’.

I also urge every ham to WRITE YOUR MP! Tell them about what we do and how dumb this is.

73 to all

Notwithstanding the above, I think it’s time amateurs took the bull by the horns and work to find solutions to these issues. Its amazing how little gear is currently available for mobile use. VOX headsets are currently only available for handhelds and are mostly ineffective. Bluetooth is very limited and other forms of headsets etc. are clearly not designed with safe mobile usage in mind. I’ve tried almost every Bluetooth solution out there for phones and none of them are impressive to me at this time. Also, do we really want continuous RF this close to our heads. That said, some of the current units may be used with limited effect.

We (amateurs) need to develop better headsets and microphone systems for mobile use as well as better audio switching systems for use with multiple transceivers. Look at aviation as an example of hands free radio usage. We, above all, should be able to work with this regulation given we have three years to become compliant. Time to break-out the soldering irons.

Obviously, they’ve lied again. You simply can’t trust these politicians to actually read anything you send them. They don’t pay any attention to the actual ‘facts of the matter’.

I’m willing to help in any way I can to get this over-turned.

Have a look at: http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2009/09/ontarios-new-rules-for-hand-held-wireless-and-entertainment-devices.html

Highlights: (if they can be called that!)

“The use of hand-held radios by amateur radio operators (who provide assistance, especially in emergency situations such as severe storms and blackouts) will be phased out within three years, to allow hands-free technologies to be developed. ”

“To help these businesses stay competitive, Ontario is granting a three-year phase-out period for the commercial use of two-way radios, including mobile and CB radios, to allow for hands-free technologies to be developed. ”

“Hand-mikes (push-to-talk systems) and portable radios (walkie-talkies) may be used in a hands-free mode. This would mean the driver can use a lapel button or other hands-free application as long as the hand-mike or walkie-talkies is not held while driving.”