I have been licensed since 1995 and have thoroughly enjoyed the hobby/service we call ham radio. I am quite active on HF and VHF and am involved in a very active county ARES group. I am also registered with RACES in our state. For me emergency communications has become a primary focus. It brings together all facets of this great service and combines them in a common purpose.

I do not have the luxury of unencumbered real estate for antennas. In the fall of 2001 we moved to a new subdivision. I was assured by the developer that the CC&R's would not be a problem. That assurance evaporated as soon as we signed the papers. I could not have any antenna on my property that was visible to any of our neighbors. After a little research, I came across a vertical antenna from Hustler (6BTV) that looked like it might fit inside a PVC pipe. A white PVC pipe with a flag on top would be a flag pole, not an antenna. Since the actual antenna was inside the pipe, it could not be seen by anyone. So the CC&R requirement could be complied with -- going strictly by the letter of the law.

In January of 2003 I purchased the 6BTV, buried 64 radials under the grass, installed and tuned up the antenna (or flag pole) and have enjoyed the thrill of world-wide communication. My flag pole antenna has worked marvelously and so far the neighbors just think we are very patriotic.