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Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
from
stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk
on
August 2, 2009
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Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by KI4SDY on August 2, 2009
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His neighbors probably would not like the Washington monument either. That's what old people do, complain! Most of their "interference" issues sound impossible. They will lie to get rid of the tower. Nice set up though! He just needs a few more antennas on it. Maybe some microwave dishes pointed at the biggest complainer's houses with nuclear warning emblems on them.
I would recommend adjusting the sprinklers for those people who come to his door to cuss him out. I have a set up called "panic plant" for undesirable visitors at my house. It has a 50 watt police siren installed in the silk plant basket base. One flip of the switch and they go running from the alcove at my front door with their hands on their ears. That's what they get for ignoring the "no trespassing" signs. I never have to use it twice!
Why isn't his lawyer claiming exemption under federal law? There is no mention of any of that. He might need a better informed lawyer before this is over.
He should have checked the local regulations and the temperment of the regulators before he bought the house. In other words, look before you leap!
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by KG4RUL on August 2, 2009
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Will everyone who thinks an Amateur Radio tower is 'unsightly', please gather at the nearest cell phone tower to admire it's beauty.
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Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by K1CJS on August 2, 2009
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Its simply amazing how many idiots think they can control what goes on in a neighbors yard, and how many localities--both here in the US and abroad--let them do it.
That tower is on a trailer, it can be quickly removed, and it is NOT a permanent fixture, no matter who says it is.
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by W5ER on August 2, 2009
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KI4SDY typed "Why isn't his lawyer claiming exemption under federal law? There is no mention of any of that. He might need a better informed lawyer before this is over"
Do you think it might be a little bit different there, I believe this is from the "the land down under", OFCOM etc. No PB1 there.
73 Ed
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Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by W6JAK on August 2, 2009
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"Others claimed it marred their views of the surrounding landscape and made a loud ‘howling’ noise when the wind blew through it – keeping them awake at night."
Priceless.
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Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga'
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by KG4TKC on August 2, 2009
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This nice tower's current location in the UK would put it out of the reach of the long arm of Federal Law and the FCC.
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by KG4TKC on August 2, 2009
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However,I do wish I had it in Kentucky,,:)
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Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by KB1QXR on August 2, 2009
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"Mr Dodson, who runs an amateur radio sales website, said: "I would have been happy to work with my neighbours to solve their problems – but they have not taken the right approach." "
Sounds like annoying neighbors in the UK are much the same as annoying neighbors in the USA- they will whine and complain and sue and file grievances and call the cops but UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WHATSOEVER will they just walk across the street and talk to you about their problem like civilized people...
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by AE6RO on August 2, 2009
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I dunno, if it is on a trailer it might topple over in a stiff breeze... Better to have neighbors as friends rather than enemies. If at all possible.
Besides, what kind of DX can be worked without sunspots? 73, John
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by WA6ITF on August 2, 2009
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I love it! A 60' tower with a rotor and tri-bander as what amounts to a trailer mounted mobile antenna.
Win or loose you really have to give the guy a gold star for being creative!
B-T-W: Does anyone know his call?
de
WA6ITF
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by WY3X on August 2, 2009
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HOAs are the problem. We had a guy in a nearby development who bought a large boat. His HOA made him build a fence to conceal it. A few years later, he bought a larger boat, and the fence wasn't high enough to conceal it. The HOA wanted him to tear down the original fence and build a new one high enough to hide the boat. He refused, so the HOA had his cable TV disconnected! And threatened to disconnect his electricity and water if he didn't build a bigger fence or get rid of the boat! HOAs just have WAY too much power and the principals have WAY too much time on their hands, as evidenced by worrying too much about what other people do on their own property. I'd NEVER live in an HOA-ruled (and I do mean RULED!) neighborhood! -KR4WM
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by KG4RUL on August 2, 2009
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Our HOA says I can build a shed BUT, I have to build a fence that completely hides it BUT, they limit the height of a backyard fence to 6 feet. So I guess if I build a shed it will have a very low roof.
