"A Homeowners Association CANNOT restrict you from putting up a Ham Radio Antenna""

[@KYFriedHam]

I'm no real estate developer, and I haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn in years but here's and idea...Let's make an HOA for hams. You MUST put up a tower of at least 50 feet with at least 3 antennas, one of which must be a beam.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

We will need some band pass filters for this HOA :D

[@CURTIS-W5CER]

I'd buy into that HOA

[@slick8086]

They do it for golf and other activities. Why not? But instead of everyone being mandated to put up their own tower, why not put up a single 200ft tower that everyone can put an antenna on? (They can still put up their own towers too, but the benefit of an org like HOA is that you can pool funds to the group benefits that individuals usually wouldn't spend individually on.

[@CURTIS-W5CER]

@slick8086 because the feed lines would be unrealistically long for any but closest resident. Lol

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

@@CURTIS-W5CER Ever heard of remote?

[@HamHockRadio]

I have to believe someone else had said this or similar: The ability to install anything external to your property when you live in a HOA situation depends on the contract/agreement you signed. A good deep read of the documents perhaps with a an attorney is the best bet. Then if it can be swung to make sure all local rules with the township you live in are followed and perhaps even have stamp by the local government to shove in the neighbors face if needed.

[@bassmanjr100]

I'm on 18 acres in rural Tennessee horse country. I feel for ya with HOA's. I understand why it works for some, but it's not for me. I'm too darn stubborn to let some HOA nanny tell me what to do. It wouldn't be pretty. 😂

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I get it. It's not for me, either (in the future, at least).. For now, it is what it is... and I DEFINITELY share your thoughts. They dont' want us feeding sandhill cranes.... but it's okay to feed other birds LOL.. how am I supposed to police a pterodactyl (Not literally).. :D

[@sandasturner9529]

I respect/agree with that 100 percent

[@timel64]

I can no longer afford the house I’m renting. In looking for one I can afford renting is in an HOA. No tall trees to put a EFHW in. If I find a way to get an antenna up I’ll share. All I have is the G90, a scanner for UHF/VHF & some HTs.

[@Larry-W1LID]

@@timel64 Telescoping carbon fiber poles are the way to go. That's what I use in my HOA. Once you figure a way to secure them to the ground, they deploy and take down very easy. EFHW for HF work the best. Can be tough to get real low SWR with houses so close. A radio with tuner addresses that issue. My VHF/UHF vertical is in the attic. Good luck.

[@InformalGreeting]

I live in an HOA. I learned the answer to the potential problems long ago. Get yourself elected to the board. Then you can work to remove restrictions that get in the way of reasonable people. I’ve lived in my home for a year. So far I’ve managed to get the rules changed from no antennas other than small dishes for TV to as approved by the architectural committee (which consists of me and one other person), to allow chickens in your backyard (I don’t own chickens but not allowing them is stupid), and to allow solar panels on roofs (which I also don’t have but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t). Why do I live in an HOA? Because I don’t want to live in a bad neighborhood. I don’t want my wife to have to drive more than half an hour to work. And I don’t want to have a yard the size of a postage stamp. To find what I wanted HOA neighborhoods were the only option. I live on an acre and a half in a neighborhood of about 60 homes. Across the road from me is a full section of cattle. To the west is undeveloped land owned by a government entity that restricts any future development. To the east there are a few homes and just south of them is a neighborhood very similar to mine. To the south is a private road with four homes all on 5 acres. It is a perfect spot for what I wanted and needed. Having to put in a little effort to put up an antenna was more than worth it.

[@GoonyMclinux]

You don't want to live in a bad neighborhood you go rural, and HOA isn't going to dictate local criminal activity.

[@paul.phillips]

HOA's in Southern California are a scourge. $500+ a month in just dues to restrict your rights, that's just nuts. Glad I don't live in an HOA.

[@chrissewell1608]

But it keeps a neighborhood from turning into a ghetto!

