You’ve probably seen the messages about the ARRL push for relief from antenna restrictions by Home Owners Associations (HOAs). If not, take a look here. It is clear that excessively tight HOA restrictions are a significant barrier to getting started in ham radio.
ARRL has launched a nationwide grassroots campaign aimed at securing the passage of federal legislation that would grant Amateur Radio Operators the same rights to install antennas on their property as those enjoyed by users of TV antennas, wireless internet, and flagpoles.
The campaign, announced in an ARRL Member Bulletin on September 17, 2025, follows the reintroduction of the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act in February 2025 (see ARRL News 02/07/2025). The bipartisan bills — H.R.1094 in the House and S.459 in the Senate — are designed to prevent restrictive homeowners’ association (HOA) rules that currently prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas, even when such antennas are hidden in trees, placed in attics, mounted on vehicles, or look like flagpoles.
While the ARRL is pushing for this bill, I have not seen much written about what is actually IN the bill. You can read the entire text here: HR 1094 – Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act.
But here’s my summary. The bill requires that specific amateur radio antennas not require approval from HOAs or similar organizations:
- Antennas that are 1 meter or less in diameter
- Flagpole antennas, not to exceed 43 feet in height
- Wire antennas – minimally obtrusive wire antennas
- Vertical antennas – not to exceed 43 feet in height
Note that this does not mean you will have the right to put up a 60-foot tower with multiple large antennas on it. Some folks are probably disappointed in the limited nature of this bill. My view is that it is a reasonable accommodation to basic ham radio operation, very reasonable for urban and suburban environments. If you want to build the ultimate contest station, you’ll need to buy some rural property. This ARRL page provides some background on why this bill makes sense.
I am somewhat surprised by the 43-foot height limit for vertical antennas. This is apparently a carryover from previous ARRL legislative attempts. I would settle for something shorter than this…but what the heck. For reference, a quarter-wave vertical for the 40m band is about 33 feet high.
I think the ARRL has lined up the legislation, the lobbyists, and some Congresspeople to push this through. Can we get this passed? I don’t know, but I suggest we all get behind this by making our voices heard in Congress. The ARRL has made this VERY EASY to do. Just go here: https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/
That’s my view. What do you think?
73 Bob K0NR
It will never pass. A better bill would be eliminating HOA’s
The first responders to a site of disaster that can provide communications are usually the local ham radio operators. When a neighborhood is decimated by fire, weather or flood it would be nice if people were already set up with antennas that work yet are not obvious. It would behoove us in these interesting times to be ready and practiced in establishing communications via atmospheric and satellite communication channels. To ban unobtrusive antennas is like banning the local firestation.
My home is in perhaps the world’s largest HOA, The Villages, FL, which is a collection of retiree neighborhoods. Population is somewhere near 180,000 people and our ham radio club here has over 200 members. ALL of us have a restriction in our covenants of “no aerials of any kind.” Yet, many members use flagpoles and some use stealth. A few hearty contesters have off-site antennas and some work them remotely.
This legislation ~might~ have a chance IF we all join in the letter writing campaign. In addition to the ARRL letters, I intend to contact my congress people with reminders of our frequent hurricanes , that even in a well prepared state leave large swaths of communications failures too often.
73 de N4REE, Bob Easton
Honestly, do I think this will pass? Nope!
EVERY federal government legislative session contains a republican and a democrat representative in the House, and a republican and a democrat Senator, sponsoring this “Feel Good” bipartisan legislation.
And EVERY time it goes into committee for review, where it dies. It never makes it to the floors of the House or Senate and therefore never to the President for signature.
No matter whether we have a bipartisan government, or one controlled by both parties, the result is the same.
The only permanent remedy is to make certain you live in a non HOA community.
That said I fully support ALL efforts of the ARRL to keep amateur radio going.
IMHO if a commercial entity wants to “buy” one of our bands it will be gone. And yes I am aware that the airwaves “belong to the public”, at least they were in the Communications Act of 1934.
Sincerely and 73,
Brian AB9ZI, Amateur Extra, and Commercial General Radiotelephone Operator License holder (the old First Phone!)
I agree with both Bobs. Reasonable accommodation is all that is asked. Stealth has made me a better builder, but it is often a compromise.