"I was told by HRO to use Universal Radio website to find what I need, and then call HRO...... "

Tell me you're really joking on this one? That sort of response would automatically put them in the "DO NOT BUY FROM HERE" category for me if it is true!!!!

Unless, of course, UR is a subsidiary of HRO which I'm pretty sure it isn't??

In the mid 70's, my dad was told by a Dodge dealer (in WA state) to go look elsewhere at Dodge cars and then come back to them to buy one. They didn't test drive cars because it cost too much for insurance, etc. Dad went across the street and looked at, test drove and eventually bought a Ford. Took it back by the Dodge lot to show the idiot he had missed out on a sure sale that day.

One way to get by without guying a telescoping mast is to only extend each section about 1/2 way out. This essentially shortens a 40' mast to around 20' but if you were to get a ROHN 50' mast, then you should be able to get 25+ ft.  

I have a similar setup for a unguyed 50' mast (appx 35' extended) with a 6M halo mounted on top stabilized to the eve of my shack building. Of course the wind load is small and there is no rotor. Just no room to guy it so I went for the longer overlap in joints vice height & guys.

Now for the caveats:

1) The anchor has to be able to support the load of the mast and antennas like any other unguyed antenna support (obvious).

2) Success is limited to the antenna / rotor load at the top of the mast. You would probably get by with only a TV ant or FM ant but with a rotor, TV and FM ants like you described, even with a shortened approach, guying most likely may need to be implemented for safety.

3) Another obvious approaches would be to install a TV/FM antenna in the attic of the house if possible. A rotor setup could also be employed if enough room.

4) You didn't state your age, but maybe it's time to strike out on your own and get a place out from the HOA entrapments where you can have real towers and antennas. Just a thought.

Good Luck.

Gene W5DQ

No NAZI of any kind, HOA or otherwise, is crossing my threshold UNINVITED (and that's highly unlikely to happen) lest they want to have intense and serious conversation with my two best friends, Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson. I feel sorry for any ham forced to have to buy into that socialistic crap called a HOA just to get a decent place to live. Living there then becoming a ham is one thing but having to 'voluntarily' choose to accept it is totally unacceptable in my book.

I live on property that doesn't have any restrictions of any kind towards antennas, well except the one placed by the FCC due to my location to a runway approach. But even then, I highly doubt I would ever erect any tower that comes close to those height limitations. My neighbors know what they are for and have never ever said a single word negatively about them. But I don't care if they did because I was there first and the towers were up when they moved in.

Anyway, I digress. One thing I did in college living upstairs in an apartment and having an outside antenna mount (not supposed to but no one ever complained as far as I knew) was to paint the structure a light blue to match the sky so that whenever anyone looked up at the structure it blended in quite nicely. In fact, a few time when I happen to glance up when arriving home, I was a bit shocked thinking the antenna was gone. I have seen other verticals painted to match the background scheme and if done correctly, one has to stop and try to see the antenna to notice it. Now interference caused from operating is a total different subject and you have to follow the rules there.

Good Luck to all HOA oppressed hams in your antenna adventures. Remember too, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar so if you have to kiss a few hiney's to get your antenna approved, so be it.

Gene W5DQ

"I wasn't getting anywhere looking up "round PSK thingie" "

Probably the term 'thingie' is a bit too technical for Google.

I have found that MixW has a very efficient CW interface. It will decode about 90% of the CW it hears accurately. Like was said, it depends alot on the sender's fist and RX conditions. You have to tweak it but I have mine finally to a point where it will pick out even the weak signals pretty accurately.

Gene W5DQ

Just to set the record straight, did you mean the Ameritron AL-811 or indeed an AE-811. I haven't heard of the AE version and since I have an AL-811, I usually follow discussions like this for future reference in case I find myself in the other guy's shoes

Gene W5DQ
Ridgecrest, CA

Not sure where you should begin. My first thought would be get rid of the ICOM, but of course, that is just my opinion. I run a AL-811 (3 tube version) with 572B, currently on an older Kenwood TS-940SAT with no problems what so ever. Note that I do use the Ameritron relay/ALC breakout box ARB-704. I have also used this on a Kenwood TS-440SAT (again with the 704 option).

It may have been possible to have enough feedback to damage the xcvr but I would find that puzzling if the AL-811H was run IAW the manual.

Good Luck in figuring out the solution. Post what you find for others to know.

Gene W5DQ