[South Florida DX Association] Dive, Dive, Dive!

[Warren Rothberg]

You guys are all very kind. Let me try to respond to some of your
suggestions. You already know most of the background, but this is now a
personal vendetta between a newly elected Association president and me.

Operating from the car: I've been told that running the coax from the car to
my door/window is a liability hazard, uses common element and won't be
permitted.

MOVE MOVE MOVE: I wish I could. Three years ago, I could have gotten $150K
for my condo. In this market, I'd be lucky (really lucky) to get $50K. Kings
Point (Delray Beach) has over 400 properties for sale (some not yet repaired
from 2004 Jeanne) and this has driven prices through the bottom. Even if I
moved, I'm afraid I couldn't buy much for that and I'm really too old (and
too disabled) to take on a mortgage at my age.

On top of all that, Palm Beach County has an ordinance (which everybody has
been ignoring for the past 10 years I've have my antennas up) on the books
that prohibits mounting of any Amateur Radio antenna unless it is on a
single family residence. I asked the permitting office about apartment
buildings, hi-rises, townhouses, duplex homes, etc. The response was, "Not
permitted". Finally I asked him about "reasonable accommodation" (PRB-1). I
was told that this WAS reasonable accommodation and since THEY interpret the
ordinance, that was their interpretation. Well, of course, you and I both
know that this could be struck down, but my pockets aren't that deep. This
type of case can get VERY expensive.

So, for now, I am planning to put my antennas on my 6' X 14' sun porch,
surrounded on three sides by aluminum. But I ought to have a hell of a
signal into Cuba.

But I did have a dream come true for me recently. Entered in the 2004 CQWW
WPX PH as SOA LP 20m, I placed #1 USA and #3 World. My first #1 and my first
#3. Now I can die in peace <grin>. All with a 7.5 foot vertical.

Kai, what's happening at the March 4th meeting?

Warren



-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Phegley [mailto:bphegley at bellsouth.net] 
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 5:49 PM
To: Warren Rothberg
Subject: Re: [South Florida DX Association] Dive, Dive, Dive!

Warren you have to get out of there... There are plenty of places you 
could move. GL Bruce w4ov

Warren Rothberg wrote:
>
> The attorney for my Association served me with papers today saying 
> that I had 5 days to take down my antennas, or be subject to fines in 
> accordance with our by-laws which, if not paid, will result in a lien 
> on my property. I have legal standing to fight this but not the 
> resources. My screened porch is considered "limited common element" 
> and the by-laws preclude any antennas there as well. I'll have to 
> figure out a way to mount my antennas indoors. So I'm off the air for now.
>
> Warren, W4WR
>