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by K7CB on August 2, 2009
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"I'd NEVER live in an HOA-ruled (and I do mean RULED!) neighborhood!"
The problem is - that's getting harder and harder to do.
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by K9FON on August 2, 2009
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Pi@@ on them old complainers!!! Good grief! I just read about some people in a housing addition complaining about a local railroad storing cars behind some new houses near Elkhart, Ind. Boo Hoo! If you dont like it MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, AWAY!! We also had a contractor a few years ago sued a hog farmer because the housing adition he was building was too close to the farm. The outcome was sad. The farmer lost and his 100+ year old farm was developed into more cookie cutter houses, PUKE! Plus, we also have had some home owners try to sue the Ind Dept of Trasnportation because they were installing concrete sound barriers along I-69 near Fort Wayne behind some house to keep the highway noise down. First off, the home owners bitched about the traffic noise and now they are bitching because the "ugly" sound barriers are going up!!!!!!!!!!!!
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by N3OX on August 2, 2009
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"Besides, what kind of DX can be worked without sunspots? 73, John "
Plenty, if you have a tribander on a tall crankup tower!
No, it's no sunspot peak working 5 watt Indonesian stations on 10m phone, but I hear plenty of DX even in the sunspot trough.
Lesotho and Saudi Arabia (worked 7Z1HL, didn't need the 7P) on 40 CW tonight, loud VK and E5 stations coming in on 20m PSK and SSB. Heck, I even heard an E5 on 15m.
And the low bands are good. It's August and thunderstormy and I still heard VQ9LA with Q5 copy on 80m CW. You don't need sunspots for 80m to work.
You can't work the whole wide world with an apartment balcony whip right now like you can when the sunspots are blazing, but it's not like there's no DX to be had... and if you've got a big antenna tower I'm sure it's all the better.
I don't have a big tower. I've got a vertical for 30m and down and a 20m Moxon on a rotating mast. They're good antennas but they're not amazing antennas, and I still find DX.
What I'd probably get out of a big tower is finally hearing one of these darn V8 stations that get spotted and I can never work, or even hear. That *will* have to wait, maybe, until 15m comes back over the pole ;-)
73
Dan
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by KB1QXR on August 2, 2009
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"Plus, we also have had some home owners try to sue the Ind Dept of Trasnportation because they were installing concrete sound barriers along I-69 near Fort Wayne behind some house to keep the highway noise down."
We had a ton of people like that where I used to live. I just don't understand it.
Because one day they're complaining that putting a cell tower near their houses will lower their property value and blah blah blah. The cell company offers to have it hidden in part of a church so as to be 100% invisible, this was shot down due to 'radiation concerns' even though the cell company provided numerous surveys showing that it was safe.
Then after the cell tower is shot down, it's the SAME PEOPLE complaining that their cell phones have crap service where they live and blaming those 'damn useless cell phone companies and their crappy service'.
I mean I know our current science education in schools is pathetic, but people DO realize that cell phones need a tower to work, don't they?
I just do not understand some people...
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by VU2VKU on August 3, 2009
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History repeats itself.
>>>>>>>>
The cell company offers to have it hidden in part of a church so as to be 100% invisible, this was shot down due to 'radiation concerns' even though the cell company provided numerous surveys showing that it was safe.
<<<<<<<<
This exact same thing is happening over here in Cary, NC. At the moment, the Cell provider is in the process
of preparing a study and sending out notices to the
patrons of a daycare facility that is close by about
the level of radiation in the vicinity. I think one
can guess which way that is going to go inspite of
the town council conditionally approving the setup.
krish
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by KB1QXR on August 3, 2009
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"I think one can guess which way that is going to go inspite of the town council conditionally approving the setup."
