What do you do if you’re an amateur radio enthusiast who wants to get full enjoyment out of your favorite hobby without drawing the attention of your homeowner’s association or breaking any covenants, conditions, or restrictions?
It’s one of the most frequently asked questions of the hams at DX Engineering. Problem is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there are prudent steps you can take to make a smart decision that’s right for you. Here are a few recommendations:
- Before putting up an antenna, take the time to get a clear understanding of what you can and cannot do on your property. Don’t assume. You could end up wasting time and money.
- Define your property limitations in terms of size of yard or lack of a yard altogether.
- Pinpoint your operating goals and target frequencies so you’ll know what kind of antenna you’ll need.
- Consult with friends about what antennas they’ve put up in their HOAs. Check the Internet for ideas. Contact trusted operators—like those at DX Engineering—for honest advice on what options are ideal for your location.
- Research what’s available. Be realistic and not afraid to make compromises if necessary. The expression, “You can’t fit five pounds of oatmeal in a one-pound sack” applies.
- You’ll find a wide variety of possibilities for both VHF/UHF and HF operating at DXEngineering.com, including stealth loop antennas, dipoles, wire antennas, unique choices like TransWorld (TW) Antennas, Ciro Mazzoni LOOP Antennas, HF verticals that may work on a balcony, and roof-mounted antenna towers from Carlson Communications.
A good place to start your search is with this OnAllBands article, “Antennas for HOA Restricted Residences.” We also highly recommend the book, Antenna Zoning for the Radio Amateur, 3rd Edition, by attorney Fred Hopengarten, K1VR. Also read “How to Get on the Air When You Aren’t Supposed to Have Visible Antennas” by Greg, NC7B.
