SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. — Introduced earlier this year, federal legislation known as the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act would, if passed, eliminate HOA prohibitions on amateur radio antennas.
The National Association for Amateur Radio has created a petition to help pass this legislation.
What You Need To Know
Kings Point Amateur Radio Club is working to shine a light on federal legislation that would make it easier for operators to install an antenna on their properties
The legislation would prevent restrictive HOA rules that currently prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas
What started off as a love for radio has turned into a hobby with a purpose for Joseph Flack.
He’s the president of the Kings Point Amateur Radio Club in Sun City Center.
“Most of the radio users, they like to log in, it gives them something to do and they feel safer,” he said.
The club connects members who share a love of radios, but another big part of their mission is assisting the community through its disaster radio service program — which steps in to help fill communication gaps during natural disasters.
“We have a lot of people that are elderly, including myself,” Flack said. “And this is a way for them to reach out when the internet is down, the cell phones are down.”
The club currently has about 850 members. But many of them live in HOAs, like club Vice President Eric Nisenfeld, who said it’s harder to set up listening stations to communicate with others.
Pending legislation could change that: A bipartisan bill would prevent restrictive HOA rules that currently prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas, even when antennas are hidden in trees, attics or other discreet locations.
“It’s there to create parity,” Flack said. “It’s there to support the amateur radio community in their support of the communities they work with.”
The National Association of Amateur Radio has created a petition so that more amateur radio operators can show their support of the legislation.
Flack said that during Hurricane Milton last year, his radio club took about 10 emergency calls. They also take courses through FEMA to ensure they are prepared to assist.
“It’s about giving us the ability to give us the proper tools to continue to support the country,” he said.
There has been pushback for the proposed bill from the community associations institute — an advocacy group for HOAs, condos and co-ops. They’ve argued that associations should be able to enforce reasonable rules for placement, size and aesthetics to protect safety and property values.
The legislation was first introduced in 2016 but ultimately failed. It is currently being considered in the U.S. Senate.