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In Defense of Mobile SSB...

EAFrizzle

Mash Button. Make Far Talk.
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Since it's the 4th, maybe this will start some fireworks.

I've seen several/many posts with concerns about "adjusting the clarifier while driving". These seem mostly to be new people who have gotten some bad advice from some home-bound invald or troll.

I've always know this was nonsense and deception, having run mobile SSB since the 80s, but driving around yesterday showed me  why it's nonsense.

Do you ever adjust your vehicle's HVAC? Do you change channels on the AM/FM? We'll not even bother with cellphones. Of course you do. Adjusting a clarifier is no different.

The difference is that our  eyes are not the primary sensor involved with these things. We put our hands on the knob/button/whatever and let other senses guide us. Our ears tell us when we're on the right station, our skin tells us when the A/C is right, but for some reason people seem to believe that you need to look at the radio to adjust the clarifier. I would submit that if you need to look at the radio while adjusting the clarifier, there may be bigger issues at hand. Ask your doctor if driving is right for you.

And don't even ask about the guys running mobile CW on 20 and 40 meters...
 

W9WSS

Retired LEO
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1,143
Location
Westmont, DuPage County, IL USA
If you are traveling in the State of Illinois, you are permitted to use a CB, Amateur, Business Band radio(s), or any device that the FCC licenses. That doesn't mean that you should be distracted by adjusting said radios while operating a motor vehicle.

Here is the statute:

(625 ILCS 5/12-610.2)
(Text of Section from P.A. 101-81)
Sec. 12-610.2. Electronic communication devices.
(a) As used in this Section:
"Electronic communication device" means an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a hand-held wireless telephone, hand-held personal digital assistant, or a portable or mobile computer, but does not include a global positioning system or navigation system or a device that is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.
(b) A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device.
(b-5) A person commits aggravated use of an electronic communication device when he or she violates subsection (b) and in committing the violation he or she is involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability, disfigurement, or death to another and the violation is a proximate cause of the injury or death.
(c) A violation of this Section is an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles. A person who violates this Section shall be fined a maximum of $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense, and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense.
(d) This Section does not apply to:
(1) a law enforcement officer or operator of an
emergency vehicle while performing his or her official duties;
(1.5) a first responder, including a volunteer first
responder, while operating his or her own personal motor vehicle using an electronic communication device for the sole purpose of receiving information about an emergency situation while en route to performing his or her official duties;
(2) a driver using an electronic communication device
for the sole purpose of reporting an emergency situation and continued communication with emergency personnel during the emergency situation;
(3) a driver using an electronic communication device
in hands-free or voice-operated mode, which may include the use of a headset;
(4) a driver of a commercial motor vehicle reading a
message displayed on a permanently installed communication device designed for a commercial motor vehicle with a screen that does not exceed 10 inches tall by 10 inches wide in size;
(5) a driver using an electronic communication device
while parked on the shoulder of a roadway;
(6) a driver using an electronic communication device
when the vehicle is stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed and the driver has the motor vehicle transmission in neutral or park;
(7) a driver using two-way or citizens band radio
services;
(8) a driver using two-way mobile radio transmitters
or receivers for licensees of the Federal Communications Commission in the amateur radio service;
(9) a driver using an electronic communication device
by pressing a single button to initiate or terminate a voice communication; or
(10) a driver using an electronic communication
device capable of performing multiple functions, other than a hand-held wireless telephone or hand-held personal digital assistant (for example, a fleet management system, dispatching device, citizens band radio, or music player) for a purpose that is not otherwise prohibited by this Section.
(e) A person convicted of violating subsection (b-5) commits a Class A misdemeanor if the violation resulted in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to another. A person convicted of violating subsection (b-5) commits a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the death of another person.
(Source: P.A. 100-727, eff. 8-3-18; 100-858, eff. 7-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)
 

kc2asb

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Messages
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NYC Area
I agree. Adjusting a clarifier is no different than adjusting the volume on the car radio. (at least older car radios!) It does not require you to take your eyes off the road.

Now, let's take the giant center-mounted screens in many newer vehicles, especially EV's - these touch-screens do require you to take your eyes off the road to read or adjust any of the parameters. There is something to be said for the HVAC systems in older vehicles - they had rotary controls and switches that you could work by feel.

With all of the distractions in modern cars, a SSB mobile CB (or any radio gear for that matter) is the least serious of these offenders.
 

kc2asb

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Messages
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Location
NYC Area
If you are traveling in the State of Illinois, you are permitted to use a CB, Amateur, Business Band radio(s), or any device that the FCC licenses. That doesn't mean that you should be distracted by adjusting said radios while operating a motor vehicle.