Yup- no cell tower for you. Some hysterical parent is going to start screaming "THEY'RE GOING TO BEAM RADIATION AT OUR CHILDREN! PLEASE GOD THINK OF THE CHILDREN!" etc etc and that will be the end of it.
In other news see http://miscellanea.wellingtongrey.net/2007/05/27/the-truth-about-wireless-devices/
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by AE6RO on August 3, 2009
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"And the low bands are good."
I haven't been on the air lately except 6 meters and lately I haven't heard much. Not even net control for the 6 meter AM net I used to get on. QTH is Long Beach, CA. Something like 55 miles as the crow flies.
Most people assume the sunpots will come back; though they tarry, they will come. In case they don't, 160 and possibly 80 will be all that's left of the ionosphere.
Tried to put up a 30 meter 1/4 wave vert on the roof but it exceeded our 35 ft. height limit by about eight feet. I saw the inspector checking it out so I took it down. 73, John
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Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by N5LRZ on August 3, 2009
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If the readers of the piece would have looked up the news paper name on Yahoo or Google they would have seen that the news was from the UK and not the US.
They may and probably do have different rules and regs than we do and perhaps an entirely different legal system.
Also it was stated in the piece that the person put up the thing without proper authorization. EVEN IN the US we have many a town and county that requires a building or construction permit in order to construct or errect certain structures. Failure to adhere to these legal constructin requirments can result in city and county governments ordering one to take the illegal structure down simply for lack of proper permit.
Amateur Radio is not a constitutional right
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by KB1QXR on August 3, 2009
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N5LRZ- I don't think you read the article either.
The ham in question specifically says that the tower is mounted on a trailer, not hard-installed, so he believes it is a mobile device that doesn't fall within the various notification and permitting laws.
The neighbors say it's there much of the time so it may as well be permanent, and are going after him for not following the proper procedure for setting up permanent structures.
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by KG4GPJ on August 3, 2009
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KI4SDY wrote:
"Why isn't his lawyer claiming exemption under federal law? There is no mention of any of that. He might need a better informed lawyer before this is over."
Perhaps his lawyer is not "claiming exemption under federal law" because this case arose in England, not the US! Despite the best efforts of the current Administration, US "Federal" law has not quite extended all the way to Great Britain!
Actually, regulations on this sort of thing are even rougher over there than here.
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by KG4GPJ on August 3, 2009
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KB1QXR wrote:
"I mean I know our current science education in schools is pathetic, but people DO realize that cell phones need a tower to work, don't they?
I just do not understand some people... "
No, they don't understand that. I'd be willing to wager that a sizeable portion of the "unwashed masses" (at least those with cell phones) think the cell phone is simply a landline without a wire, or, at best, like a cordless phone tied to a landline.
The fact that cell phones operate on full duplex RF technology is totally lost upon them. Perhaps the schools' science program ought to a have a segment added entitled "Practical Science that You Use Everday But Don't Know It!" Maybe some retired hams could help teach it.
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by KB1QXR on August 3, 2009
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KG4GPJ-
I think it depends on the person.
I know I've said to a few people something to the effect of "you do realize that a cell phone uses a RADIO, right?" to which they think for a second and then say "oh yeah, i guess it does, that makes sense doesn't it? I never thought about it that way...".
Same thing with WiFi, the electronics have become so 'appliance-ized' that nobody even bothers to think about how they work. What's important is not that the thing in their hand has over 100x the computing power of an Apollo-era spacecraft, or that 20 years ago you MIGHT be able to fit that much storage (32gb) in ONLY ONE large building. No, what matters is that you can download iFart for only 99c (with built in whoopee cushion mode!)
But at the same time, I think most people (even the ones who don't think about the fact that cell phones use radio) realize that a cell phone needs a tower. They may not have a clue how it works, but they do (in my experience) seem to understand that the towers are there to make the cell phones work.
Or perhaps like my "you do realize that a cell phone has a radio" they realize it but never think that far ahead...
