[HIham] Update on Amateur Radio antenna bills: HB 2773 and HB2774

[Jim Reid]

Aloha Kevin,

I will comment about two of your proposed accommodations with
the associations:

> *    Licensed amateur radio operators who are registered with or
> authorized by Civil Defense may during times of emergency deploy any
> temporary antenna consistent with their FCC license.  Emergencies
> include alerts, watches, warnings, and the declaration of an emergency.
> Any antenna temporarily deployed shall be removed within 72 hours after
> the end of the event or emergency condition.
> 
> *    Antennas may be deployed for participation in official Civil
> Defense, governmental or non-governmental agency exercises for emergency
> preparedness.  The antennas shall be removed within 24 hours after the
> exercise.

I suggest that these two be reworded just a bit.  These emergency ,  temporary
antennas should be IN ADDITION to whatever acceptable antenna has been
determined for regular use in the community/building by the amateur.  These
temporary antennas will be bigger,  visible,  and otherwise probably beyond
what would be granted by negotiation with the association,  and right that they
should be to absolutely assure communications capability during emergency
times -- which can last several weeks, as they did here on Kauai following Iniki.

The amateur living under controlled conditions ought to be able to have a regular,
daily use antenna acceptable to the controlled  community unit.  Why?  The
amateur needs regular HF radio use practice so he will truly be prepared
to assist his neighbors when the emergency comes.  The association must not
seize on those two paragraphs to limit the amateur to an antenna ONLY during
declared emergencies or emergency practice!

The "daily use" antenna does not need to be DX capable,  but the temporary
emergency antenna ought to be so capable.  Such capability was of great
value to my neighbors and the surrounding area following Iniki.  Of course,
under the right conditions,  a very modest antenna can be effective with
DX,  depends obviously upon the antenna size and the band of operation.
Ben, K0GVS, has repeatedly demonstrated that he could use SSB to the 
West Coast of the mainland at night on 75 meters by using only the rain gutters 
around his unit in Princeville!

I might also suggest that to obtain permission to have a "stealth" antenna,  or
whatever it might be called in a CC&R community,  the amateur be
required to show that he has passed the ARRL Emergency Communications
course.  This would lend credence and viability to the association that this
guy really can be of help when needed.

Just a couple of thoughts, Kevin.  You folks may already have plowed
through that same ground.

73,  Jim  KH7M