[Waverley ARS] Question for Mobile Operation on Ls and P plates

[evdw at iprimus.com.au]

Hi Adam,

I have not heard of any such restriction for 2-way radio use in NSW. In Vic
it is an offence to use a mobile radio whilst driving (there are exceptions),
although, I believe, that most do it anyhow. 

As you know, I have a hands free microphone in my car which is wired in place
of the normal microphone and has the PTT switch mounted on the gear stick.
This works extremely well. 

One major difference between mobile phone and 2-way radio use, is that the
radio, being half duplex, can only work in one direction at a time so it
is less distracting whilst driving as you cannot be interrupted bythe person
at the other end like you can on a phone. 

Personally, I have found having the radio in the car is actually very relaxing
and helps to wile away the time when in traffic and also when on long trips.
I think my best one, so far, was chatting to a guy in the states for almost
an hour whilst driving up the highway heading to my parents' place in Wauchope
late one night. It helped keep me alert on the trip. 

73....Eric.

 
>-- Original Message --
>Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:11:41 +1100
>From: Adam Carmichael <carneeki at carneeki.net>
>To: "W.A.R.S. Members List" <members at vk2bv.org>
>Subject: [Waverley ARS] Question for Mobile Operation on Ls and P plates
>
>
>Hi List,
>
>I'm about to sit the Ps driving test in about 3 weeks and I had a 
>question loom overhead...
>
>Mobile / Cellular phones are prohibitied for anyone on their Ls and Ps 
>(even with a hands free kit, even if they pull over to use it!), but 
>where does that leave hams?
>
>It's not a phone, and most of the mobile rigs don't have hands free (and
>
>even if they did, they'd probably be a bluetooth or headset device 
>virtually indistinguishable for a regular police officer to tell the 
>difference) so that only leaves a hand mic as an obvious "but it's not a
>
>phone officer" excuse. And for ham radio, it might go as unacceptable, 
>but where would that leave professional drivers such as a courier who 
>needs a radio for work?
>
>
>
>So long question shortened: can a mobile ham on their Ls / Ps operate 
>mobile?
>
>
>(BTW: I currently don't plan on reverse parking whilst in two parallel 
>DX CW QSOs whilst QRP - safety still remains a concern whilst new to the
>
>roads, but I will be on Ps for atleast 2 years to come).
>
>Thanks,
>
>Adam
>
>-- 
>Adam "carneeki" Carmichael - former VK2FNRD
>p: +61 415 37 1990
>w: http://bigneek.com (personal); http://carneeki.net (business)
>e: carneeki at carneeki.net
>i: 2207644
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