[@paul.phillips]

@@chrissewell1608 Most neighborhoods here are not ghettos. If you want to pay an extra $500/mo for someone to tell you what you can't do with your own property then good for you. Some of us prefer freedom, even if it means that some neighbors might paint their house yellow. It's their house, who cares.

[@W6OBB]

I bought a condo in an HOA, because after looking for almost 2 years, that was the only thing in my price range by more than $100k. So it was either rent, throwing money away where I still couldn't put up an antenna or but a condo in an HOA. That being said, I joined the BOD. I'm the VP. I know our rules and know what I can put up without violating the rules. I have a compromised antenna and I've done pretty well with it. This also got me into POTA and SOTA, which I enjoy much more than playing radio from my home. 73

[@K1NGA-EM74]

No transmitters! Ha ha. They banned computers, wifi, your cellular phone, remote controls and security systems??? They are insane.

[@steveurbach3093]

Time to MAKE THEM ENFORCE that rule since it IS a rule. They have 2 choices. 1)Enforce 2) remove.

[@W9HJBill]

When I lived in The People's Republic of Maryland, I owned a house that had an HOA. I didn't have too much trouble with them, well, until I sold my house and they tried to fine me for having a shed that wasn't to HOA code and I didn't receive permission to build ... nevermind that I didn't build it and it was there when I bought the house years before. 6 years ago today I left The People's Republic of Maryland and bought a house that isn't in an HOA. I will NEVER buy a property in an HOA. I will fight anyone who tries to start an HOA on property I own. NEVER again. HOA's are BS and usually their rules are arbitrary and the members are usually Nazi's. It's not just about HOA's vs Hams ... there are examples where HOA's outlaw having a pickup truck parked in your driveway ... even if it's a brand new $100,000 one.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Congratulations on your freedoms! I will get there one day! cheers!

[@bearbpm]

Hahahaha!!! I also refer to it as “The People’s Republic of Maryland”.

[@sethtaylor5938]

We have an HOA. We have no transmitting restrictions, no amateur radio or antenna prohibitions. We own 1/3 acre in fi. Location is Coco Wood Lakes in West Delray FL. Antenna construction standards are codified in the Palm Beach county Construction code. The only HOA consideration is there is an Architectural Review Committee that might require input. There are no deed covenants nor rules that prohibit my ham radio operations. Per the County building code, I don't have enough land to install a tower, but I'm free to put up a wire dipole between the two 60 ft hardwood trees on my land or a ground mounted vertical. Seth KC2WE. Delray Beach FL.

[@CraigSotelo]

Rule #1 Never buy into an HOA .. Rule #2 Never buy into an HOA

[@JarlSeamus]

Rule #1: NEVER buy in an HOA. They should be illegal.

[@jhmcglynn]

Why would you say they should be illegal? I’ve lived in 4 HOA communities over the years but currently live in a non-HOA community. The HAM RADIO DUDE outlined the benefits of an HOA. When I bought this home there was house a few doors away that parked 2 derelict sailboats in their front yard. Not everybody thinks a 50’ tower with a tri-banded mounted is a work of art.

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

I never wanted a property in an hoa, even before becoming a ham fisted operator.

[@jeffwinget5928]

So after your video yesterday, Hear me out. Sept.= labor day Oct. - Halloween Nov. - Thanksgiving Dec. - Christmas Jan. - new years and MLK Feb. - valentines March- St. Patrick's April- Easter May- memorial day June- junteenth and solstice July- 4th of July August- back to school And back to Sept. Year round hanging pieces!

[@MrStanwyck]

Screw the HOA!!!!

[@misterbob8834]

I live in an hoa community and of course their dish antennas are just fine. I ended up with 70 feet of 27 guage copper magnet wire in the air and it is nearly invisible. None of my neighbors know I am a ham, and I intend to keep it that way. Stealth is a good option!

