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Author Topic: Anyone busted by HOA?  (Read 1308 times)

W8GEL

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Anyone busted by HOA?
« on: August 31, 2020, 09:44:01 AM »

I know this forum is filled with noble efforts to disguise or camouflage antennas in HOA restricted communities.  Interested in hearing from anyone who has gotten busted by the HOA in spite of those efforts.  I'm sure enforcement varies depending on the HOA and location.  Anything learned from the experience?

Gary W8GEL
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K7JQ

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2020, 11:09:40 AM »

I learned not to ask for permission ;).

Fourteen years ago, I applied to the Architectural Committee for permission to erect a multi-band vertical (like a Hy-Gain AV-640), about 24' in height. I received a rather nasty "Cease and Desist" letter from the HOA attorney. Seeking other alternatives (without asking permission), I wound up putting up a very stealthy screwdriver antenna outside, and some back-up dipoles in the attic. To date, over 285 countries worked and some decent contest scores, not a peep from anyone.

Other than that, I never had any problems with the HOA. I hope this topic doesn't draw any off the cuff remarks from the anti-HOA crowd. If it does, it won't serve any purpose, and eventually will be locked like all the others ::).
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K1VSK

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2020, 01:40:55 PM »

It will be interesting to see how many actually have this problem or whether it’s so limited as to be a myth.

Our HOA worked with me to develop standards by which hams could erect antennas.  Although most never asked or wanted an outside antenna.
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K7JQ

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2020, 02:12:11 PM »

Obviously, every HOA is different. But there are some CC&R's that state..."no antennas permitted unless approved by the Architectural Committee" (like mine), which would *imply* that you might have a shot. It's only a *problem* if your request is denied, or you get busted for erecting something without permission, and told to remove it. Great if your HOA works with you.

I'm thinking W8GEL might have gotten busted, asking if others have, and what they've done about it. At least that's the way I interpret his post, and provided my answer/experience.

Bob K7JQ
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W8GEL

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2020, 04:20:28 PM »

No, I have not been busted, just testing the waters.
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AC2EU

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2020, 05:12:35 PM »

No, I have not been busted, just testing the waters.

Are you already neck-deep in HOA waters? -or thinking about taking the dive?

W8LV

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2020, 11:10:59 PM »

I don't live in an HOA.

But I am known for Liberating my Fellow Ham from the tentacles of HOA Occupied Territory: As a Matter of Fact, I consider it my Patriotic and Civic Duty. I even occasionally handle a "consultation" when I'm on vacation.

As far as I know, no HOA has busted any antenna installation that I had a hand in.

This could be for three reasons:

1)They simply weren't detected. As most of the operations that I have been associated with are "usually" running QRP means "usually" not getting into other equipment. These are by no means (even when they have means) "Big Gun" Ops.

2) Someone didn't do something stupid or talk. This is a realm where Ham Tags on the vehicle are a bad idea, and a P.O. Box is a Good Idea.

3) Some HOAs appear (to me) to take a bit of a lassez faire approach: They may simply feel that if no complaint has been lodged, there isn't a problem, because statistically speaking, some of them MUST know.

Posts get locked when Certain Little Pro HOA Crybabies get them locked and at the end of the day, they're just punks: It's an underhanded way to quell any difference of opinion with their own. Not too suprisingly? They cry "Wa Wa I'm a Victim" when their arguments have been soundly defeated by logic.
They simply lack a pair, whereas those of us who won't put up with HOA Nonsense DO... Really Big Ones, too!

The Stealth Antenna installations? They CONTINUE, and it will remain that way.

73 DE W8LV BILL
« Last Edit: August 31, 2020, 11:13:14 PM by W8LV »
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K7JQ

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2020, 05:30:20 AM »

I don't live in an HOA.
But I am known for Liberating my Fellow Ham from the tentacles of HOA Occupied Territory

 Posts get locked when Certain Little Pro HOA Crybabies get them locked and at the end of the day, they're just punks: It's an underhanded way to quell any difference of opinion with their own. Not too suprisingly? They cry "Wa Wa I'm a Victim" when their arguments have been soundly defeated by logic.
They simply lack a pair, whereas those of us who won't put up with HOA Nonsense DO... Really Big Ones, too!

73 DE W8LV BILL

Bill,

We all know you're anti-HOA, and that's OK...you're certainly entitled to your opinion. But you don't live in an HOA, and the op was asking a question of those that DO, and got busted for having an antenna. He didn't ask why people DIDN'T get busted.

It's talk like the above - "crybabies, punks, lack a pair" - that gets threads locked.

I'm trying to be civil here. Please don't stoke the fire with comments that don't pertain to the question. Let those that got busted answer the question.

73,  Bob K7JQ
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WW5F

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #8 on: September 01, 2020, 05:45:47 AM »

When I was in Florida, I clamped a screwdriver antenna to a four foot wire fence in my backyard that wasn't visible by anyone except a couple of neighbors.  Within a month I had an HOA Nazi come to my house, knock on my door on a Friday evening and told me I had to remove it.  I snapped to attention, saluted and said, "Yes Sir!  Will that be all Sir?"  Did an about face, smartly marched with facing movements to my tool box and then to the antenna and removed it within 15 minutes.

I then moved out of Florida.

