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Speak Out: HR2160: A Toothless Tiger?

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AA4HA on 2010-03-21
I do not think that HR2160 will make the slightest difference for the folks who are dealing with CC&R's. Unfortunately some folks feel quite repressed by these regulations and are staking their hopes on any piece of legislation that "may" give them an opportunity to get out from under these covenants.

I think that you need to exercise your freedom of choice and to move. At some point in time you signed a document indicating that you would obey these rules. Just as you made a selection on where to live based upon good schools, an easy commute, low crime or aesthetics you should have considered what would happen when you could not put up an antenna.

I think that neighborhoods with restrictive CC&R's look sterile and just a little too postcard perfect. I cannot fault the folks who are looking for exactly that sort of living. There are a lot of people who want the predictability and straight edged perfection of boxes painted the exact same shade of brown with the same manicured lawns and trees.

Living in the wilds with a pot holed gravel driveway and kudzu covering the road frontage would not be for everyone. I mow (brush-hog) my yard every few weeks when I feel like it. If I want to put up a 100 foot antenna tower there is no-one who would even see it. Pizza delivery does not happen out here, it is a half-hour drive into town to do grocery shopping and if I had to work in a major city it is 75 miles away.

It would need to be a separate piece of legislation that would local trump CC&R's and invalidate or modify their contracts. I would expect some municipalities to then pass zoning laws restricting certain types of activities in residential neighborhoods. If you want to be given the stamp of an "essential means of communications in times of disaster" there is something else you will give up.

People fight when they perceive that their property values may take a hit. They may also think that letting the person down the street put up an antenna on their roof takes away from the character of the neighborhood. You just have to watch a few hours of the "Home and Garden Network" to get the feel for what non-hams think when they are looking for a home to buy.

KD8GTP on 2010-03-14
My thoughts:
I really don't think we can consider amateur radio as a means of emergency communications in this age. Yes, years ago it was a very important communications tool during emergencies. Now most emergency groups have their own systems to provide communications and don't need to rely on amateur operators anymore. Amateur radio has now become a "hobby". Much like model trains, collecting stamps, etc. I think most of the people who have chosen this as a hobby do not intend/desire to provide emergency communications, but choose to contest, chat, and just enjoy making contacts. This is unfortunate as the "emergency communications" aspect of this hobby is what has gotten us, and allowed us to retain the frequencies we now have. A person would be hard pressed to challenge a HOA on the grounds that they need a tower to provide emergency communications when the majority of the operators time is spent on the "hobby" aspect, chatting, contests,etc. In time I think the FCC will see, if they haven't already that new technology has pushed amateur radio almost entirely into the "hobby" category. I don't think any of the new/young people joining this hobby are doing it to provide emergency communications, they are simply picking up a hobby. What we need to do now is to keep a low profile and not cause the government to start really digging and asking a lot of questions. Because if they do they will find that the little emergency communications that amateur radio does supply is not worth the headache of providing these free frequencies to all of us for the "hobby".
It's sad but if you take a good look at the big picture it is true.

Thx

KZ4B on 2010-02-25
I live in a very nice--but older neighborhood
that had "basic" CCR's like minimum square
footage and building restrictions for houses-
-but did NOT address outside antennas. This
has also worked for some of my ham friends in
other similar neighborhoods. Otherwise, you
need to go the stealth-route (wire antennas
in trees or flagpole vertical--if allowed)or
"schmooze" the Home Owner's Association if
possible. If that fails and you can't get out
with an attic antenna-you need to invest in a
nice mobile rig.

WD0BWM on 2009-12-17
I thought, and obviously I'm incorrect in my thought, that HR2160 was to be worded to make it more difficult for CC&R's to be worded so as to stop residents from have "reasonable" means to communicate via ham radio. In other words there is to be wiggle room to allow ham antennas.

JETABLE on 2009-12-14
This morning my farts are especially aromatic and flavorful. Robust, pungent, with mild egg and soft cheese overtones. High in the rich tangy sulfur bouquet, but not entirely overpowering. I simply love the way my buttocks vibrate, as I lay here in bed and let loose several cubic feet of methane and precious fragrant gases. My bowels and sinuses rejoice at the orchestra of intoxicating flavor. Oh, this pure sinful joy. This delicate smell, blissfully trapped beneath the sheets, awaiting a quick sampling with a deft lift of the soft smooth satin. Oh, the sensual and mischievous pleasure of it all

N5TGL on 2009-12-13
"Don't like where you live? Move. That IS the solution. "

No, it's not.

W5HTW on 2009-12-13
But you are wrong, KT0DD. The reason HOAs exist is to protect the homeowner. Not to violate his rights. They keep you from letting your garage fall down in the driveway, from putting up an unsightlyi 8 foot tall chain link fence, from parking junk cars on your lawn, from raising a dozen dogs in a kennel out back, from building a ramshackle 'second story' to your house, from putting up an oil drilling rig in your back yard, from building and testing race car engines in your drive, from parking your RV at the curb and blocking views, from raising two dozen cats under your front porch -- and a thousand other things.

They protect those who have invested in a quiet and clean neighborhood and who pay dues to keep it that way. They insist you mow your grass when it is taller than 3 inches, that you rake the leaves, that you pick up windblown trash.

That is precisely what the HOA is for. To protect. You as well as others.

That seems so incredibly clear I just can't imagine why there are some people who don't get it. I can't understand how there are people who think 'they' should be exempt, but still want the protection of the HOA. 'I'm exempt." "I can do what I want," but I sure don't want the guy next door buildng racing cars and running up the engines. I don't want him to have a motorcycle club in his garage. But I want my tower. And I deserve it, because I am "ME." I do not need rules to govern MY life. I only need rules to govern the rest of those idiots who live around me. BUT I AM EXEMPT.

No, you are NOT exempt. You are in the same HOA the rest of them are. The FCC doesn't care. YOU signed the agreement, not the FCC.

Stuck with it? Sorry. It was your choice.

Don't like where you live? Move. That IS the solution.

Ed

WA1RNE on 2009-12-11

This "tiger" has been gumming since day one.

Once the BS back scratching is over with in the House and Senate, everyone will realize this "bill" is all about the last bullet - bypassing CC&R's - and has nothing to do insuring amateur communications in emergencies.

K5END on 2009-12-11
Based on the nature of the recent comments I'd have thought we are under a full moon. But, the calendar says otherwise.

CBISBACK on 2009-12-11
KT0DD Wrote"
"It's BUSINESS. I think mafia hit men say the same thing when they are breaking kneecaps or are about to shoot you too."

Exactly when was the last time you read about the Mafia breaking someone's kneecaps or even shooting someone?

If you said the southern boarder drug cartels I'd agree. But the Mafia went legitimate years ago, they're now called politicians and Homeowner's Associations.

I think this forum has run out of steam with KT0DD's Repressed Emotions comment. Next we'll be discussing repressed memories.

Ciao..

P.S. I think the line went: "it's not personal Sonny, it's strictly business". Shortly thereafter, followed by several gunshots at Louis' Restaurant.

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