[TenTec] Stealth Antennas and restricted QTHs

[Bwana Bob]

No antenna = no Ten Tec.

The problem goes much deeper than ham antennas.  How about the veteran 
medal of honor recipient who was persecuted by the HOA because he wanted 
to fly the flag to honor his fallen buddies, or the Jewish granny who 
was denied permission to put a mezuzah on her door frame?  Its all about 
enforcing conformity in the name of aesthetics.. someone else's sense of 
aesthetics, even if it violates your constitutional rights.  Years ago 
the FCC preempted CC&R's for small satellite TV dishes.  Follow the 
money.  The amateur radio lobby lacks the money or political clout to 
fight the issue, except in a very limited way.

Those who have been able, by whatever means, to operate undercover are 
to be commended for their persistence and technical innovation, but 
until this country returns to its founding principles, the problem can 
only get worse.

                                 73,

                                  Bob WB2VUF

On 11/29/2010 6:56 PM, Ray Sills wrote:
> HI Gang:
>
> This is a topic that periodically shows up.  And, it's a reaction to
> today's modes of housing.  Many decades ago, you either lived in a
> rental apartment, owned a house, or owned a farm.  The landlord of an
> apartment might or might not give permission for a ham antenna.  In
> the other situations rarely became an issue as to whether or not you
> could install a tower or an antenna.  You just did it.  And, anyone
> putting up a tower would site it so that if it ever fell down, it
> would fall only on your own property.
>
> But there is probably no new housing, individual home, town home,
> condo, co-op, constructed these days by a developer that does not add
> =permanent= CC&R wording to the deed.
>
> If you want an "unrestricted" QTH, you have to buy an older home, in
> a neighborhood that was developed many years ago.  And with that,
> comes the implied cost of maintenance, which you have to consider as
> well.  You have to pay someone to fix things, or do it yourself.  And
> an older home will likely need attention, soon, if not right away.
> And, it's still an older home.  You might like the farm idea, but
> that usually puts you -way- out of town, and perhaps too far from the
> big city to let you reasonably commute.
>
> So, if you choose to buy a -new- home, it's almost a guarantee that
> it will come with an HOA, and restrictions.  Or, you'd have to find
> an undeveloped lot, and arrange to find a contractor and builder to
> make a place for you.  And, oh yes, get a mortgage.  It's a lot
> easier to get a mortgage for a property from a large developer, than
> it is when you go it alone.
>
> In my case, I lived in an unrestricted suburban QTH for 4 decades,
> but after retirement, chose to buy a condo near where my sons and
> families live.  I no longer wanted to have the burden of maintaining
> a home, so I opted for a QTH where that is included with the HOA, and
> accepted that I won't have a permanent antenna.
>
> I do remember seeing QST ads for a "Flagpole" antenna, and that's a
> great option for many communities, particularly if he HOA encourages
> the display of Old Glory.  Otherwise, stealth antennas or portable
> antennas are the only realistic options.  But with some creativity
> and determination, an antenna solution can be found.  It may not be
> perfect, but it beats no antenna at all.
>
> 73 de Ray
> K2ULR
> FN20kg
> Warrington, PA
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1170 / Virus Database: 426/3288 - Release Date: 11/29/10
>
>