[Qcwa] Devil's advocate

[Tom Repstad]

I feel that the concept of no "outside antennas" is an affront to humanity!!!
Let's ban people who are too fat, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ugly cars, etc. They
don't complain about telephone poles, or electric towers... but, the "condo
association" or whatever you want to call it, really "owns" the land and it is
their right to convene any covenants they want. If you don't read the contract
it's your fault. Caveat Emptor!

Personally, I'd never live anywhere I couldn't have a decent antenna farm. I
recently had a close brush witht the zoning board... their question was: "It is
taller than a silo?"  .. I said nope (some of those silos are 75' tall,
unfortunately my tower is only 50' tall.)... so they left me alone.

This incident was promulgated by my neighbor, who had been burning her trash and
letting the smoke and stench drift to my home for years illegally!!! It really
pissed me off that she would then complain about my tower right after I finally
managed to put one up. I should have reported her to the state/fed  EPA, but
being a considerate neighbor (even thou she wasn't).. I didn't.

But seriously folks, PRB-1 is essential, antenna towers are like fire trucks or
ambulances, everybody hates it when the sirens are blaring as they go by their
house at 2AM, but when you really need one you thank God somebody had the good
sense to be sure is was there when you needed it.

The ARRL and hams in general really need to embark on a serious publicity
campaign to inform the public of the benefits of having ham's in their
community. Our local club has a good (but could be better) relationship with our
local government, police, etc. Maybe then, these antenna covenants could be
modified in the "public interest"  :o)

--Tom
K1VG

Jeffrey D Angus wrote:

> 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
>
> --
> "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
>  safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin
>
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