As we seek to enjoy our passion for amateur radio, many of us face challenging situations when it comes to dealing with our HOAs (Home Owners Associations). Typically, many HOAs, especially in Green Valley, severely restrict our ability to erect suitable antennas that would allow us to pursue our ham radio interests to their fullest extent.
Even here in Sahuarita, where the minimum lot size is 4.13 acres, we are not supposed to erect antennas that are higher than 15 ft. above the surrounding terrain.
In one sense, however, Dee (KE7KCS) and I (Ron Gross, AD7FV) are fortunate in that we are somewhat isolated. Our Hy-gain AV-18VS HF vertical is 18 ft. long and about 1 ft. above ground level, and our TRAM 1480 VHF/UHF antennas are even taller. Plus, we want to put up the three-element beam that I purchased from GVARC after the the Club purchased and installed the SteppIr Three-Element Yagi. We have 80 ft of tower, but a restriction on height. The good news is that I am also on the Board of our HOA and intend to lobby for lifting the 15 ft. restriction.
Anyway, I know that all of us had hoped a solution to our antenna problems was at hand with HB 2595. The bill would have required HOAs to make reasonable accommodations for amateur antennas. Apparently that will not happen, at least for now. Senator Tim Bee sent Dee and I the following e-mail:
Dear Ronald/Dee:
Thank you for your recent e-mail expressing your support for HB2595 amateur radio; operators, structures; accommodation. Please allow me this opportunity to address your concerns.
HB 2595 was assigned to the Senate Government committee. Standing committees in the Senate have concluded their work for this session and HB 2595 did not receive a hearing. I encourage you to contact Representative McLain expressing support for her to introduce this legislation again next session.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Should you have additional questions or concerns regarding any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Timothy S. Bee
Senate President
Senator Bee's e-mail address is: tbee@azleg.gov
HOWEVER...
Former state legislator Ted Downing W7KEY states:
"The first rule of politics is don’t take NO for an answer. Be a bull dog! The legislature is still in session and bills may be dead but the language can be amended to other bills that are moving through the system. Don’t give up on getting it through, not yet. I didn’t get a record number of bills into law as a minority member by sitting on my hands.
"We need Rep. McLain (yeah!!!) to really show her skills as a legislator now, which she can do, by amending another bill to include the language of HB2595, or holding out on signing onto the Majority budget until our language makes it through to law, or ??? We now have APS supporting us – so we are in much better shape. As long as the legislature is in session, the fat lady has not finished singing. Please, everyone, contact McLain and ask her to show her stuff and fight this one into law."
SO... PLEASE e-mail Representative Nancy McLain (as stated above and in Senator Bee's
e-mail) and ask her to introduce the legislation again. Her address is:
Nancy McLain, Republican District 3
House of Representatives
1700 W. Washington
Room 344
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-5051
Fax Number: (602) 417-3003
Email Address: nmclain@azleg.gov
THIS IS WINNABLE!! We can do it TOGETHER!!!