Mobile chasing station almost there

Equipment
41

I disagree. The 2022 Act is not limited to hand-held mobile phones. I quote a bit of it …

“It’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle. This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline.”

[I bolded the relevant passage]

I intepret that to include holding a microphone. BTW: don’t try to tell the police you were making a voice call and not rx/tx’ing data. It’s all data. Or, that the microphone itself isn’t the thing that actually sends & receives.

The only exception to holding (and using) a handheld/hand-operated device is when making an emergency call.

Before anyone disagrees with this, please read this first:

42

I’m not concerned with whether the law permits using a handheld microphone for two-way radio or not - because when I tried it (over 20 years ago), I really didn’t like it! I do use my phone and my mobile rig while driving, but both systems are fully hands-free.

1 Like
43

Can we assume you missed 110 (4) which states two-way mobile radio is excluded from these rules?

I’m with Tom, I don’t like holding a mic / handheld when driving.

1 Like
44

Small test on VHF this morning, I got Richard @2E0XGO on Fairfield, from my usual place good signals both ways. but I did get assistance from some Sporadic E on 2m SSB Vertical polarised, not a SOTA but I3MTM in JN55PP ( that’s 1813 km’s ) so I can assume the 2m Whip is ok.

My 4M setup is okay with 3 stations on 70 MHz. all great audio in and out,

Next time out will be HF , sometime this week?

Tony

2 Likes
45

I will point out that we are AGAIN pulling Tony’s thread off-topic but I would add that I have not had a car in the last fifteen years where the operation of an amateur radio (HF) transceiver would have been possible while mobile (whether hands-free or not) due to the level of electrical interference generated by a modern car’s computerised engine control systems! Some of the cars I had even generated HF noise when the car was parked and the engine not running! (Peugeot 308)

Pulling this thread back on track hopefully, Tony do you have any car systems noise when parked up?

Ed.

1 Like
46

Okay Ed, no what I did was have a 40ah Car battery in a box in the boot. so If using the 857 I can completely switch off the ignition.

I will plug in the 4m radio via the power socket of which I have a choice of 3 in the Nissan. I would then have to put Ignition in to activate the sockets, but no engine running.

I do not have any interference from the car system at all or I don’t notice it?

1 Like
47

Hi Tony, I was running off a separate battery as well, but even with the ignition off there was some noise of HF from the Peugeot 308 for at least 10 minutes - I guess in that model off didn’t always mean off! - The Peugeot model 2008 is quiet once the ignition is off (as you’d expect).

I’m glad to hear all is good in your case. I didn’t consider using the 12V outlets on either Peugeot as after about 5 minutes the car cuts the power to them if the ignition is off and I didn’t want to leave the ignition on and the engine not running.

2 Likes
48

Just to confirm what I wrote at post 36 & 38, use of hands-free devices whilst driving is legal. But, as this article says …

… Even allowing for this legal exemption, the police can still stop you if they believe your use of a two way radio is distracting you from your driving. This could result in a fixed penalty and points on your licence, or in extreme cases, even a disqualification.

The exception (for “two-way radios”) was created because so many government organizations and private companies (for example council departments and taxi companies) use them. While amateur radio probably gets this exception too, if the police have stopped you, whatever your explanation, they may go for the ‘distracted driving’ option. So, be very careful.

1 Like
49

You do seem to be wanting to have your cake and eat it.

50

In my first post I said I’m open to folk disagreeing with me or having a different interpretation. I don’t know where you are going with this, Andy. You haven’t said how the three quotes from my posts are incorrect.

First quote is my summary of gov.uk statement: It’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle

Second quote is directly taken from same gov.uk site: You can use a device held in your hand if:
you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop
[other exceptions]

Third quote: if you read those posts I stated I understood handsfree operation to be legal.

There’s no contradiction unless you think the gov.uk statements are incorrect or insufficient.

51

I agree with Andy.

1 Like