Stealth antenna

Get a HAM license and tell them that PRB-1 federal regulations allow you to put up antennas...or like a dear friend does with his,put a flagpole up which is your antenna! He also uses #28 wire from his window to a tree across the way. When it breaks,he pulls out his fly rod and shoots out a new one. You cant see it at all! He also has a dipole in his attic! He also ran a coax to his car and uses the mobile antennas at home! There is always a way! Devious minds.........
Regards,Lee

A workable approach may be to install the tx. and antenna in the attic. Maybe if you have a fireplace which you do not use, put it in the chimney. A section of downspout not connected to the gutter? As Lee said, devious minds... or as I say, creative minds.

Regarding PRB-1, my understanding is that this preempts restrictions imposed by government entities but it may not apply to CCRs since these are associated with the deed to the property and the owner accepts these when taking title to the property. Before claiming exemption from CCRs under PRB-1 it would be advisable to check into this.

Neil

How much wind will a PVC flag pole take?

If you put up a flagpole, maybe you should be flying the Jolly Roger on it.

Let me guess, they won't let you color your house in day glow green and orange either will they?

I'm in a similar situation to yours with strict HOA rules on outdoor antennas. Having "snoopy", meddlesome neighbors doesn't help either.

But this design for a roofspace antenna is looks intriguing:

http://www.qsl.net/g3pto/roofant.html

Although meant for frequencies higher up the band it might work for AM with some modification. Haven't tried it yet, but hope to soon.

C5

We recycled an old Super Stationmaster commercial antenna,gutted it and built a new antenna inside the radome. Then we drilled the brass top cap for a hook and pulley,hung Old Glory,put it on a pipe mount and it works well,with nobody the wiser! He ran wiring for two lights and the coax together,so nobody even suspects what it really is. Regards,Lee

Unfortunately, PRB-1 will not help in this situation, as it only applies to zoning regulations. Strangely, there is an FCC ruling about TV and DBS receive antennas that FCC says pre-empts CC&Rs as well. However, FCC has refused to extend PRB-1 to CC&Rs.

The only option I can think of to get the restriction dumped: If you can show that a no-antennas rule is routinely broken in one or more situations (like maybe for TV antennas), you could pursue a civil action to enjoin the association from enforcement, based on "waiver and abandonment." However, that's guaranteed to make sure you are not on the association's Christmas card list, especially if you win. NOTE: IANAL, and this is not legal advice.

Just a little to add. I have been president and served on the design review committee of our HOA and can share some of my experience. Our HOA is rather accomodating to reasonable requests and I realize others may be more "by the book".

Our CCRs do not specifically address antennas but do have a catch all phrase which says "any structure added to a property must have design committee approval". We reviewed each proposal on its own merit and I don't recall denying permission to any of them.

I obtained permission to mount a 2 meter Ringo Ranger (a stick antenna) ham antenna to my chimney by demonstrating that it could not be seen from the street nor from the neighbor's front and back yard. I also painted it black to further blend it into the visual environment and the feed line is painted to match the stucco. It has been there for 18 years with no comments or complaints.

Make a good drawing of your proposed antenna installation showing the elevation view and another showing the placement on your land. This should also show the footprint of the buildings and distances from the lot lines. Submit this to your HOA with a request for permission to erect. You could also make a full size mockup of the antenna to show them physically how it will appear. Talk to your adjacent neighbors about this because they will probably be asked to comment by the review committee. That way they will not be blindsided by a committee request and it gives you a chance to personally explain and sell what you propose in advance.

You really have nothing to lose because in the worst case the HOA will say no which is where you are now.

Neil

Since you own a Rangemaster, have you talked to Keith Hamilton about your situation? Some time ago, I asked him about using a Rangemaster within HOA guidelines and he suggested using the indoor version of the AM1000 and a wire attached to a post on the TX for the antenna. The Rangemaster would be mounted in the attic but near a vent and the wire would hang outside. It would still need radials, in this case strung within the attic, and would not have quite the range of the outdoor version but it would work.

Ask Keith about this and see if he can modify your Rangemaster for indoor use.

C5

You might also explain part15 radio to them and offer your services to be an information source for the community,after all,isnt that what its all about???? Its a built-in audience!!! Regards,Lee