Either way it's sad, and beyond pathetic. I fully agree that a "practical science you already use" course would be an excellent addition to a middle school or high school curriculum.
Until then, I guess it's up to us to keep asking "you do realize that a cell phone uses a RADIO, right?"
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by KI4SDY on August 3, 2009
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All things being considered (and the fact that I overlooked that incident was in the socialist democracy of England), if it was me, I would remove the trailered antenna to prove that it was not permanently installed, until the hearing was over. That pretty much pulls the rug from under the opposing side. His lawyer, no matter where he is from, should have seen to that. If not, then again, he needs a better informed lawyer, no matter where the case is taking place.
As far as ham radio being a consitutional right, to me, it is a form of free speech and I treat it as such, no matter what some brainwashed socialist says. Our rights were derived from English common law and then expanded. If you don't believe that, then come over to the house and try to take my antennas down.
He still needs to re adjust those sprinklers to keep the senile away.
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by K9FON on August 3, 2009
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My in-laws just had a cell tower installed on a small piece of thier property a few miles noth of us. They own like 500+ acres of farm land and had a little corner lot that was not being used, so the cell company installed the tower. So now they get a nice little chunk of $$ each month from the cell company that owns the tower. So you will never hear me complain about a cell tower!!!!
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga
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by W5DQ on August 4, 2009
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"...but people DO realize that cell phones need a tower to work, don't they?"
No, they don't!! Most people have NO idea how a cellphone works ... nor do they care. They know they pay a monthly service charge therefore the cell phone provider should have service to their phone NO MATTER WHAT or WHERE they want to use it. Most people using cellphones in large metropolitan areas have no idea that there are parts of the country (especially here in the Western US) that have almost NO cell coverage or service whatsoever except for a few 'sweet' spots that happen to exist. The cellphone companies will show you maps that have lots of pretty colors and such but it just isn't always that simple. I admit it is getting much better than in the past but still get very far off the Interstate in say California Desert, Arizona or New Mexico and you'll see exactly what I am talking about. I spent the better part of 2 days off roading in the Four Corners area of AZ and NM a few years ago without nary a bar of service on my cellphone. However I could hit a few repeaters with 50+W of 2M FM and of course I had HF in the truck.
The problem with most people today is they have no idea how much of anything technical works. They are the ultimate consumer totally at the whim of corporate greed and misguidance. Companies put out technology at a pace that unless you are in a technical field and follow the trends, your left at the station and the train is long gone. That is where amateur radio should shine but even the newer hams are not learning the radio technology at the pace they were years ago. But all in all, I would say that hams are the more technical saavy of the population in general.
Before the rocks and flames start being hurled, the preceeding is my personal opinion therefore it cannot be judged right or wrong and no one has the authority to state such. It may however not be agreeable to someone elses opinion and if that is the case, they have the right to post their opinion.
Gene W5DQ
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Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by NC4TB on August 4, 2009
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I believe his neighbors were already GA GA. No telling what would happen if he were to install a Big Bertha mast. It reminds me of the company that implodes buildings using small carefully placed charges of explosives. Public announcement was made of the pending blast, and sure enough, people were complaining about cracked foundations and brick walls from it. Problem was, the blast had been postponed and had not yet occured. Funny how folks can convince themselves of problems that either have not happened yet or don't exhist.
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Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by G0GQK on August 6, 2009
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The procedure in Britain is that an application MUST be made to the planning department of the local town or city. This ruling applies to everything, there are no exceptions, and this includes radio masts used by radio amateurs.
The radio amateur in this case attempted to avoid the planning procedure by maintaing that the mast was not a fixed structure, it is sited in what could be called a temporarary site, but the fact remains. Any structure not included in the list of structures which are permissable, some sheds as an example. must be approved by the planning department after consultation with neighbours, which our friends in the US will agree is a democratic process. If the neighbours object to the structure, which includes house extensions, windows , fences etc, approval will not be given.
