I had planned to launch a part 15.219 station here, until I found out theres a neighborhood rule against
I had planned to launch a part 15.219 station here, until I found out theres a neighborhood rule against
outdoor antennas. I guess the only way i can go is carrier current. Unless someone has some ideas CC it will be.
As Chairman of our Design and Review Committee, I recommend that you submit a proposal to your review entity. Include sketches showing an elevation view and the location on your lot.
If you can demonstrate that your proposed antenna does not negatively impact the neighborhood then you have a chance of gaining approval. This has been my experience. You might be surprised with what we have approved here though literally it was against the covenants and there have been no complaints. That's why there is a review process, it is not all black and white.
If you don't ask, then you know what the answer is. In other words, let them tell you no and then ask what you can modify to make it acceptable.
Neil
As Chairman of our Design and Review Committee, I recommend that you submit a proposal to your review entity. Include sketches showing an elevation view and the location on your lot.
If you can demonstrate that your proposed antenna does not negatively impact the neighborhood then you have a chance of gaining approval. This has been my experience. You might be surprised with what we have approved here though literally it was against the covenants and there have been no complaints. That's why there is a review process, it is not all black and white.
If you don't ask, then you know what the answer is. In other words, let them tell you no and then ask what you can modify to make it acceptable.
Neil
Neil,
Ive walked that walk with the review committee. The answer was a Loud NO.
There has to be a work around other then carrier current.
Neil,
Ive walked that walk with the review committee. The answer was a Loud NO.
There has to be a work around other then carrier current.
I know of a Ham Operator who successfully persuaded his HOA to allow an antenna because it was in the public interest (emergency communications).
More importantly, they accepted his lawyer's argument that his installation was afforded constitutional protection under freedom of speech laws. Apparently this was tried before in court, and the radio operator had won.
FCC Part 15 is a federally mandated entitlement. The HOA might back down if it's called to their attention that such restrictions might be ruled unconstitutional. No HOA wants to go to court or even have their documents subjected to scrutiny. No telling what else might be ruled against them. They may not want to go there. Good luck whatever you come up with.
I know of a Ham Operator who successfully persuaded his HOA to allow an antenna because it was in the public interest (emergency communications).
More importantly, they accepted his lawyer's argument that his installation was afforded constitutional protection under freedom of speech laws. Apparently this was tried before in court, and the radio operator had won.
FCC Part 15 is a federally mandated entitlement. The HOA might back down if it's called to their attention that such restrictions might be ruled unconstitutional. No HOA wants to go to court or even have their documents subjected to scrutiny. No telling what else might be ruled against them. They may not want to go there. Good luck whatever you come up with.
There was a discussion on this subject last year and some ideas were presented for a stealth antenna.
I've also read of successful ham operators loading rain gutters or running antennas along the eves of their house. Some have even run antenna wire along the outside walls of their homes and painted the wire the same color as the wall.
I think one poster here even used a window screen for an antenna. Not sure how well that worked.
But there is a ton of information on stealth antennas on the web. Much of that info could be modified for Part-15 AM use. Being creative is the key and never letting your neighbors know you're broadcasting (or face being blamed for every bit of interference they receive on their radios, TV's, hearing aids, etc.).
C5
There was a discussion on this subject last year and some ideas were presented for a stealth antenna.
I've also read of successful ham operators loading rain gutters or running antennas along the eves of their house. Some have even run antenna wire along the outside walls of their homes and painted the wire the same color as the wall.
I think one poster here even used a window screen for an antenna. Not sure how well that worked.
But there is a ton of information on stealth antennas on the web. Much of that info could be modified for Part-15 AM use. Being creative is the key and never letting your neighbors know you're broadcasting (or face being blamed for every bit of interference they receive on their radios, TV's, hearing aids, etc.).
C5
Home owners associations exist to protect the buyers in a development from virtually anything that might adversely affect the value of the houses or be objectionable to the owners. Unfortunately, an antenna sticking up from one of the houses is "abnormal" and is immediately pegged as a violation.
You can present and win a legal case for allowing the antenna, but you will only incur the wrath of the other homeowners. This is a judgement call that you will need to live with.
Any alternative antenna, such as rain gutters or window screens, will not perform anywhere close to a real antenna in the 100mW realm.
Personally, I prefer to live in an "independent" home that is not subject to HOAs, but alas, HOAs are all the rage.
Home owners associations exist to protect the buyers in a development from virtually anything that might adversely affect the value of the houses or be objectionable to the owners. Unfortunately, an antenna sticking up from one of the houses is "abnormal" and is immediately pegged as a violation.
You can present and win a legal case for allowing the antenna, but you will only incur the wrath of the other homeowners. This is a judgement call that you will need to live with.
Any alternative antenna, such as rain gutters or window screens, will not perform anywhere close to a real antenna in the 100mW realm.
Personally, I prefer to live in an "independent" home that is not subject to HOAs, but alas, HOAs are all the rage.
KC4YGB,
Sorry my suggestion didn't work when you tried, but at least now you know.
Regarding government regulatons, there is a federal PRB-1 (I think that is the right designation) which prevents governments from unreasonably restricting amateur radio antennas but it does not apply to HOAs since the homeowner has agreed to the deed restrictions. There is another law which prevents HOAs from unreasonable restrictions on television receiving antennas but I don't think that will help you either.
Neil
KC4YGB,
Sorry my suggestion didn't work when you tried, but at least now you know.
Regarding government regulatons, there is a federal PRB-1 (I think that is the right designation) which prevents governments from unreasonably restricting amateur radio antennas but it does not apply to HOAs since the homeowner has agreed to the deed restrictions. There is another law which prevents HOAs from unreasonable restrictions on television receiving antennas but I don't think that will help you either.
Neil
On another board, Steve at Radio Brandy described how he hung the new Procaster TX horizontally in the rafters of an attic and got very good performance, about a solid 1/2 mile.
Steve states that the three section antenna of the Procaster is easier to take up into an attic although he doesn't explain how he grounded the TX or if he used radials.
But if you can live with 1/2 mile, that might be a good option. And, BTW, simply telling a hobbycaster that they're better off not living in HOA-type housing is not helpful. This type of housing has its advantages.
C5
On another board, Steve at Radio Brandy described how he hung the new Procaster TX horizontally in the rafters of an attic and got very good performance, about a solid 1/2 mile.
Steve states that the three section antenna of the Procaster is easier to take up into an attic although he doesn't explain how he grounded the TX or if he used radials.
But if you can live with 1/2 mile, that might be a good option. And, BTW, simply telling a hobbycaster that they're better off not living in HOA-type housing is not helpful. This type of housing has its advantages.
C5