Here is the statute:

(c) A violation of this Section is an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles. A person who violates this Section shall be fined a maximum of $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense, and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense.
The fines should be higher, especially for third and fourth offenses. After that, it should be license suspension followed by revocation. IMHO
 

K9KLC

Member
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Messages
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Southwest, IL
Heck, yeah! Well done, sir!

Now just get yerself a 4-door, long-bed pickup with a bug-zapper tied from bumper to bumper and do it on 80! 😎😉🤣
You know what I forgot I used a hustler RM80s and did do some 80 one evening up by Chicago. I got to work my own base station just east of St. Louis. A friend was watching our dog while we were headed up to Wisconsin. I didn't do much 80 mobile back then but I remember that one. It was on a GMC pick up truck and the hustler was on the 54 inch mast mounted to a home made bracket just out the side a bit so we could still open the tail gate. Back then I just switched resonators for the band I was on. Soon I upgraded from Tech Plus to general then it was game on for voice !!
 

EAFrizzle

Mash Button. Make Far Talk.
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SE de DFW, Cabrón
You know what I forgot I used a hustler RM80s and did do some 80 one evening up by Chicago.

They might not have been the best looking or performing antennas at the time, but they could do some great Dx when installed properly. Always solid performance from one, and it took a dang good upgrade to get me to change.
 

K9KLC

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They might not have been the best looking or performing antennas at the time, but they could do some great Dx when installed properly. Always solid performance from one, and it took a dang good upgrade to get me to change.
I'll be honest the hustlers with the appropriate resonator worked pretty well. Plus when I got my Yaesu FT-100 the mast was good to go for 6 meters which was really hopping in 98-99. Had some great FM, SSB and even CW openings. Yes SSB mobile. I'm not even sure how it could possibly need defending.
 

EAFrizzle

Mash Button. Make Far Talk.
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Messages
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SE de DFW, Cabrón
I'll be honest the hustlers with the appropriate resonator worked pretty well. Plus when I got my Yaesu FT-100 the mast was good to go for 6 meters which was really hopping in 98-99. Had some great FM, SSB and even CW openings. Yes SSB mobile. I'm not even sure how it could possibly need defending.

I used the 11-meter coil most days; kept a 20 meter coil and whip for SWL while fishing. I liked them because they did what they claimed. Used it exclusively for a few years until I went to a split-feed antenna.
 

K9KLC

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Location
Southwest, IL
I used the 11-meter coil most days; kept a 20 meter coil and whip for SWL while fishing. I liked them because they did what they claimed. Used it exclusively for a few years until I went to a split-feed antenna.
I had an RM 11S on the top a lot !! Just all depending on what I was doing at the moment. At one time when driving a truck before coming off the road, I had a shorter mast on both sides and the 11S on my "cb type radio" and then whatever band on the drivers side to make it easier to just step out and change. Yes they worked pretty good honestly.
 

slowmover

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
3,615
Location
Fort Worth
One might ought distinguish between,

Using 11M to keep abreast of road problems,

and,

Using HF as a hobbyist where radio operation has little to no connection to present events.

An overlap:

An entire RV camp swept away before dawn this morning upstream of Kerrville, TX where the Guadalupe River flooded. At Ingram, TX it rose 29’ in 45-minutes.


Where my parents lived twenty years (both long deceased) probably swept away:


Here, I could see more than one band in operation where mobile use might make sense as folks both near & distant converge to help family and friends.


Straight to topic, (rhetorically), what does clarifier adjustment have to do with the price of eggs?

— The only real problem with mobile radio comms is emotional entanglement. Dissociating from one’s responsibilities.

.
 

merlin

Active Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2003
Messages
3,634
Location
DN32su
I constantly have to adjust the clarifier becaus so many out there are spread across several KHZ.
Not like digital where mor than 10 Hz off frequency, you are not there.
Hardly a distraction because you use your hearing. You know where your clarifier/RIT/BFO control is, that can be done by feel.
Turn a knob/push a button
 

merlin

Active Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2003
Messages
3,634
Location
DN32su
I used the 11-meter coil most days; kept a 20 meter coil and whip for SWL while fishing. I liked them because they did what they claimed. Used it exclusively for a few years until I went to a split-feed antenna.
Yea, I had the full complement of RMxxS coils, but the RM11S was on while tooling the highways.
 

robertwbob

KE0WRU
Joined
Nov 17, 2015
Messages
540
Location
Northeast jasper county,missouri
i use my hearing not eyes when driving. . might have crash very next time i drive. never say never.logged over million miles too. and lots were in old trucks too. ever loose the fear factor use your brain too
 
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