In many cases the deed restrictions and covenants are imposed on the
developer by his bank as a condition for getting financing for the
subdivision project. Perhaps we need to talk to bankers also.
My parents were taking out a loan to buy a condo, and my mom expressed
concern about all of the rules at the new place. The bank loan officer
told them that the rules were for their own good, because otherwise
"some ham radio operator might move in next door". He didn't have a good
comeback when she said that her son is a ham radio operator. They
eventually decided to stay in their present, non-CC&R'd, home.
Even if you yourself do not live in such a neighborhood, these
restrictions impose a burden on the Ham Radio community in general since
they impede our ability to recruit and retain new hams. As such, they
are a threat to all of us. If the FCC can intervene against CC&R's for
DSS owners, they can also intervene on behalf of the Amateur Radio
Service, now that the precedent has been established. The FCC needs to
explain to us why they think that they do have authority over satellite
dishes but not for ham antennas.
Dan N8FGV
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