ARCHIVE: Australian Ham Radio Discussion Forum ( AHRDF )

From WIA News for 22nd July 2017 :

The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 was introduced in the US Senate on July 12, marking another step forward for this landmark legislation.

 The measure will, for the first time, guarantee all radio amateurs living in deed-restricted communities governed by a homeowner's association or subject to any private land use regulations, the right to erect and maintain effective outdoor antennas at their homes.
 
 In a statement, ARRL said it looks forward to working with the bipartisan leadership of the Senate and the Commerce Committee to help move the  legislation through the Senate and to President Trump's desk.

ED Comment:
That's the USA for you. The local governments in Australia don't even have common rules regarding antennas...

Does the "effective outdoor antennas" term mean 100 metre high towers with full size yagis for 40 metres on them ?

Thats brilliant, and would be a big step forward in Australia too, as this is part of the problem of getting people on the air, that and QRM sources.

The only way it could happen here is if property developers thought it would add to their profits. Then they'd simply ask their mates in government and presto there it would be.

And we know that is very unlikely to happen.

Hi,

It is worth reading the actual text of the sponsored docket S.1534 in the Senate.    Also called H.R.555 in the House of Representatives.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-cong...%5D%7D&r=1

The key wording which still contains the let out clause is:

"The Commission shall permit a community association to establish reasonable written rules concerning height, location, size, and aesthetic impact of, and installation requirements for, outdoor antennas and support structures for the purpose of conducting communications in the amateur radio services"

So even if someone living in a restrictive covenant area wants to erect an outdoor antenna, they will still have to fight the Homeowner Association as to what constitutes an effective outdoor antenna.

Clearly an effective antenna on 160 metres is quite different to a small vertical on 2mx/70cms that can work the local repeaters.

Cheers

Peter  VK3QI

Greetings,

As I wrote recently, there are many questions that the USA position raises.

For an opposing view on the legislation from Fred  K1VR   ARRL Volunteer Counsel    have a read of 

http://www.kkn.net/~n6tv/Just_Say_No_to_S.1534_v4.pdf

Fred analyses the fine print of the legislation and is quite critical of possible outcomes that might lead from the legislation being enacted.

It is definitely worth a read.

Cheers

Peter  VK3QI