G0GQK
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by N4UE on August 6, 2009
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I have had serious probles like this and they did NOT turn out well. My ex and I bought 5 lovely acres here in North Florida in a 'subdivision' that had NO Home Owners Assn and NO rules.
There was already one amateur with a large HF antenna.
We did our research well. I contacted the County Building and Zoning Officials, who assured me there was NO restrictions against Amateut towers. I had their 'permission' to procede in writing.
I had very detailed plans from the Rohn website, etc.
Anyway, the 'neighbors' objected and sued us.
This is the crux of this message...
"Anyone can sue anyone else, for anything".
Yes, we won. However, it cost me >$5K in legal fees. And my ex insisted I remove the towers to 'keep peace'. You know what I thought about that!!!
Bottom line, a divorce and the loss of my life's savings, my 401K, and my 'dream shack and workshop"....
I moved 5 miles down the road, to a rural setting and have NO neighbors.
Believe it or not, I purchased 85' of Rohn 25G from a neighbor and when I put it up on my proprty, he was one of the butt plugs that objected.
Yes, I 'could' have countersued, but my Lawyer said it was a lost cause.
Before we went to court, we had death threats, being forced off the road, obscene phone calls, etc.
Yes, I am ex-military, and yes, I did cary my legal .45 cal Kimber....... And yes, the Sheriff told me to take whatever means 'necessary' to protect my family.
The neighbor ham? He sided with the majority because he wanted to appease them! His tower is a 'crank-up', so he can "hide it" when necessary!!!
So much for the 'persuit of happiness and personal freedoms'.
Bottom line? DO NOT bother trying to 'fight' neighbors who are anti-ham. There is PLENTY of land where you can enjoy yourself and forget the 'nuts'...
As one person stated.."old people (especially with $)have nothing better to do than look out the window and start trouble". How true.
ron
N4UE
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by KI4SDY on August 7, 2009
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If our forefathers had given in to tyrants, we would not be living in America. I choose freedom!
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by KI4SDY on August 7, 2009
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If your wife is not going to stand with you, then you need a new wife. The antenna issue was obviously an excuse to terminate a long standing problem that finally resolved itself. Personally, I believe your better off with out them (wifes, not antennas). You will have more money for ham gear and guns!
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by KI4SDY on August 8, 2009
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By not countersuing for a frivolous law suit, your neighbors learned nothing. They won everything and you lost everything. You needed a better lawyer and you should have negotiated the countersuit in your original contract with him for the $5,000.
On the plus side, your domineering wife is gone. Freedom at last!
As far as your life savings; if your are miserable, what good is money?
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RE: Neighbors Say Giant Mast Drives Them 'Radio Ga Ga':
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by KB1QXR on August 8, 2009
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W5DQ-
I did an informal survey of a few friends. Granted most of my friends are pretty intelligent, are technology users, but don't know much about how any of it works.
the most common answer was something similar to "it talks to the tower somehow, maybe using radio waves? and from there the tower talks to a satellite..." *sigh* I suppose if my intelligent friends can get as far as 'there's a tower involved' some morons probably couldnt... sad.
N4UE-
Stories like yours make me sick. However I have to agree with the responses-
if your ex insists you remove towers after winning a fight to have them, she obviously wasn't at all supportive. If any SO of mine was so into something that they were willing to go to court over it, I might not agree with it, or if I really hated it I might not help them fight for it, but no way I'd backstab them after they won. That's just common decency in a relationship.
If she ended up divorcing you over the tower, then she was never the right one for you to begin with. By that I don't mean that a wife has to be ham-friendly, but rather any girl that cares so little for you that a damn antenna can turn her away, well, you're probably better off without. As KI4SDY said, if it wasn't the tower it would have been something else.
That neighbor ham is a coward, plain and simple. If he's willing to take up a fight against a fellow ham, for no other reason than to appease unreasonable people, well that makes him a coward.
Sometimes I seriously wonder about the future of our species...
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