[Elecraft] HOA Crap

[Bob McGraw]

I totally agree.   However, if you must operate remote, then set up YOUR 
station at a remote location and connect to it.   Renting, leasing, or 
whatever is not a valid ham contact in my log book.

As to a HOA, one gives up certain things to obtain other things. I lived 
in a S. FL condo for 5+ years.  I was on the board 3 years and VP for 2 
years.  I have an idea how "condo commandos" operate.   There are 
advantages and disadvantages.  We have lived in a subdivision for 25 
years which has a HOA.  Again I was on the board for several years.  
There are restrictions which go along with the deed.  You buy into them 
like it or not.    One just has to weight each and decide what they are 
willing to accept.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 6/29/2021 7:34 AM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> Message: 11
> Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2021 21:45:36 -0700
> From: "Rick Bates, NK7I"<rick.nk7i at gmail.com>
> To:elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] HOA Crap
> Message-ID:<51d73949-58de-b605-d0df-62ef3f62e89b at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
>
> No!
>
> Rent a station is NOT ham radio.? Argue all you want; but ham radio is
> about RADIO, even if it's just owning and using an HT because that's all
> you can manage.
>
> You may as well log cell or Skype phone calls or EchoLink contacts (or
> IRLP, DMR, DStar etc) as use remote stations that are not yours; they
> have equal merit; none, zilch, nada, nil.? Only a few even have a radio
> involved; the rest is internet links; not ham radio.
>
> EVERY entry in my log is from MY gear, a station assembled by ME
> (sometime with help building etc), a result of MY best efforts at THAT
> point in time.? It's a matter of pride and is a moral imperative to my
> standards.? Yes, it means I don't make EVERY contact or work every DX
> when I want; I have to wait for propagation, then hope I've done
> enough.? Yes, I've put money into equipment to own, use and maintain;
> not someone else's pocket to rent.? But I EARNED every log entry.
>
> I pity you some; you've lost your compass.? Yes, you can get DXCC in an
> afternoon, moving sites to best apply propagation <<yawn>>.? It's NOT
> your station, it's not worthy of your log; it has no value, because you
> purchased your log and awards instead of investing your time and
> efforts. It's your ego being stroked by your wallet.
>
> Ditto using remote receivers to augment your own; your station can or
> cannot; it's THAT simple.
>
> You have ZERO emergency preparedness without a radio; one of the tenets
> of ham radio.? You can't be prepared if you don't own a radio; if the
> systems are down, you have nothing.? An HT can at least saturate the
> neighborhood to check on others around you.
>
> If you are so HOA bound that nothing outside can grow as an antenna (has
> NEVER been totally exclusive; stealthy has a market); build a club
> station where you can; drive there to operate it and log from that.? If
> it is an emergency and there IS still access, then use the remote if you
> have nothing else.? At least own and learn to use a portable radio (KX3,
> dual band HT, SOMETHING).
>
> Yes, I operate a station remotely; MINE.? And if done well, no one knows
> where you really are at the time of the contact.
>
> But you won't ever sell me that not owning a radio at all and to rent
> and operate remotely is even CLOSE to being a ham.? For pity's sake,
> hand the man an HT!
>
> Harsh, perhaps.? But it's also one reason to escape the blasted HOA
> world too to make your own decisions. HOA is an infestation, a virus
> that allows others to make choices for you, even if you don't like their
> decisions.
>
> /rant off; hot button; this arena gets old fast/
>
> 73,
> Rick NK7I
> More curmudgeonly every year it seems, ain't nuttin wrong with old
> school, it's just not as popular
>
>