They also won't be coming back for anything frivolous now that they know it won't be accepted.
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Codes and Zone Laws for Base Antennas
- Thread starter Recon
- Start date
I dropped-off the $100.00 and my Special Use application at City Hall this morning. I am scheduled to meet with the Zoning Board in January.I live in the sticks now so NP's here .But when I lived in a Water Front Community , in my town if you had to file a " Variance " 20 years ago it was over $700 , plus postage to neighbors effected ! Such a deal you got ! Ps , this was not for an antenna it was a shed but the variance fee is the same .
Zoning board bean counters will never take a risk, the initial action is always to disapprove and make you cover their azz or you won't get approved.
Wanna bet that they ask you to get and supply them with your neighbors written approval?
Between now and Jan, you need to at least a Tech license.
Good Luck
I was informed that the Code Enforcement office will send a letter to five neighbors explaining what action I have taken but the neighbors will not attend the meeting and they will not vote.
You are probably right-on about the bean counters covering their a**.
If my request for the Special Use is denied and I have to lower the antenna to the ten-foot height requirement, I will probably remove the MAX 2000 and buy and install a beam an keep it at ten-feet above my roof. When I decided to install the antenna, I was considerate to the neighborhood and installed the simple and clean looking MAX 2000. Planning ahead, I will start researching information of which type of beam I should get.
Here it's all those letters getting mailed out by " Our Town " Certified Mail they charge up the arse for .
https://www.fcc.gov/media/over-air-reception-devices-rule
The OTARD rule applies to direct broadcast satellite antennas or antennas used to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals that are one meter or less in diameter or any size in Alaska; antennas that are one meter or less in diameter or diagonal measurement and are used to receive video programming services through multipoint distribution services; and antennas used to receive television broadcast signals. 47 C.F.R. § 1.4000(a)(1)(i)-(iii). “Fixed wireless signals” are defined to include any commercial,non-broadcast communications signals transmitted via wireless technology to and/or from a fixed customer location. Id. § 1.4000(a)
If you live in a "Fringe area" as I do +30 miles from OTA broadcast transmitters and need the variance to receive those signals clearly the height restriction may not apply.
I stumped my locals with this and erected a 30 ft tower + 10 ft mast extension exclusively for that reception then placed an antenna with 18 ft boom having 70 elements for VHF/UHF TV on top. Then this became the new Height level so my Amatuer antenna had a 10 ft allowance above that.
After those exceptions were made they gave up, even with the neighbor complaints.
The neighbor tried to say I had Cable Service available and did not "Need" the variance for an outside antenna.
The rule allowed me to stump the locals for the reception of OTA signals.
Basically now I put up whatever I want and hang a small TV antenna on it.
When I installed my 40 ft tower, they gave up, now have 4 towers with various antennas on each
Not to mention wire antennas all around the back yard. (I have 2 acres)
The nasty neighbor hates me, but gave up!
He really freaked when I but that 6 element / 6-meter beam on a 25 ft boom with a 17 ft 2-meter antenna above that on one 40 ft tower. Nothing from City boy's
Next spring the Quad-bander (40m thru 10 meters) goes up on a new tower that will replace a 30 ft. tower with a 50 ft tower!
With this rule and PRB-1 the city told the neighbor we can't stop him.
He has the 'right" by FCC rules!
The other neighbors could care less.
The OTARD rule applies to direct broadcast satellite antennas or antennas used to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals that are one meter or less in diameter or any size in Alaska; antennas that are one meter or less in diameter or diagonal measurement and are used to receive video programming services through multipoint distribution services; and antennas used to receive television broadcast signals. 47 C.F.R. § 1.4000(a)(1)(i)-(iii). “Fixed wireless signals” are defined to include any commercial,non-broadcast communications signals transmitted via wireless technology to and/or from a fixed customer location. Id. § 1.4000(a)
If you live in a "Fringe area" as I do +30 miles from OTA broadcast transmitters and need the variance to receive those signals clearly the height restriction may not apply.
I stumped my locals with this and erected a 30 ft tower + 10 ft mast extension exclusively for that reception then placed an antenna with 18 ft boom having 70 elements for VHF/UHF TV on top. Then this became the new Height level so my Amatuer antenna had a 10 ft allowance above that.
After those exceptions were made they gave up, even with the neighbor complaints.
The neighbor tried to say I had Cable Service available and did not "Need" the variance for an outside antenna.
The rule allowed me to stump the locals for the reception of OTA signals.
Basically now I put up whatever I want and hang a small TV antenna on it.
When I installed my 40 ft tower, they gave up, now have 4 towers with various antennas on each
Not to mention wire antennas all around the back yard. (I have 2 acres)
The nasty neighbor hates me, but gave up!
He really freaked when I but that 6 element / 6-meter beam on a 25 ft boom with a 17 ft 2-meter antenna above that on one 40 ft tower. Nothing from City boy's
Next spring the Quad-bander (40m thru 10 meters) goes up on a new tower that will replace a 30 ft. tower with a 50 ft tower!
With this rule and PRB-1 the city told the neighbor we can't stop him.
He has the 'right" by FCC rules!
The other neighbors could care less.
https://www.fcc.gov/media/over-air-reception-devices-rule
The OTARD rule applies to direct broadcast satellite antennas or antennas used to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals that are one meter or less in diameter or any size in Alaska; antennas that are one meter or less in diameter or diagonal measurement and are used to receive video programming services through multipoint distribution services; and antennas used to receive television broadcast signals. 47 C.F.R. § 1.4000(a)(1)(i)-(iii). “Fixed wireless signals” are defined to include any commercial,non-broadcast communications signals transmitted via wireless technology to and/or from a fixed customer location. Id. § 1.4000(a)
If you live in a "Fringe area" as I do +30 miles from OTA broadcast transmitters and need the variance to receive those signals clearly the height restriction may not apply.
I stumped my locals with this and erected a 30 ft tower + 10 ft mast extension exclusively for that reception then placed an antenna with 18 ft boom having 70 elements for VHF/UHF TV on top. Then this became the new Height level so my Amatuer antenna had a 10 ft allowance above that.
After those exceptions were made they gave up, even with the neighbor complaints.
The neighbor tried to say I had Cable Service available and did not "Need" the variance for an outside antenna.
The rule allowed me to stump the locals for the reception of OTA signals.
Basically now I put up whatever I want and hang a small TV antenna on it.
When I installed my 40 ft tower, they gave up, now have 4 towers with various antennas on each
Not to mention wire antennas all around the back yard. (I have 2 acres)
The nasty neighbor hates me, but gave up!
He really freaked when I but that 6 element / 6-meter beam on a 25 ft boom with a 17 ft 2-meter antenna above that on one 40 ft tower. Nothing from City boy's
Next spring the Quad-bander (40m thru 10 meters) goes up on a new tower that will replace a 30 ft. tower with a 50 ft tower!
With this rule and PRB-1 the city told the neighbor we can't stop him.
He has the 'right" by FCC rules!
The other neighbors could care less.
That's what I love about where I live. I am just outside a very small town in the county and have basically no restrictions on tower erection. I checked before I put up my 64 foot freestanding tower and the only thing they were concerned about was commercial tower structures related to cellular/PCS services.
So whatcha putting up for a quad band antenna? Once again I failed to get my Explorer-14 up this year. It has the 40m kit so is good for 10,15,20,1nd 40m. Got a Cushcraft A3WS for 12/17m. If all goes well NEXT year in regards to money and knee surgery I might possibly forget those antennas and put up a Hygain TH-11DX for 10,12,15,17,and 20m and worry about 40m later. Possibly a single shortened rotary dipole. Not real sure but that is the most likely scenario.
Good for you, but,... it seems that your "powers that be" don't understand the rules.
OTARD does not apply to Amateur antennas. its only for TV antennas
The "fixed wireless" stuff is for telephones and WiFi systems, and has nothing to do with Amateur antennas.
"Fixed wireless signals" are any commercial non-broadcast communications signals transmitted via wireless technology to and/or from a fixed customer location. Examples include wireless signals used to provide telephone service or high-speed Internet access to a fixed location. This definition does not include, among other things, AM/FM radio, amateur ("HAM") radio (but see 47 C.F.R. §97.15), Citizens Band ("CB") radio, and Digital Audio Radio Services ("DARS") signals.
Any way, it looks like you "won" this issue.
I had a 54 ft. Freestanding Spaulding up originally. I erected it without a thought. Never heard a word from anyone...No permits, nothing. I have basically 2 lots. One city (about 3/4 acre) the rest lists as County (about 1.16 acre) (Total about 2).
The tower was erected on the county portion next to the house. I had one "City Council" guy ask if I had a permit. I ask if I needed one for the "County"?
He seen me later said guess you don't!
The real question came when I erected the 30 ft small tower out by the barn. (City Lot)
I had a 3 band/R3 vertical (10/15/20m) I mounted on that.
The old adage: Better to ask forgiveness than ask permission. Wrinkled a few noses on the "Council" but nothing was ever "officially" said or done.
The real issue came about 10-12 years ago when this new family moved in behind me.
The guy began to question me almost immediately when he moved in. He asks about the ropes and "Wires" hanging from a BIG Walnut tree on his side but hangs over my lot by 20-30+ ft.
When I told him I was a HAM, I could tell right off he was going to be an issue.
This was one of those people that would turn neighbors in for having their "GRASS too tall!
Yes, he did that also!
Then when the first TV tower went up he started to question the 10ft rule with the City.
That's where I tossed in the ruling above on TV antenna structures.
My Spalding tower had crashed during Hurricane IKE before he moved in.
OK to keep this from being the great American short story.