That was my one and only experience being busted by the HOA.
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K7JQ

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #9 on: September 01, 2020, 06:43:27 AM »

I don't understand HOA hams who want to have Federal legislation to counter an agreement they signed up to live by.
IMO , it was a waste of ARRL resouces to pursue this. HOA living is a CHOICE!

All I can say is; " always read a contract before signing".

If you become disaffected by HOA "tyrany"... then MOVE!

Otherwise you will be condemned to stealth and QRP and probably rightfully so!

And I don't understand another response that has nothing to do with the original question. At least W5UAA answered the question with his response...he got busted, removed his screwdriver, and MOVED.

That's all the op wanted to know ;).
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AC2EU

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #10 on: September 01, 2020, 06:53:51 AM »

I don't understand HOA hams who want to have Federal legislation to counter an agreement they signed up to live by.
IMO , it was a waste of ARRL resouces to pursue this. HOA living is a CHOICE!

All I can say is; " always read a contract before signing".

If you become disaffected by HOA "tyrany"... then MOVE!

Otherwise you will be condemned to stealth and QRP and probably rightfully so!

And I don't understand another response that has nothing to do with the original question. At least W5UAA answered the question with his response...he got busted, removed his screwdriver, and MOVED.

That's all the op wanted to know ;).

You seem to be a "happy camper".
What kind of setup are YOU using at your HOA community?

K7JQ

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #11 on: September 01, 2020, 07:26:18 AM »

I don't understand HOA hams who want to have Federal legislation to counter an agreement they signed up to live by.
IMO , it was a waste of ARRL resouces to pursue this. HOA living is a CHOICE!

All I can say is; " always read a contract before signing".

If you become disaffected by HOA "tyrany"... then MOVE!

Otherwise you will be condemned to stealth and QRP and probably rightfully so!

And I don't understand another response that has nothing to do with the original question. At least W5UAA answered the question with his response...he got busted, removed his screwdriver, and MOVED.

That's all the op wanted to know ;).

You seem to be a "happy camper".
What kind of setup are YOU using at your HOA community?

Read my Reply#1 above, and check out my qrz.com page. I answered his question, and have had my fingers crossed for 14 years ;). I knew what I was getting into, and made a decision.  I'm fortunate to have kind of a concealed lot, with a hill behind my house. Every situation/installation is different. We all have choices.
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WW5F

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2020, 09:55:57 AM »

I'm now in my 13th year of my current HOA with a very direct and simply stated rule about antennas in the CC&Rs.

I have not been busted as of yet.

Edit:  I did not ask either.
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K1VSK

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2020, 01:47:20 PM »

Before amending our rules to allow antennas, the HOA had a generic prohibition on all types/sizes. No one in the community of over 20,000 was ever ‘busted’ although some had at least one. That despite active property compliance by our HOA for other violations.

Since amending the rules to allow antennas of a defined height limit, no one has been ‘busted’ for a non-conforming antenna.

We’re getting crowded.
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W8LV

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Re: Anyone busted by HOA?
« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2020, 04:19:22 PM »

Responding to all three:

K1VSK might place a copy of his HOA's amended regulations here for all to see: It would be a good thing to do, to help others who propose to replace their HOA's Draconian Boiler Plate Language.

As far a The Other Gentleman here: I have been Civil to you, Sir.

I am responding in behalf of those who I have been involved with first hand. While some might be foolish, I doubt that most would want to post here, where a Google Search exposes them instantly to their HOA, or perhaps a spiteful vengeful neighbor.

Cutting off our access to antennas as hams is akin to cutting off our air. This is so in HOAs as well as our municipalities, where (in spite of the Municipalities Lobby, yes they have those too: Council of Mayors, etc.) PRB-1 has been the Law of the Land for many years now: Decades. The prediction of the sky falling did not occur then or since, nor will it when HOAs are removed entirely from the process. You can can argue all you want about an owner who signed an agreement, but not HIS KID WHO COMES ALONG LATER, with an interest in ham radio, who then can't do it from his house. This DISCOURAGES Ham Radio. It's in direct opposition to part 97 (specifically Part 97.1: C, D, AND E!) that ENCOURAGES Ham Radio in our Land.

Height and set-back rules still apply as this is common sense, but the OUTRIGHT DENIAL of an antenna as it stands (no pun intended ;-)) is not acceptable nor will it be tolerated until the change comes, which it will:
My name/call is well known in our community for precisely this, and I will continue to help my Fellow Amateurs to place antennas so that they can enjoy their avocation in their pursuit of happiness, which hurts no one. That's the Line in the Sand, That's How It Is, despite any locking of posts or other such pettiness.

I feel we should all be hams first, and work to promote and not diminish Amateur Radio. It's not merely a Hobby, but an Avocation and a very important National (and International) Asset that must be fostered, and not destroyed by petty, arbitrary, and draconian rules no matter where they come from.

Finally, the other Gentleman (Sorry I can't see his name or callsign from this screen) makes a powerful argument for avoiding Florida. Entirely. Those Ugly Ugly Gated Communities, almost impossible public beach access in the St. Petersburg area just for one place (I park at Madeira Beach and just pay the parking meter there) crazy crazy crazy real estate prices, and even MORE HOA Regulation Nonsense (and more HOAs there everyday, squeezing out less private options) make it a less and less enticing Retirement Choice, let alone a Living Choice.

73 DE W8LV BILL
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