I also support FCC preemption of CC&R's and would suggest that the contents of this forum be forwarded to
the appropriate officials. As far as working with the HOA one approach may be to try a little "enlightened
self-interest", that is, satisfy their personal needs for power or aesthetics in a way that benefits everyone.
Obviously if we could recruit the HOA "gestapo" to the ham community it would be easy, however in most
cases an end run is required. Why not start (or join) a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT, in
some places NERT). Get the power types involved in how good it is to be prepared for any type of emergency
such as an earthquake, brush fire or flood. I'm sure that they would love the imagined power and prestige of
running about in an official looking vest and hard-hat, bossing committees and teams, etc. (Some people
actually realize, eventually, that community service has its own rewards.) Then do communications training,
offer to be the expert. Demonstrate how cell phones (really little 900Mhz radios) fail under any unusual traffic
volume, as well as the wire lines. Show how the public safety agencies won't be able to cope, and how the Red
Cross is at least 3 days away. Talk about HOA liabilities; there probably aren't any in a disaster, but that
doesn't prevent the litigious, and fending off even frivolous suits is expensive. Then offer them a way out of the
hot seat. You have the means to get health, welfare and emergency traffic to a loved one, officials, etc. under
any condition or circumstance; with just one little concession........... Then put your money, operating skills,
and license class where your mouth is, and practice, practice, practice the art of emergency communications.
Persuade the HOA that if they were licensed as well they could help with the communications side of
emergency management, then get them the classes and exam sessions. I did something like this where I
work and my employer is buying a couple of new radios for use at my work site; and because there are very
few (2 or 3) hams at this location, guess who gets to play with them? Enough said.