[@chrissewell1608]

They can stop you from doing anything to your property. But, they can place liens against your property! Which eventually must be paid... $$$$$

[@Larry-W1LID]

A similar bill died in the current House session. It would have included "reasonable" ham antennas in the language that address TV Sat. dishes. HOA's cannot prohibit those.

[@cccmmm1234]

HOAs can restrict whatever people allow them to restrict. If you don't like HOAs then don't join one.

[@hamradiotube]

lol!!! Holiday Inn 😂

[@BVN-TEXAS]

Those laws are not automatic and expect to have to hire a lawyer to defend yourself. It will cost you a lot in legal fees. I would never have bought in a HOA. I found this little beach house in an ocean side city with ten streets and NOOOO HOA thank god.

[@noexcuses6727]

Depends on the State

[@David-hm9ic]

One thing that has raised my curiosity is, "how far are HOAs separated from government?" In the state where I live each HOA has to file their documents with the county clerk's office making them part of the county's regulations. Could a creative lawyer make the argument that an HOA becomes an extension of the county government? My HOA rules say nothing about antennas. The word "antenna" is not in the covenants. The only restriction is that nothing can be built higher than the original house structure. The top of my chimney is about 35' so that's not a terrible restriction for my location. The house is in a cul-de-sac so my lot is very wide across the back but only about 40' deep from the back of the house to the back fence so guying a tower of any height would be tough anyway. My next antenna plan is to put a hex beam on a mast, attached to the house, that's just tall enough to clear the roof comfortably.

[@cccmmm1234]

Essentially a HOA is just another layer of government. It isn't the same government any more than your county is an extension of the federal government. They are just layers. If you like more government and federal, state and county isn't enough for you then join an HOA too!

[@carlosfelix4057]

The thumbnail is gold

[@Bill-c5i]

While I understand the idea behind an HOA I will never never ever buy a house in an HOA community. To me the best thing is to check out the neighborhood and see how people take care of their property and if the streets are clean and free of garbage and junk vehicles.

[@W5KJD]

The concept of an HOA is about the most stupid idea anyone has ever come up with.

[@David-hm9ic]

Until someone opens a car repair business in their driveway next door to you. Not all HOAs are run by Karens.

[@KimeeZM]

I have a condo, so it's a condo assoc not an hoa, but basically the same, just for stacked instead of row homes. We have rules against external antennas and such. But on the 10th floor, I can hear hear stuff half way across the state with just a 1/4 wave whip on a 5w walkie. I'm tempted to put some aluminum tape or something on the inside of my window for a half wave. But Idk if it'll be any better than the walkie. And as for HF, I'd rather do pota activations anyways.

[@pauliedweasel]

HOAs are what the Louisville Slugger was invented to deal with.

[@PaulGriffith]

HOAs tend to use the same boiler plate contracts leaving much to their interpretation.

[@dillard715]

I would do everything they don’t want me to do. F all HOAs why would anyone buy into something like this.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

4:12

[@richardsparks9904]

I will never live in a HOA

[@warmfreeze]

Hoa s should be illegal .. I had one try to take my house and I wasn’t even in the hoa

[@TheKingOfInappropriateComments]

Sort of like that recent law in Florida that bans the practice of HOAs banning pickup trucks. (HB 1203 I think it was). The HOAs can still claim they don't have to go along with that due to Kaufman Language. Which, if anyone is interested, can look that up. Also for everyone saying just don't move into an HOA, that's easier said that done. Municalities no longer develop real estate. And if you live in a major city, that's really all the new home development there is. Private developers and tract homes. If you are wealthy, maybe you can afford to buy or build a custom home in an established older neighborhood that's been there since the turn of the last century. That's just not how it's going to go down for most people any more.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Well thought out and articulated, thank you!

[@dorvinion]

Municipalities essentially don't allow new development these days unless there is an HOA. In that sense, I really don't think of any HOA as being legitimate because it's something forced upon the property owners who want to develop. The only way to truly make them legitimate would be to recharter the HOAs for all property owners that wish to participate.

