Momentum has been gathering among amateur radio clubs, advocates and influencers to muster vocal support for two measures that would remove restrictions placed on ham radio antennas by a growing number of homeowner associations around the US. At the helm of the grassroots campaign is the ARRL, the national amateur radio association, which formally kicked off the nationwide push on the 17th of September to bolster the chances of passage - at long last - this year.
The bills were introduced earlier this year in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Previous versions have died in other sessions. Through the years, opponents of such measures have declared that these restrictions are vital to preserving the value of homeowners' investments in their properties and to retaining the aesthetics of a community.
Amateurs maintain that they are seeking the same consideration given to TV antennas and satellite dishes under a federal law known as the Over the Air Reception Devices rule, protecting TV, broadband and direct satellite reception. The measures before Congress would enable hams to provide lifesaving communication if disaster should strike. In the meantime, many hams have resorted to attic installations, stealth antennas and other compromises.
The measures introduced as HR 1094 and S 459 are the latest versions under consideration. The Texas Ham Political Action Committee is working with the ARRL to provide amateurs access with pre-written letters addressed to the lawmakers representing each region. The website generates the messages and delivers them electronically. ARRL newsletters, club websites, social media platforms and blogs have been directing hams to the online tool and urging them to respond.
The Texas Ham PAC says on the site [quote] "This site and the service is provided as a donation to the ARRL and its legislative program by Texas HAM PAC." [endquote] You can find a link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org.
Influencers taking high-profile advocacy roles include Thomas Witherspoon, K4SWL, who hosts the well-read QRPer website for low-power and portable ops. Noting that his home in western North Carolina is not in an HOA, Thomas said this is everyone's battle, regardless. He wrote that even in the midst of what he called an "apocalyptic communications failure" during Hurricane Helene last year, his modest home antenna was able to connect his family to a lifesaving repeater on Mount Mitchell, letting him talk to emergency nets and local EOCs.
Thomas wrote [quote] "Even if, like me, you’re a low-profile ham who doesn’t live in an HOA or restrictive community, there’s a very real reason we should all have the right to install even modest antennas at home."[endquote]
