Ever use your mobile rig or handheld while driving your car? If HF 9 becomes law, then you’ll be in violation of Iowa law. The bill makes it a crime (a simple misdemeanor) to use a cellular telephone or “other wireless communication device” when driving a car. Unfortunately, there is no exception for amateur radio operators.

As you would expect, news of the House File sparked a flurry of activity with more than a handful of DMRAA members contacting their State Representatives. Tom (NØVPR) has written in protest on behalf of the DMRAA and the ARRL is monitoring the legislation. At the present time the bill has been referred to a subcommittee of the Transportation Committee of the Iowa House. Whether or not the bill actually makes it out of the subcommittee remains to be seen, but if it does we’ll let you know and ask for your assistance in contacting your Representatives.

Special thanks to WØPD for bringing HF9 to our attention. Without his FYI email we likely wouldn’t have caught the bill so early. We rely upon you, our fellow hams, to keep an eye out for amateur radio related news or events that would be of interest–or concern–to our members. Please do not hesitate to email them to us ([email protected]) or to one of the officers directly.