Letters to the Editor

Since Robert Gonsett's CGC Communicator is no longer posting long format items, we've agreed to take on some of the task. Constructive comments relevant to the San Diego broadcast technical community may be sent to the chapter e-mail address. As always, we solicit your news and feature items.

December 22, 1998
Re: Phil Kane's comments

How does the law discern between TV/Video and other received radio signals?

I have a big problem with some screwball lawyer or city councilman telling me that I can receive TV, but no other broadcast or other readily available radio signal. It's not the municipality, homeowners association or federal government's decision as to what signals I may receive. If the signals are transmitted, I am the only one who may choose to receive them. Further, the municipality or homeowners association cannot usurp my right to transmit using my FCC issued Amateur Radio Service license. Only the FCC may regulate my transmissions.

So, if you allow an antenna to receive TV or Video, it is clear to me that the antenna may be used for other purposes as well. The fact that there is RF voltage at frequencies other than TV channels makes it so.

If I were to put up a 15 element Channel Master TV antenna and use a tuner to transmit in the 2m band, how could that violate any local ordinance if the TV antenna were allowed for reception purposes? Are you telling me that the municipality or homeowners association has the right to re-write the laws of physics and tell my antenna it may only receive and only within this narrower range of frequencies?

I think that precedence has been set and an antenna is an antenna is an antenna. Given some planning and proper presentation I don't believe that this rule could pass constitutional muster. If you allow one antenna, ultimately you will allow all antennas within reasonable size and location, etc...

Regards,

James S. Kaplan KG7FU
EDX Engineering, Inc.
http://www.edx.com
jamesk@edx.com
541-345-0019, 541-345-8145 FAX

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Web site contents ©1998 Society of Broadcast Engineers Chapter 36 San Diego. For more information, to become a member or a sponsor, or to make suggestions or comments, e-mail sbe36@broadcast.net. Write to P.O. Box 710702, San Diego, California 92171-0702.  

Edited by Gary Stigall. Updated 22-Dec-98.