[@TheKingOfInappropriateComments]

@@dorvinion Well if a developer buys a tract of land and goes to the city or county and says, I'm going to build some houses, build me some roads, a pool and some tennis courts, they're going to laugh and say you build the roads and then when you're done, you can turn them over to us if you want. You can give us the pool and tennis courts too but just like the roads, we're going to let anymone in to use them. Then the HOA is born.

[@moonbounce]

First of all, why would anyone live in a HOA area by choice? Why would anyone buy a home that is on someone else's property? I know ham operators have taken on HOA's with success, using the FCC regulations. I guess if you are willing to lay down and let them roll over your rights, that is your option. Keep on paying someone to rule over you and your property.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

4:28

[@RobertRamson]

How are you part of Homeland Security?????

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

People will say anything, right? :D Amateur Radio itself falls under Homeland Security, in a way - PUBLIC LAW 109-295-OCT. 4, 2006 120 STAT. 1355 ‘‘SEC. 1805. REGIONAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATION". If reading that, it outlines that Amateur Radio operators (much like cable operators) can play a support role in emergency operations. Somewhere along the way, some guy decided that means that Hams are Homeland Security. But the possibility of playing a support role (possibly) and actually being Homeland Security, in my eyes is a huge jump. I would never go out and tell anyone I was Homeland Security because I have my ham radio license . Have a good one! :)

[@terrygraham4555]

As a ham radio operator you are part of homeland security. So the HOA'S have no right to tell you that you can't put up an antenna

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Hi, I did not know I was part of homeland security and I was hoping I would get a badge for that.Could you tell me what laws are in effect that says that ham operators are part of homeland security? Thanks in advance

[@LanceVK6LK_AussieHam]

@@HAMRADIODUDE😂

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I'll respond to myself here and acknowledge that this MAY have been a typo. There is a huge difference between potentially playing a support role to Homeland Security and being a part of Homeland Security. When I read "part of Homeland Security," I interpret it as being a member of Homeland Security. Alas, I did my own research: Support for Emergency Operations: Amateur radio operators are often seen as a critical resource for maintaining communications when public safety communications fail. This section highlights the need for coordination at the regional level to ensure that communications, including those provided by amateur radio operators, can support emergency operations. PUBLIC LAW 109-295-OCT. 4, 2006, 120 STAT. 1355, SEC. 1805 After reading the section listed above: Ham radio plays a key role in supporting Homeland Security by providing reliable communication during emergencies when traditional systems fail. This is done by providing backup communications, volunteer emergency support, coordination with government agencies (like FEMA), and participating in drills and exercises. To say: "Ham radio operators are part of Homeland Security" is a HUGE stretch. The only place "amateur radio" is mentioned in that entire document, 109-295, 120 Stat. 1355: "Communications equipment manufacturers and vendors (including broadband data service providers). Local exchange carriers. Local broadcast media. Wireless carriers. Satellite communications services. Cable operators. Hospitals. Public utility services. Emergency evacuation transit services. Ambulance services. HAM and amateur radio operators. Representatives from other private sector entities and nongovernmental organizations as the Regional Administrator determines appropriate." So, to say that ham radio operators are part of Homeland Security (when the fact is, they can play a support role) would mean that: AT&T Fiber services (exchange carriers) are part of Homeland Security. Local broadcast media like ABC News are part of Homeland Security. T-Mobile employees are part of Homeland Security. Elon Musk and Starlink employees are part of Homeland Security. Anyone a Regional Administrator determines appropriate would then be part of Homeland Security. I’m not trying to be confrontational, but in my opinion, these are two VERY different things: saying you are part of Homeland Security because "Amateur radio" was mentioned once in a rather large document, versus saying you can play a support role to Homeland Security.

[@thomashardy9994]

My granddaughter goes to school in a part of town I was not previously familiar. On the way to pick her up I passed by a house that was probably owned by an amateur operator. Even I thought the antennas (pointing every which way) were ugly. Didn’t help that the grass and shrubs were wildly overgrown. Probably not an HOA development.