hopefully they are going to determine how much of a problem it really is before inventing a solution
Oh, there's a problem all right. Antenna restrictions are preventing newer and younger hams from realizing the benefits of HF operating, causing them to eventually lose interest in the hobby. Inventing a solution is the real problem
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I’ve heard people stay that. How do you know? How many? Who quantified that universe of dejected children?
While not inconceivable there might be a few, neither Congress nor any Federal regulatory agency establishes law or regulation to avoid a perceived problem absent having some grasp of its magnitude. Thus far, no one has even tried to quantify it.
There is nothing to debate here as no one can assess efficacy of any regulatory action without knowing who it affects or the need for it.
No doubt someone will come along with some dubious anecdotal story about some kid who can’t put up the antenna he/she wants. I personally know a few kids in our area who are active despite antenna limitations. It’s all about ingenuity and effort.
Don K1VSK,
No, I can't quantify my statement with hard facts. I'm just stating a pretty logical theory that the proliferation of HOA/CC&R antenna restricted communities all over the nation is hurting HF activity, and eventually could spell the demise of ham radio as we know (or have known) it. Yes, now there are weak signal digital modes like FT8 that can be worked with marginal antennas and low power...basically a computer talking to a computer. But IMO, it doesn't equal the thrill of physically talking or decoding CW with someone halfway around the world.
Facts state that there are more licensed hams in the U.S. now than ever before. All well and good, but how many are active, other than carrying around VHF/UHF HT's? The youth movement for advancement in our hobby is completely stymied. Look at pictures of hams in the magazines and on the internet...90% old farts well over 60 years old (like me, over 70

).
When I started out in HR in 1959, there were no antenna restrictions. I had a Mosley TA-33 on a 25 foot tower on my parents' row house roof in Philadelphia. My teenage friends had similar scenarios all over the city and across the nation. Not happening now in the 21st century. All my buddies back then are now the old farts in the HR pictures. The young blood is sorely missed because their parents live in antenna restricted communities. And even the oldies are downsizing to newer (age-restricted) communities, and can't have the antennas (or any antennas) they had at their previous QTH.
Of course some of the blame can be put on today's technology... cell phones, internet, social media, video games, etc. But those that do become hams don't have the latitude that we had back then. Agreed, "Ingenuity and effort" is paramount to those that are truly interested in advancing through our great hobby. But even that can be daunting and virtually impossible by physical and legal limitations.
Again, this is just my opinion, just as I respect yours. But I think we can all agree that HOA/CC&R antenna restricted communities certainly aren't helping the advancement of our hobby. So far, any attempt at legislation to reach a compromise has fallen flat on its face. And that's a problem.
And now come the naysayers

.......
73, Bob K7JQ