[Qcwa] Devil's advocate

[Augie]

Hi Howard, Jeff:

Everything is unique to California.  Even normalcy ("Oh, isn't that UNIQUE!").

As far as hams "who don't understand what 'no outside antennas' means" ... 
nowadays, it means every new development that gets screwed into the ground 
- anywhere.  Or least that what it seems like in Northern Virginia.  So if 
someone wants to make a lot of noise, stir things up, and challenge the 
socialistic practices of people who seem to acquiesce to these  Orwellian 
communities, it's fine by me!

That notwithstanding, if anyone thinks they can shove a piece of wire or 
aluminum in the ground or in the air without considering the consequences, 
then an Elmer needs to put the word out to them (at least the first 
time).  Gooch's Paradox - "RF Gotta Go Somewhere" always holds true.  And 
now the FCC requires us to figure out what the RF consequences are - and 
that ain't all bad.  That means you don't use a common fence boundary for 
that 40 meter cloud burner!  On the other hand, if someone is trying to 
feed it with a Tuna Tin 2, then maybe it'll work ... just maybe.  On the 
third hand, if someone has an amateur radio license and doesn't know how 
antennas work, then ............

As I try to discern the original intent of some of the covenants, it seems 
that they might have been trying to outlaw ugly (oops, I meant 
"inappropriate") physical structures in a neighborhood designed to affect 
one's sensibilities in a positive way.  So an invisible antenna would have 
been OK.  Maybe not. To paraphrase a lawyer I heard once:  If it doesn't 
fit, you must get rid of it.

As for thumbing one's nose at other people in the neighborhood ... is that 
before or after they blow past your house at 15 MPH over the speed limit in 
a monster SUV they can barely control?  Only a matter of who's ox is 
getting gored.  Glad I don't have to make that choice.

The bottom line is - the CC&Rs only live at the acceptance of the majority 
of the people in the neighborhood.  if they can be shown to be 
discriminatory, then they should be struck down.  If the majority of the 
people in the neighborhood disagree, they can be sued.  It's the American 
way.  Doesn't matter if you signed the contract as an expedient.

As for me, I'll give up my 80 meter dipole
when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers ...
or I finish my 80/160 dipole,
whichever comes first.

73,

Augie
KW4AW

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At 13:32 2/16/02 -0500, Howard Cunningham wrote: Hi
>For those that dont know what going through escrow is, it is the similair 
>to going through closing or settlement to purchase real property.  I 
>gather that the escrow process in CA is unique to that state.
>And Jeff, I agree with you about the number of hams that do not understand 
>what "no outside antennas" means.
>hc WD5DBC
>..............................
> >>> Jeffrey D Angus <jangus@socal.rr.com> 02/16/02 01:21PM >>>
>Not that I really want to get things fired up, but I'm curious about
>something.
>When you move into a house with an antenna restriction, and you're aware
>of it (or should be) when you go through escrow, what part of "no outside
>antennas" are you not understanding?
>What I'm seeing is "But, *I* am special, those rules don't apply to me."
>I know, PRB-1 but it doesn't really apply to a contract you sign. It applies
>to cities and is supposed to pre-empt them from flat out outlawing antennas.
>When you put up a stealth antenna with the attitude of "Well, nobody's
>noticed it yet" you're effectively thumbing your nose at everyone else that
>abides by the rules.
>Technically, I like the idea of working with what you have available.
>Such as loading up the guard rails or fence. Or even the flagpole trick. But
>then the question is, what are you doing to protect others from getting 
>shocked
>and or burned from an antenna within reach?
>Jeff
>WA6FWI

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Good Advice From Kids:
"Never Trust A Dog To Watch Your Food"
- Patrick, Age 10
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