In article ,
Jerry Stuckle wrote:

On 1/27/2014 8:05 AM, gareth wrote:
Taking my lead from the way in which spacecraft unload their antennae
and their solar cells, I wonder if there have been any amateur efforts
into folding antennae to beat planning and zonal limitations?

Unlike the spacecraft, the amateur beams would need a folding-back-up
facility, which together with wind-up-and-tilt-over towers would render the
structure invisble when not in use.

Also inspired by the man-across-the-road who is a Punch-and-Judy man
who has devised a booth that folds up neater than a deck-chair.




It sounds like an interesting idea, and I'm sure it could be made
workable from a technical perspective. However, if the unfolded version
doesn't meet planning and zoning requirements, you won't be able to use
it (at least in the United States). It doesn't matter if it meets the
requirements folded or not.

In the UK it is quite hard to offend the local authority with a
demountable structure. Most such things are specifically excluded from
planning requirements. So perhaps it is more worthwhile following up
here.


OTOH, for a quick portable antenna (i.e. Field Day, demonstrations, RVs,
etc.), or where high winds can be a problem (i.e. hurricane prone
areas), I can see a definite possibility for such a design. Probably
others, also, if I think about it more.

--

Percy Picacity

On 1/27/2014 1:51 PM, Percy Picacity wrote:
In article ,
Jerry Stuckle wrote:

On 1/27/2014 8:05 AM, gareth wrote:
Taking my lead from the way in which spacecraft unload their antennae
and their solar cells, I wonder if there have been any amateur efforts
into folding antennae to beat planning and zonal limitations?

Unlike the spacecraft, the amateur beams would need a folding-back-up
facility, which together with wind-up-and-tilt-over towers would render the
structure invisble when not in use.

Also inspired by the man-across-the-road who is a Punch-and-Judy man
who has devised a booth that folds up neater than a deck-chair.




It sounds like an interesting idea, and I'm sure it could be made
workable from a technical perspective. However, if the unfolded version
doesn't meet planning and zoning requirements, you won't be able to use
it (at least in the United States). It doesn't matter if it meets the
requirements folded or not.

In the UK it is quite hard to offend the local authority with a
demountable structure. Most such things are specifically excluded from
planning requirements. So perhaps it is more worthwhile following up
here.


You're lucky. Around here, even "temporary" structures must meet
planning and zoning requirements.


OTOH, for a quick portable antenna (i.e. Field Day, demonstrations, RVs,
etc.), or where high winds can be a problem (i.e. hurricane prone
areas), I can see a definite possibility for such a design. Probably
others, also, if I think about it more.


--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry, AI0K

==================

"Jerry Stuckle" wrote in message
...
On 1/27/2014 1:51 PM, Percy Picacity wrote:
In article ,
Jerry Stuckle wrote:
It sounds like an interesting idea, and I'm sure it could be made
workable from a technical perspective. However, if the unfolded version
doesn't meet planning and zoning requirements, you won't be able to use
it (at least in the United States). It doesn't matter if it meets the
requirements folded or not.

In the UK it is quite hard to offend the local authority with a
demountable structure. Most such things are specifically excluded from
planning requirements. So perhaps it is more worthwhile following up
here.

You're lucky. Around here, even "temporary" structures must meet planning
and zoning requirements.

Is that in case "temporary" becomes "permanent"?
--
;-)
..
73 de Frank Turner-Smith G3VKI - mine's a pint.
..
http://turner-smith.co.uk

On 1/27/2014 6:07 PM, FranK Turner-Smith G3VKI wrote:
"Jerry Stuckle" wrote in message
...
On 1/27/2014 1:51 PM, Percy Picacity wrote:
In article ,
Jerry Stuckle wrote:
It sounds like an interesting idea, and I'm sure it could be made
workable from a technical perspective. However, if the unfolded
version
doesn't meet planning and zoning requirements, you won't be able to use
it (at least in the United States). It doesn't matter if it meets the
requirements folded or not.

In the UK it is quite hard to offend the local authority with a
demountable structure. Most such things are specifically excluded from
planning requirements. So perhaps it is more worthwhile following up
here.

You're lucky. Around here, even "temporary" structures must meet
planning and zoning requirements.

Is that in case "temporary" becomes "permanent"?

Not necessarily. Temporary structures must meet the same planing and
zoning requirements as permanent ones.

For instance, in my area, you can't put up a 50' tower for a weekend
contest without getting a permit (which may or may not be approved).

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle

==================

Jerry Stuckle wrote:
On 1/27/2014 6:07 PM, FranK Turner-Smith G3VKI wrote:
"Jerry Stuckle" wrote in message
...
On 1/27/2014 1:51 PM, Percy Picacity wrote:
In article ,
Jerry Stuckle wrote:
It sounds like an interesting idea, and I'm sure it could be made
workable from a technical perspective. However, if the unfolded
version
doesn't meet planning and zoning requirements, you won't be able to use
it (at least in the United States). It doesn't matter if it meets the
requirements folded or not.

In the UK it is quite hard to offend the local authority with a
demountable structure. Most such things are specifically excluded from
planning requirements. So perhaps it is more worthwhile following up
here.

You're lucky. Around here, even "temporary" structures must meet
planning and zoning requirements.

Is that in case "temporary" becomes "permanent"?

Not necessarily. Temporary structures must meet the same planing and
zoning requirements as permanent ones.

For instance, in my area, you can't put up a 50' tower for a weekend
contest without getting a permit (which may or may not be approved).

We're lucky in the UK, then, as we can put anything we like up for 28 days
at a time without planning hoo har. I also vaguely recall there being some
loophole in the regulations that if your mast is "mobile", ie on a wheeled
trailer, then you can get away with keep moving it around your land,
although I'm sure that'd only have a finite lifespan as a strategy!

--
Stephen Thomas Cole.
UK Usenet Head of Social Media and PR.

This post was sent from my iPhone, likely whilst walking, so may have typos
or bizarre auto-corrects.