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PRB-1 and CC&R's
Hi,
Some time back, I did some looking around for an Arizona retirement home. In an area with approximately 100k population, I saw exactly 2 real HF stations with a true antenna farm in a week. Both were owned by people whose family had been there before the boom, and were grandfathered. Except for that, I saw a low dipole, a couple of flagpoles which were disguised verticals, and one StepIR vertical standing proudly in someone's back yard. That turned out to be an interesting story, since the residents of the new development had voted not to form a HOA. So while it violated the CC&Rs, there was no organization to enforce it. Being a place where they prided themselves on being "rustic," they had instituted some very tight zoning on antennas of every sort. However, the real problem, from a ham standpoint, was posed by the HOAs and CC&Rs. They were so standard and pervasive that except for some very old areas, there was no place to buy which did not have them. As a buyer, you had no input to their formulation, and because they are considered private agreements, you had little appeal if you could not get a waiver from the HOA. According to the locals, you basically worked 2 meters, used a stealth antenna, or bought a house out in the county. Way out. I am all in favor of allowing people to pick an area where the environment is congenial to them. However, when there may as well be a sign on the city limits saying "Hams Not Welcome," even if that is not the intend, it may be time to at least have a vigorous discussion of the formulations of CC&Rs. As for me, I decided to stay were I am, where they consider regulation the last resort, not the first. -- Alan WA4SCA |
#2
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PRB-1 and CC&R's
In article ,
Alan WA4SCA writes: Hi, Some time back, I did some looking around for an Arizona retirement home. In an area with approximately 100k population, I saw exactly 2 real HF stations with a true antenna farm in a week. Both were owned by people whose family had been there before the boom, and were grandfathered. Except for that, I saw a low dipole, a couple of flagpoles which were disguised verticals, and one StepIR vertical standing proudly in someone's back yard. That turned out to be an interesting story, since the residents of the new development had voted not to form a HOA. So while it violated the CC&Rs, there was no organization to enforce it. Being a place where they prided themselves on being "rustic," they had instituted some very tight zoning on antennas of every sort. However, the real problem, from a ham standpoint, was posed by the HOAs and CC&Rs. They were so standard and pervasive that except for some very old areas, there was no place to buy which did not have them. As a buyer, you had no input to their formulation, and because they are considered private agreements, you had little appeal if you could not get a waiver from the HOA. According to the locals, you basically worked 2 meters, used a stealth antenna, or bought a house out in the county. Way out. I am all in favor of allowing people to pick an area where the environment is congenial to them. However, when there may as well be a sign on the city limits saying "Hams Not Welcome," even if that is not the intend, it may be time to at least have a vigorous discussion of the formulations of CC&Rs. As for me, I decided to stay were I am, where they consider regulation the last resort, not the first. Having not been actively involved in ham radio for several years (actually, more than a decade) I am amazed to see the same arguments still going on. This one in particular. Hams make up approximately 00.2% of the US population. And, decreasing every year. Why would you be surprised that more and more places don't want structures they consider unsightly in their neighborhoods. As has already been stated (and was stated when we argued this more than a decade ago) CC&R's are contractual matters and you are not going to see laws to overturn or limit them. If you move into an area that doesn't allow antennas it was your decision. The argument that you can't find a place that allows them is bogus. What you can't find is a place that is willing to operate by your terms. If you want an antenna farm buy property where that is allowed. If you want to live in developed neighborhood, then either build one full of hams or accept that your neighbors don't share your idea of aesthetics. bill KB3YV -- Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. University of Scranton | Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include std.disclaimer.h |
#3
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PRB-1 and CC&R's
From: (Bill Gunshannon) on Sat, Mar 10 2007 9:35 am
