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USA HR-4969
On Friday, August 15, 2014 11:38:58 PM UTC-5, Phil Kane wrote:
In FCC Docket 96-83, the proceeding that established the FCC's OTARD rules (Section 1.4000) as directed by Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, there was specific wording that the "preemption" applied to antennas used exclusively for TV/video reception or for transmission incidental to operation of such systems (subscriber feedback, download ordering, etc.) A "TV antenna" or look-alike used for ham radio is specifically not preempted nor is there any intent to preempt ham radio antennas even if used for TV reception. I didn't figure it was "legal", only that it was unlikely for the HOA to know the difference between me using an old TV antenna to top load a small tower and actually using it for TV reception. If it looks like something that the FCC preempted, maybe they wouldn't say anything, or if I actually used it for TV reception at first and drew the objection, rightfully claimed the preemption, they'd unlikely try again and I'd be able to modify things for Ham use without too much worry. Old TV antennas still work on the new TV spectrum and seem like they would be worth at least some amount of top loading if shorted to the support structure. Arranging a shunt feed on the mast for a few bands shouldn't be too hard. The other option I've considered is to just go ask if I can put up a ground mounted vertical in the back yard, with the understanding that only about 20' of antenna might be visible from the road and I would take it down before I sold the house. Then there is the third approach, what I'm doing now. I just put up stuff that I don't think anybody would see and I that I don't mind taking down (i.e. they are cheap wire affairs). So far, that's worked as long as I didn't go too gaudy. The coax trap inverted V dipole with the 20' painter's pole center support was a bit much for them, but I did share a backyard fence with the board president so I didn't expect that to fly. When you get a warning letter, they give you 30 days to comply, then it takes 60 more days to actually get a fine, at least here in Texas. 90 days is plenty of time to cut down some wire if they got insistent about it. -= Kc4uai =- |