Dear Fellow ODV Members: I endorse Director Hopengarten’s motion, and I appreciate CEO Michel’s support of it for a very specific reason. We here in North Carolina just had a cantankerous round of discussions in our state legislature trying to get an Amateur Radio exemption in a proposed “hands-free” anti-texting while driving bill. Fortunately, the measure died in committee in the House, but a couple of senators implied it will be a matter of time before a sweeping bill is enacted, and it will become increasingly more difficult for Amateur Radio to justify an exemption. Based on remarks like these, I believe we should begin a dialogue to encourage affordable, integrated hands free technology in mobile equipment. Moreover, given the increasing volume and stridency of proposed hands-free legislation, is now a good time to re-examine ARRL’s 2014 Mobile Amateur Radio Operation policy? http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Mobile%20ARS%20Policy%202014%20Oct... With more hands-free technology being embedded in vehicles, the argument that Amateur Radio needs an exemption when more devices incorporate hands-free technology becomes increasingly difficult. Perhaps the time has come that ARRL’s long term goal is to move towards hands-free mobile operations, and encourage suppliers of mobile equipment to integrate hands-free technology as soon as possible. 73 de Bill Morine, N2COP Vice Director – Roanoke Division Representing ARRL members in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia <http://www.arrl-roanoke.org> www.arrl-roanoke.org Facebook Page: ARRL Roanoke Division ARRL – The National Association for Amateur Radio™ From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> On Behalf Of Richard J. Norton Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 10:11 PM To: Fred Hopengarten <hopengarten@post.harvard.edu> Cc: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Subject: [arrl-odv:28314] Re: Motion to Meet with Vendors Although I am supportive of directors meeting with vendors and manufacturers, I believe having a motion like this appear in the minutes will only give the Amateur Radio community the idea that it is not done now. I talk with members of that group from time to time and other Directors do so as well None of you need my permission or a Board motion to talk with vendors. It is a routine part of being an ARRL Director. Please talk with them wherever you encounter them, be it Dayton, Orlando, Boxboro, Pacificon, one of their stores, or wherever you encounter them. Just do it. 73, Dick, N6AA On Tue, Jul 9, 2019 at 2:00 PM Fred Hopengarten <hopengarten@post.harvard.edu <mailto:hopengarten@post.harvard.edu> > wrote: Colleagues, I feel strongly that ARRL should be inquiring of vendors to the Amateur Radio Community as to what they see is in our future, and “around the bend.” The purpose of the meetings proposed by the attached motion is NOT to displace any meetings that the ARRL advertising manager may have with advertisers in Dayton, but rather to inform the Board of what vendors are thinking about. I believe we may have something to learn from vendors (our manufacturers and retailers). Suggestions on wording this motion are, of course, welcome. <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient&utm_term=icon> Virus-free. <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient&utm_term=link> www.avast.com _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org <mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv