A TV antenna is permitted by law (which was drafted by the advertisers running
ads on the over the air television stations). My Hygain TH-3JRS is is TV
antenna. 33 feet is a height I require for good reception.
A flagpole is permitted by law. If you choose to run a wire to it is your
choice.
73,
Neal N5EN
________________________________
From: BVARC <bvarc-boun...@bvarc.org> on behalf of Jeff Greer via BVARC
<bvarc@bvarc.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2022, 9:16 AM
To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <bvarc@bvarc.org>
Cc: Jeff Greer <gree...@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [BVARC] masts & towers
Well, my CC&Rs are not vague - they say explicitly no antennas unless we're
required to allow the antenna by law. Having said that, I already have an
antenna for HF. There will be one for VHF and UHF. The question is about how
to build it...
I think I've settled on doing the tetherball base. Now I just need to figure
out if it will be a push up mast, a crank up mast, a tilt over mast, or some
combination, and I need to figure out what to make it out of... Lighter is
better, I think, as it'll be less likely to cause damage should it ever blow
over (or get knocked over). I may put this thing between my house and the
neighbor's house, and I don't want it breaking stuff. I was looking at carbon
fiber telescoping masts last night, and that may be a good option. They're
pricey, which I'm not thrilled about, but they are supposedly stronger/stiffer
than aluminum.
-j
________________________________
From: Neal Naumann <n...@outlook.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2022 7:05 AM
To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <bvarc@bvarc.org>
Cc: Jeff Greer <gree...@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: masts & towers
If you attend any area Hamfest with an ARRL forum, John Stratton N5AUS (ARRL
board member and civil trial attorney) will tell you that an HOA is no excuse
for putting up an antenna. He can feed you ammunition if there is an issue
with your HOA.
My HOA has a vague statement about antennas 10 ft higher than the highest point
on my house. With that in mind and a "it's better to ask forgiveness than
permission " attitude, for the past 20 years I have had antennas up to 20 ft in
height attached yp my chimney. This past year I got tired of dealing with my
extension ladder and put four sections of Motorola/ Rohn 35 in the ground about
6 feet. So that's about 34 feet above ground. I recently came across a good
deal on a Hygain TH-3JRS and I also have a 4 element 2 meter beam side mounted.
I have never received a complaint... except for grass growing in the sidewalk
cracks.
I also converted my 10 meter 5/8 wave Siro Toronado to a 30 meters and it's
mounted on a 10 ft pole, so that's also about 35' to the top. My 12 meter diy
vertical is also at about 30 feet. I'm working on a 60 meter vertical that
will use an insulated push-up pole that will be about 43' high.
According to N5AUS, all property owners in the United States are guaranteed
the right to display Ol' Glory. That flag pole can be 33 feet tall and have
coax attached.
I hate stupid rules and enjoy pushing the limits. Some people drive the speed
limit - I never have.
For those that say "don't buy a house in a HOA" - I challenge you to purchase
a (decent and reasonably priced) house in the Houston area, in an acceptable
school district, and close to work, that's not in an HOA.
73,
Neal N5EN
________________________________
From: BVARC <bvarc-boun...@bvarc.org> on behalf of Jeff Greer via BVARC
<bvarc@bvarc.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 3:02 PM
To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <bvarc@bvarc.org>
Cc: Jeff Greer <gree...@hotmail.com>
Subject: [BVARC] masts & towers
Hi, BVARC!
I'm curious as to what others are doing for masts/towers. I'm in an HOA ("no
antennas") with a tiny little yard. Nobody has complained so far about my
homebrew "DX Commander" style fan vertical, which looks like a 31' jackite pole
(because that's pretty much what it is, with some 3d-printed wire spreaders).
I was holding that up w/ a 5' piece of 3/4 copper water pipe driven halfway
into the ground. Worked for several months, but the wind finally bent the
pipe. I have some 5' electrical conduit that looks a little tougher, but I may
resort to guying. The metal inside the bottom of the fiberglass pole, I
suspect, interferes with my 10m element, anyway...
I'm also wanting to put my Ed Fong DBJ-1 (which looks like a 5' PVC pipe) up
with the feedpoint 25-30'. I picked up a couple of old tires, and I'm thinking
of filling one with concrete (think tetherball pole) and mounting a couple of
pieces of angle iron in the concrete, so I can drill holes, put some sort of
mast between them, and make a "tilt over" base/hinge for the mast. Has anybody
built a self-supporting (non-guyed) 30 foot mast out of, say, some sort of
stock from Home Depot/Lowe's? The internet has lots of stories about using
chain link fence top rail (10' sections), but most say that 2 of those (20') is
all you join before it gets super wobbly. Would love to use some sort of
square tube - maybe nesting sections - but not sure where to get 10' sections,
and not sure aluminum would be strong enough or steel would be light enough...
Anyway, that's where I am. I thought I'd float this out there to benefit from
the experience of those who have been there and done that. Hope y'all can help
me come up with something that will work while avoiding poor choices that could
cause damage or hurt somebody.
Thanks!
-Jeff, W5JEF
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