SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. \u2014 Introduced earlier this year, federal legislation known as the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act would, if passed, eliminate HOA prohibitions on amateur radio antennas. <\/p>\n
The National Association for Amateur Radio has created a petition to help pass this legislation.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
Kings Point Amateur Radio Club<\/a> is working to shine a light on federal legislation that would make it easier for operators to install an antenna on their properties<\/p>\n The legislation would prevent restrictive HOA rules that currently prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas<\/p>\n What started off as a love for radio has turned into a hobby with a purpose for Joseph Flack.<\/p>\n He\u2019s the president of the Kings Point Amateur Radio Club in Sun City Center.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of the radio users, they like to log in, it gives them something to do and they feel safer,” he said.<\/p>\n The club connects members who share a\u00a0love of radios, but another\u00a0big part of\u00a0their mission\u00a0is assisting the community through its disaster radio service program \u2014 which steps in to help fill communication gaps during natural disasters.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.”<\/p>\n The club currently has about 850 members. But many of them live in HOAs, like club Vice President Eric Nisenfeld, who said it\u2019s harder to set up listening stations to communicate with others.<\/p>\n Pending legislation could change that: A\u00a0bipartisan 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\u00a0or other discreet locations.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s there to create parity,” Flack said. “It\u2019s there to support the amateur radio community in their support of the communities they work with.”<\/p>\n The National Association of Amateur Radio<\/a> has created a\u00a0petition<\/a> so that more amateur radio operators can show their\u00a0support\u00a0of\u00a0the legislation.<\/p>\n Flack said that during Hurricane Milton last year, his radio club\u00a0took about 10 emergency calls. They also take courses through FEMA to ensure they are prepared to assist.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about giving us the ability to give us the proper tools to continue to support the country,” he said.<\/p>\n