The council left me alone, it was noted in the minutes of the council meeting that I had never since 1993 had a complaint from neighbors till this "Gentleman" moved in.
I once had a professor that said I can "Babble" like a Philidelphia Lawler guessing sometimes it pays off.
This joker actually built a ladder up the side of that BIG Walnut tree and tried to get to my rope(s) so he could cut them, I am sure.
He chickened out before he could reach them.
Well ending this, the "Gentleman" has moved out I believe. I don't know for sure but his camper/pick-up/Mud buggy and several truckloads of furniture left a couple of weekends back.
The wife and daughter's vehicles are still there!!!!
A new "City Council" was elected mid-term so see where this goes. I really don't expect any issues, but one never knows.
CK: The beam is an A4S with the 40-meter kit. I also have an A3S WARC with the same kit. My plans are to take the second kit and make the A4S longer and add 2 elements for 40m.
This will go on the 32 ft. tower next to the house/Garage nearest the shack.
The planed 40-50 footer (ROHN 45G Tilt-over) will be dedicated to a 6m twin stack (6 over 6) and some kind of 2-meter array(s) for SSB/FM.
I do have 2 new sections of the HDBX tower in the barn which would raise the 32-foot tower to 48 feet. This would require pouring a new base as the footprint gets bigger on the bottom sections by a BUNCH. Still questionable to see where that goes.
One of my Contest friends has a Backhoe and trailer, he said he would drive over the 70 miles and dig both bases for me next Spring/Summer.
Another of the 6m DX'ers has a 500ft. roll of 7/8th's BELDEN hard-line that I can acquire VERY reasonable.
So see what happens.
My 25G tower(50 foot) was used to erect a new TV tower (30+ foot) behind the shack for over the air reception. I'll cut that OLD Delphi(28 foot) down next spring.
The one that sits right next to the Master Bedroom window!!!
Yep, that's another story!!!
All the Best
Gary
The tower was erected on the county portion next to the house. I had one "City Council" guy ask if I had a permit. I ask if I needed one for the "County"?
He seen me later said guess you don't!
The real question came when I erected the 30 ft small tower out by the barn. (City Lot)
I had a 3 band/R3 vertical (10/15/20m) I mounted on that.
The old adage: Better to ask forgiveness than ask permission. Wrinkled a few noses on the "Council" but nothing was ever "officially" said or done.
The real issue came about 10-12 years ago when this new family moved in behind me.
The guy began to question me almost immediately when he moved in. He asks about the ropes and "Wires" hanging from a BIG Walnut tree on his side but hangs over my lot by 20-30+ ft.
When I told him I was a HAM, I could tell right off he was going to be an issue.
This was one of those people that would turn neighbors in for having their "GRASS too tall!
Yes, he did that also!
Then when the first TV tower went up he started to question the 10ft rule with the City.
That's where I tossed in the ruling above on TV antenna structures.
My Spalding tower had crashed during Hurricane IKE before he moved in.
OK to keep this from being the great American short story.
The council left me alone, it was noted in the minutes of the council meeting that I had never since 1993 had a complaint from neighbors till this "Gentleman" moved in.
I once had a professor that said I can "Babble" like a Philidelphia Lawler guessing sometimes it pays off.
This joker actually built a ladder up the side of that BIG Walnut tree and tried to get to my rope(s) so he could cut them, I am sure.
He chickened out before he could reach them.
Well ending this, the "Gentleman" has moved out I believe. I don't know for sure but his camper/pick-up/Mud buggy and several truckloads of furniture left a couple of weekends back.
The wife and daughter's vehicles are still there!!!!
A new "City Council" was elected mid-term so see where this goes. I really don't expect any issues, but one never knows.
CK: The beam is an A4S with the 40-meter kit. I also have an A3S WARC with the same kit. My plans are to take the second kit and make the A4S longer and add 2 elements for 40m.
This will go on the 32 ft. tower next to the house/Garage nearest the shack.
The planed 40-50 footer (ROHN 45G Tilt-over) will be dedicated to a 6m twin stack (6 over 6) and some kind of 2-meter array(s) for SSB/FM.
I do have 2 new sections of the HDBX tower in the barn which would raise the 32-foot tower to 48 feet. This would require pouring a new base as the footprint gets bigger on the bottom sections by a BUNCH. Still questionable to see where that goes.
One of my Contest friends has a Backhoe and trailer, he said he would drive over the 70 miles and dig both bases for me next Spring/Summer.
Another of the 6m DX'ers has a 500ft. roll of 7/8th's BELDEN hard-line that I can acquire VERY reasonable.
So see what happens.
My 25G tower(50 foot) was used to erect a new TV tower (30+ foot) behind the shack for over the air reception. I'll cut that OLD Delphi(28 foot) down next spring.
The one that sits right next to the Master Bedroom window!!!
Yep, that's another story!!!
All the Best
Gary
I have started the process for applying for a ham radio license and ordered the current (2018-2022) Technician Class book by Gordon West to arrive.