Subj : Amateur Radio Newsline (A) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Fri Apr 26 2019 02:48:25 Amateur Radio Newsline 2165, for Friday, April 26, 2019 Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2165, with a release date of Friday, April 26, 2019, to follow in 5-4-3-2-1. The following is a QST. New distracted-driving bans exempt amateur radio. Hams in Australia face more new fees -- and if you worked on the Grumman LEM, a New York club needs to hear from you. All this and more, as Amateur Radio Newsline Number 2165, comes your way right now. ** BILLBOARD CART ** ARIZONA DISTRACTED-DRIVING BAN EXEMPTS HAMS NEIL/ANCHOR: Our top story this week is the passage of more laws in the U.S. banning drivers from using hand-held electronic devices while behind the wheel. Hams, however, remain unaffected - as we hear from Andy Morrison, K9AWM, and Kent Peterson, KC0DGY. We hear first from Andy. ANDY: Amateur radio operators in Arizona breathed a sigh of relief, as the state's governor signed into law a ban on the use of hand-held phones while driving. Ham radio operators' use of mobile rigs is exempt from the law, which otherwise prohibits drivers from using any hand-held electronic device. Arizona has become the latest U.S. state to enact such a ban. The law was signed on April 22nd by Gov. Doug Ducey (doo-see) and although the law takes effect immediately, the penalties do not kick in until January 1st, 2021. The law came about after two years of work between lawmakers and the legislative coordination staff of the ARRL in Arizona. The ban also exempts citizens band radio operators, as well as commercial drivers who are using a radio to communicate with a dispatcher. In making the announcement, the ARRL Arizona Section Manager Richard Paquette, W7RAP, noted that successful negotiations with lawmakers will be acknowledged at the ARRL's state convention to be held in Prescott, Arizona, on May 31st and June 1st. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Andy Morrison, K9AWM. (ARIZONA CAPITOL TIMES, ASSOCIATED PRESS, ARRL ARIZONA SECTION) ** MINNESOTA'S DISTRACTED DRIVING BAN BEGINS THIS SUMMER NEIL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, Minnesota's own ban is poised to take effect this summer. Here's Kent Peterson, KC0DGY. KENT: Minnesota is joining a number of other U.S. States and Canadian Provinces, in enacting a complete ban on operating wireless communications devices while in control of a motor vehicle, unless the device can solely operate in a voice activated mode. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed the legislation on April 12th, and the new law takes effect on August first. However, there's good news for Hams in the Minnesota bill, which states that [quote] "A wireless device does NOT include a two-way radio, citizens band radio, or amateur radio equipment, used in accordance with Federal Communications rules and regulations." [close quote] Chances are good law enforcement will be out in full force this August, and hams operating their rigs in a vehicle might consider printing out the new law, and keeping a copy of it, as well as their FCC license in the vehicle at all times. For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Kent Peterson, KC0DGY. ** DID YOU WORK ON GRUMMAN'S LUNAR EXCURSION MODULE? NEIL/ANCHOR: A Long Island amateur radio club is looking for hams - or their family members - who have a connection to the Lunar Excursion Module built by Grumman. Jim Damron, N8TMW, has those details. JIM DAMRON: The world knew it as the LEM - or Lunar Excursion Module - and it carried America's first astronauts to the moon in 1969. To residents of Long Island, New York, the LEM became the pride of the community, where it was built locally by the Grumman Corporation. When they activate Special Event station K2M this summer, to mark the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the radio operators from the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club will be fulfilling another important mission: honoring the men and women who had a part in the design and construction of the LEM, especially those who were hams, or from ham families. Lou Maggio, NO2C told Newsline that the club is looking for the names and call signs of those hams who have connections to the Grumman-built LEM, even if they have since become Silent Keys. The club would also like photos of the hams, if available, and a short description of the work they did in connection with the LEM. Lou said that club member Leon Gurinsky, KD2ONC, who had worked directly on Apollo 11's LEM, is creating a certificate honoring the workers, and there will also be a web page. Listen for K2M from July 16th, the launch anniversary, through to July 24th, splashdown anniversary -- and meanwhile, send the names and details by email to Lou at EN-OH-TWO-SEE at arrl dot net. (NO2C@arrl.net) For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jim Damron, N8TMW. (LOU MAGGIO NO2C) --- SBBSecho 3.07-Win32 * Origin: ILinkNet: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (454:1/33) .