Alan WA4SCA writes: I am all in favor of allowing people to pick an area where the environment is congenial to them. However, when there may as well be a sign on the city limits saying "Hams Not Welcome," even if that is not the intend, it may be time to at least have a vigorous discussion of the formulations of CC&Rs. As for me, I decided to stay were I am, where they consider regulation the last resort, not the first. Having not been actively involved in ham radio for several years (actually, more than a decade) I am amazed to see the same arguments still going on. This one in particular. "Humankind invented language to satisfy its need to complain." (anonymous tagline) :-) Hams make up approximately 00.2% of the US population. 0.023 % actually (understanding the typo on decimal point). And, decreasing every year. Why would you be surprised that more and more places don't want structures they consider unsightly in their neighborhoods. It's a matter of esthetics and all neighbors wanting the place where they live to be nice. I've lived at this QTH for close to 44 years and have seen it grow more attractive when all in the neighborhood take pride in making their homes and surrounding territory look good. No unsightly trash lying around, no rusted car hulks, no huge satellite dishes of the old kind, just nice upkeep on their property and landscaping. My only restriction is of the FAA kind since I am located about a mile from the nearest corner of Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, CA. However, trying to put up 200 feet of tower (plus some) won't get me over the near hilltops for low-angle HF shoots to the north to east. That didn't matter when I bought this place back in '63. As has already been stated (and was stated when we argued this more than a decade ago) CC&R's are contractual matters and you are not going to see laws to overturn or limit them. If you move into an area that doesn't allow antennas it was your decision. The argument that you can't find a place that allows them is bogus. What you can't find is a place that is willing to operate by your terms. The center area of Santa Barbara, CA, has (perhaps) the most draconian restrictions beginning with the style of architecture (!) in keeping with tradition of olde California living. For those that want to live in that style, let them enjoy it say I. If you want an antenna farm buy property where that is allowed. Some 53 years ago I lived and worked IN a two-square-mile former airfield filled with wire antennas and their support poles. For half a year until the Army reassigned me to another place in Japan. That airfield also had dozens of Japanese farmers on it, living and working at their agricultural tasks. Those Japanese who contracted with their government to work that land resented the "intrusion" of a military who filled their observable sky with wire and hundreds of poles...not to mention disturbing their BC receivers with about 250 KW worth of assorted HF signals from that large transmitter station. The farmers were there first but their government let the USA put up that station. Needless to say the farmers were upset with it. While I enjoyed that assignment, I could understand their dislike of their new conditions. If you want to live in developed neighborhood, then either build one full of hams or accept that your neighbors don't share your idea of aesthetics. That's the bottom line. It's a matter of priorities in life and getting along with all the others in a neighbor- hood. Radio amateurs are generally out-numbered by all the others who do NOT share hams' liking for "living IN a radio station." I'm planning a new ham station installation but I'm also considering the esthetics from my neighbor's point of view. I LIKE my neighbors and I LOVE my wife who lives with me even though she does not share my electronics interest of work and play. 73, Len, AF6AY |
#4
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PRB-1 and CC&R's
wrote in message oups.com... From: (Bill Gunshannon) on Sat, Mar 10 2007 9:35 am Alan WA4SCA writes: [snip] Hams make up approximately 00.2% of the US population. 0.023 % actually (understanding the typo on decimal point). Best to double check that math. It is indeed approximately 0.2% (not 0.02%) or about 2 hams per thousand people. Dee, N8UZE |
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PRB-1 and CC&R's
On Mar 11, 3:56�pm, "Dee Flint" wrote:
wrote in message oups.com... From: (Bill Gunshannon) on Sat, Mar 10 2007 9:35 am Alan WA4SCA writes: [snip] Hams make up approximately 00.2% of the US population. * 0.023 % actually (understanding the typo on decimal point). Best to double check that math. *It is indeed approximately 0.2% (not 0.02%) or about 2 hams per thousand people. Yes. :-) (710K / 300M) = 2.3^(10-3) = 0.23% 88, AF6AY |
#6
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PRB-1 and CC&R's
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#7
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PRB-1 and CC&R's
On Sat, 10 Mar 2007 10:11:53 CST, Alan WA4SCA
wrote: Some time back, I did some looking around for an Arizona retirement home. You would be interested to hear that the proposed Arizona statute mirroring PRB-1 is drafted to apply to homeowner restrictions enacted AFTER the statute goes into effect but not retroactively. At least it's a start. 73 de K2ASP -- Phil Kane ARRL Volunteer Counsel |
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