I looked at OTARD and it appears that it can be helpful if/when we end up putting the OTA antenna back up for TV reception. As far as ham antennas, it doesn’t look like it will help at all, unfortunately.

I have been enjoying my 20m delta loop on everything from 10m down to 80m. I was operating from the back patio, but think that position won’t be sustainable when the summer heat gets here. I just put my SG-239 in an enclosure for outdoor use and hope to use it to tune the antenna remotely and operate inside when it gets warmer.

I like my FT-817D (as far as QRP rigs go) and have an Icom IC-735 (1980s vintage) for QRO work. Hopefully I’ll have my Elecraft K2 finished soon and can use that for both QRP and QRO work.

Enjoy the hobby and good luck with your purchase decision!

One word regarding HOA restrictions on tv antennas–OTARD.

Check out the FCC site and search for OTARD–it essentially guarantees that no HOA can restrict or require prior authorization for tv antennas that are in plain view. The only possible exceptions are for safety or historical building reasons.

The FCC has a history of preemptive rulings against HOA’s…

I forwarded a link to the FCC’s OTARD ruling to my HOA and they amended the rules… and it doesn’t matter if you have cable or not, and the rules apply to satellite dishes as well…

Good luck with your HF antennas though! LOL. You might be able to erect a very large “TV” antenna due to your “reception” problems–and that antenna might have enough hardware to cover a few bands.

Just passed my General exam a few weeks back, wondering what I’ll do for an HF radio–thinking about the Yaesu FT-450… how do you like your Yaesu equipment? (I’ve got the FT-60R)

73