Illinois Governor has Ham Radio Antenna bill on his desk

[KC9SYJ]

Not sure how much clout this has in CA. I recall when Gov. Schwarzenegger signed our bill; yet here in San Diego County at least one town has stated for the record it doesn't care what PRB-1 says...there will be no outside antennas within its confines. (One of these days I'll drive thru and check for the record how many satellite dishes I see.) And here in the City of SD, one ham had a major fight just trying to keep his tower after it had been approved by the city...All because the neighbors were complaining about what an eyesore it is. He was able to keep it, but, as I recall, it cost him rather dearly.
BTW, I can't say for other cities or states, but here it's a major process to put up a tower, much like remodeling a house. Permits, fees, filings, notifying the neighbors, hearings, inspections....
Vy 73...Joe

If that is the attitude they take about not allowing any outside antennas within their confines no matter what PRB-1 says,can't the FCC hold them liable as well as the state,since they refuse to comply?

[KC9SYJ]

No one seems to mention that a lot of towns and city,s pay 100 times more for their radio equipment. Their base setup console,their towers,their repair contracts,etc. Yet we HAMS with a two hundred dollar ICOM,Kenwood,Yaesu,etc with 5/10/25/ watts are able to out reach their coverage area in most cases. They will pay $30 grand to put up an antenna on a police station that half the time can,t reach out further than a Dummy load?..Yet when all hell breaks loose and car one can,t reach car two,and they are scratching their arse,...who is it in the end that reaches out to fill the gap? WE DO!....Our equipment is the true safty net wether they can,t face that fact or not. I think every town actually should have a lic amatuer radio op in charge of their thinking when it comes to being prepared. Like it or not everyone of us in one way or an other are the real back bone.

Those who don't believe that ham radio will be their only means of communication when other means are down in an emergency after a natural disaster will just have to learn the hard way!

[KC9SYJ]

I live in Indiana,...I wonder if PRB-1 is in our statutes? I sure hope so as I will soon be putting up a tower for my five element 6 meter beam and the city of Bluffton won't be able to stop me,...at least I hope they won't be able to!

[WA4III]

I really don't have a dog in this fight but when the hurricanes hit the coast, the HAMs that served as net control were hundreds of miles away from the affected area. This is because the power and antennas local to the storms were out of service. This poses a need for a good beam antenna for 20 meters and a good 80 and 40 meter antennas. Although our amateur radio activities are as a hobby, the FCC's definition of amateur radio is a service. Maybe if the people making the calls and writing letters refered to it as a service rather than a hobby. I think it would appear more like a united effort of volunteers who donate their time (service) and equipment in order to help others. I live in the country in Alabama and have no restrictions, but I see our freedom slipping away. It seems that we need to stick together and fight if necessary. btw, where's the spellchecker?

[KC8YHW]

If we serve "When all else FAILS" then every one should have a few sticks of plastic conduit, some guy ropes, and a wire antenna. Then when it is all down put up your dipole/inverted Vee. At this point the local bodies may have a change of heart.

Think simple set-up Field Day

[K9ZU]

Having once lived in Illinois I'm not the least bit surprised some of the Mayors would bitch about this bill (and I'll bet if I named the 5 off the top of my head I'm thinking about I'd bet they are in the group of objecters). They seem to think that their towns are their personal kingdom and they should rule it as THEY see fit.

...and don't forget Meigs Field, or for that matter, 1968...

[N4UP]

Hi All,

Here in NC we have a League of Municipalities and they are no better than Gangsters, they have done all they can do to inhibit the free people of NC, luckily they have now been dealt several knock down blows, two of which are an Amateur Antenna bill and most recently Annexation has been put in the hands of the people where it belongs.

I wish all Amateurs in IL the best of luck and I hope all of you contact the Gov and let him know you will tolerate nothing less than him sigining this bill...
Now it's time to work on the complete and total dismantling of the league.....

73 All ES GL DE AJ4CU

This is good to know. I am only now ( 2012 ) getting back on the air after a long absence, retired to NC in 2005 but was not aware of this Amateur Antenna legislation until now. It doesn't seem to have any effect on HOA covenants. It would sure be nice to have some similar amateur radio antenna "language" amended to the NC Planned Community Act ( which does apply to HOAs ).

[KC8YHW]

So has Hizzonor signed the legislation?

[KN9Y]

Looks like he did sign it. I have attached a link. It was REALLY hard to find.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/Bill...ionID=84&GA=97

[KD8PFB]

I didn't read the entire approved Illinois legislation, but a critical element of the Ohio legislation states "Any legislative authority that denies an application for approval of an amateur station antenna structure shall state the reasons for the denial and shall, on appeal, bear the burden of proving that the authority's actions are consistent with this section." This language removes the burden of proof from the Amateur Radio operator and places it on the legislative authority.