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Old November 12th 09, 12:45 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.policy,rec.radio.cb,alt.radio.family,rec.radio.scanner,alt.radio.scanner
radioguy radioguy is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Nov 2008
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Default CB radios, ham radios, and frs.gmrs radios outlawed

CB radio and ham radio has recently been outlawed in Ontario, Canada
as part of the cell phone ban while ddriving. No, this is not another
case of vagurly or broadly worded law. This was deliberate. And if it
can happen in Canada, which it did, it can also happen in the U.S

Notice the CB and ham radio excuse of using microphones being safer
doesn't hold any water with the government lawmakers: And I've seen
the same similar description elsewhere of lawmakers in the U.S. saying
two way radios are even more dangerous than cell phones because of all
the buttons and dials and cord on the microphone which has to be hand
held.

Where do they get this stuff?

CBs and ham radios have been being used mobile since at least the 60's
and in the 50 years since then, I've never heard of any accidents
caused by people talking on the radio in tthe U.S., even when the CB
craze was at it's height with more people on CBs than are now on cell
phones.

At first glance, I thought this also outlawed frs/gmrs. At second
glance, it looks like they will still allow frs.gmrs. At third glance,
I can't tell if they're permitting frs/gmrs or outlawing it.

"According to the Ontario Trucking Association, the government plans
to phase out CBs and similar UHF/VHF radios over the next three years"

"Officials insist CBs present a particular challenge since the
receiver and communications unit are separate from each other and
connected by a cord"


"TORONTO — It’s enough to make CW McCall switch to singing the blues.

Ontario’s ban on hand-held cell phones, texting and other
communication devices while driving kicks in on October 26, and
surprisingly, the government has included truckers’ Citizen Band
Radios (CBs) and similar types of two-way radios in the ban.

According to the Ontario Trucking Association, the government plans to
phase out CBs and similar UHF/VHF radios over the next three years,
assuming that two-way, hands-free technologies are developed within
that time. The OTA says that the Ministry could extend that timeframe
should no suitable technology be readily available to replace CBs.

Officials insist CBs present a particular challenge since the receiver
and communications unit are separate from each other and connected by
a cord.

The pending Ontario ban on CB radios appears to be the only one of its
kind in North America.

The law, which passed earlier this year, officially takes effect on
October 26, where the focus will be on educating drivers. Police will
start issuing tickets on February 1, 2010 for non-compliance.

The set fine for talking without hands-free setting or Bluetooth while
driving has yet to be determined before that date. However, the fine
range permissible for this offense is between $60 and $500.
Reportedly, demerit points will not be handed out for violations.

There are some accommodations for the commercial sector, however,
including permanent exemptions for satellite, navigation, collision
avoidance and other fleet management systems for the viewing of
logistical information on a display as long as the vehicle is not in
motion and the device is not held in hand.

The same goes for hand-held push-to-talk devices, hand mics and walkie-
talkies, which are popular in short-haul and vocational applications
especially.

Just as the law applies to standard cell phones, push-to-talk devices
can only be used while driving if they are mounted or secured to the
vehicle and is easily accessible and activated by one press of a
button. It cannot be hanging from the roof of the cab or dashboard.

OTA played a big part in winning some exemptions. Before the finishing
touches were made to the law, MTO officials were taken to trucking
companies to witness the need of such technology in daily operations.

The OTA supported the intent and the principle of the law. It says the
final version “is directionally appropriate.”

“We support the hand-held cell-phone ban and believe that the Ministry
has made reasonable accommodation for most of the other hand-held
devices used by industry that serve an important business purpose.”

However, Bradley concedes that the three-year phase-out of hand-held
CBs is likely to draw the attention of many truck drivers.

“Given the still pervasive use of these devices in the industry, I
expect there could be push-back from some truck drivers,” he said. “In
many respects the CB is not only an important part of the truckers’
social network, but it is also an important safety device in its own
right.”



http://www.myettnews.com/2009/10/ove...des-cb-radios/