[HIham] Re: Radio Amateur Antenna Bills HB2773,HB2774

[Jim Reid]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rep. Hermina Morita" <repmorita@Capitol.hawaii.gov>
To: "'Jim Reid'" <jimr.reid@verizon.net>

> Hi Mr. Reid:  Thanks for sharing the additional information.  
> At this point I believe the bill is overly board and does not 
> give the homeowner or condominium association the 
> ability/opportunity to mitigate issues like  visual impacts.....

> There is another bill on the agenda that deals with the
> placement of solar energy devices (like solar water panels) 
> where it cannot be outright prohibited but allows the 
> Associations to impose reasonable restrictions.  I hope 
> something like that can be worked out - or like in
> your case, one must live in an area with no prohibitions 
> and work with their neighbors to everyone's mutual benefit.  
> Sincerely, Mina Morita

Aloha Ms. Morita,

Thank you for your note, above.  I have learned a bit of feedback
from the hearing held yesterday.  As you mention above,  the
question about visual appearance,  I understand,  was raised
via a question about the "necessary footprint" of an amateur
radio operator's antenna which would actually be useful
during emergency situations which arise in Hawaii at times.

In fact,  it is possible to have a satisfactory amateur antenna
for such emergency situation consisting of just a wire going 
out a window and being strung out to a nearby tree;  need 
only be 60 or 70 feet in length in order for the amateur to 
operate on at least seven, 7,  of the FCC provided short 
wave bands for amateur radio use.  With such a wire,  
he/she could operate satisfactorily about the entire state 
of Hawaii on the 40 meter band (probably the most useful 
shortwave band for communication among the islands during 
the day in the HF spectrum).  

With this same nearly invisible wire,  the operator could 
certainly also contact the US mainland and various other island
nations within the Pacific,  and nations around the Pacific
rim!  The visual impact of such a wire would probably not
even exist,  as it could be made with such small wire
(say 24 gauge wire) as to not be visible unless it should
catch the sunlight and glint.  To make these "far away"
radio contacts,  the amateur would just choose one
of the 6 higher frequency bands above the 40 meter
band: available would be any of the 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10
meter bands.  All the nations above and US mainland could
be contacted at some time during the day/night with the type of
wire described,  which band would be chosen would depend
upon the other factors I listed for you on Tuesday (the time of 
day,  the status of the upper atmosphere [the so called 
"ionosphere" from which our short wave signals are reflected 
as they propagate about the globe], the power or strength 
of our transmitted signal,  and finally,  the sensitivity of our 
receiving equipment).  The amateur would just select a 
band, tune-up,  and operate.  He could then transmit the 
information output of import to his neighbors during whatever 
emergency had occurred at the time.

Another very low "footprint" antenna which could be used
would be a simple vertical pole element;  just as you might see
on automobiles driving about the island.  In fact,  vertical
antennas are perhaps more useful than the wire for
contacting far away places (this because of technical
reasons having to do with the propagation characteristic
differences between vertical and horizontal antennas).
For use on the HF amateur shortwave bands to communicate
about Hawaii among the islands,  such a vertical element 
would need to be around 33 feet tall to allow 40 meter operation, 
and need not be any greater in diameter than a half-inch or
so (sufficient to keep it from bending,  and it probably
would have to be held in place with light rope,  perhaps
1/8" diameter Dacron rope,  which is black and also
nearly invisible).  Vertical antennas such as this atop
a condominium or apartment building would provide
amateur operators living therein,  access to the islands
and the Pacific rim nations.  Also this sort of vertical antenna
operates satisfactorily just mounted on the ground.

Now these two types of very low visual impact antennas
are not the ones which would be selected by the serious
radio amateur who wants to contact every other nation
on the globe,  and even compete against other amateurs
in the frequent radio contests which are held through out
the year.  But an amateur seriously interested in pursuing
those aspects of the radio hobby would certainly not locate
in a covenant restricted neighborhood!  He would be way
out in the country,  or up on a mountain somewhere.

However, for support to his neighborhood during the sorts
of emergency situations which do occur here in Hawaii
from time to time,  the two types of low visual impact
antennas I have described would certainly be useful and 
satisfactory for the emergency needs of the neighborhood.

Such accommodation by the homeowner or condominium 
association for the radio amateur within their midst would 
be of clear mutual benefit to all in the neighborhood when 
emergencies will arise.

Thank you again for your continuing careful and considered 
efforts about these bills.

James Reid,  KH7M
3465 Lawailoa Lane
Koloa,  HI 96756