I know television antennas are not allowed, but how about........

[Talk Host]

satellite dishes. Aren't they antennas? It doesn't bother me at all, but my neighbor has one in front of the house next to the driveway. I am concerned that somebody is going to tell them to take it down. If it is allowed, why wouldn't television antennas be allowed too?

[zcaveman]

According to the Deed Restrictions, #2.15 - Aerials, satellite reception dishes, and antennas of any kind are prohibited within the Subdivisions to the extent allowed by law. The location of any approved device will be as previously approved by the Developer in writing.

There are rules for the installation of satellite dishes. I suggest you call the Architectural Review Committee and find out.

My understanding is that they cannot be on the roof and have to be in the back or side yard unless they cannot be positioned properly to get reception. then they can be in the front but must be concealed by a bush.

When I first moved here they enforced it. I actually saw two dishes that had been roof mounted moved to a ground mounting. Now I see them all over the place.

[bimmertl]

The key phrase in the deed restrictions it "allowed by law". In the late 90's a federal law was passed allowing dishes for personal use as long as they met the size requirements stated in the statute. The dishes used by Directv and Dish Network comply with the statute and as a result must be allowed. The law supersedes any HOA covenants or restrictions.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

[zcaveman]

But I would like to assume that the final sentence:

The location of any approved device will be as previously approved by the Developer in writing.

would restrict the resident from just putting it anywhere. Some of these look pretty tacky. Which is why we have the deed restrictions.

[bimmertl]

The federal law allows the dish to be placed in any location necessary to obtain an adequate signal. I doubt anybody really wants of these things in their front yard but depending on the location of their house and obstructions on the property it may be necessary.

I gues you could always hide the dish behind a herd of fiberglass deer. ;D

[Talk Host]

The FCC rule is pretty specific in allowing not only satellite dishes but also antennas.

In addition, antennas covered by the rule may be mounted on "masts" to reach the height needed to receive or transmit an acceptable quality signal (e.g. maintain line-of-sight contact with the transmitter or view the satellite). Masts higher than 12 feet above the roofline may be subject to local permitting requirements for safety purposes. Further, masts that extend beyond an exclusive use area may not be covered by this rule.

Deed Restrictions seem to not be enforceable.

The rule prohibits restrictions that impair a person's ability to install, maintain, or use an antenna covered by the rule. The rule applies to state or local laws or regulations, including zoning, land-use or building regulations, private covenants, homeowners' association rules, condominium or cooperative association restrictions, lease restrictions, or similar restrictions on property within the exclusive use or control of the antenna user where the user has an ownership or leasehold interest in the property.

[Bob S]

I'm just curious. Has anyone had any decent reception with a TV antenna mounted inside the attic? I have that now in Buffalo in addition to Verizon cable. I get great free digital and HD signals that work when cable cuts out.

[Hawkwind]

Bob
You would have to have some type of directional antenna mounted in the attic and it must be pointed in the proper direction to the TV transmitting antennas. I would think that TV are in the outer reaches of Orlando signal area. Only ch 51 out of Ocala may have a good signal. Also you might need an amp to boost the signal. It might be an expensive experiment and the house has to be rotated in the proper direction.

[Bob S]

Thanks, Hawkwind.
The www.dtv.gov site gives expected signal strengths by zip code. They show The Villages receiving decent signals for a bunch of channels from both Orlando and Daytona. I don't know how valid their assessment is. Has anyone tried it? I suppose the best source would be from someone just outside The Villages who has an antenna.

[Hawkwind]

Bob
I looked at the site and entered my zip code (44685) in to see what I come up with. I can get all the strong and moderate here with not problem and the weak signals are not visible here at all. I have a very large TV antenna with a preamp and rotor.

Now entering TV zip of 32162 I get only 2 stations in the moderate listing and everything else is weak. Don't enter The Villages in your search as it will not give you the correct location. I just tried Lady Lake and you get a Different listing.

You might be correct and just ask someone that lives outside TV and has an antenna.

[JohnR]

Here is the link to the FCC Rule regarding the installation of antennas on both rental and owner occupied dwellings:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html


According to the rules, a HOA (or community associations) cannot restrict the installation of such antennas. It would be my guess, that sometime way back when, someone at TV challenged the rules and won.

You will note at the bottom of the rules, the procedures for reporting the restrictions to the FCC are stated.

This is one of the main reasons I joined this site today. My research shows there are a plethora of televisions stations that can be received OTA (Over The Air) in the area of TV.

I have been an OTA advocate for years. With the conversion to digital signals earlier this year, I get a better signal OTA that with satellite or cable. I can't see paying for something that I can receive from free OTA.

I won't be retiring to Florida for a couple years, but I would appreciate a current resident or residents to make the complaint to the FCC before I get there. :)

Just my $0.02.

[captain1202]

I was at the Radio Shack yesterday and happened to ask the clerk there if people were having any luck with OTA signals. He said with attic or outside antennas on rotors it was OK, but not the small in-house or rabbit ear types. It's fringy enough here to require a large antenna.
Speaking from my own experience, with a clear antenna view over the water, about the best you can expect reliably is about 40-50 miles from antenna. Also, the signals seem to be very sensitive to line-of-site obstructions.
BUT, when you got'em the signals are GREAT! AND FREE!

[Reezie]

We have a CYV and when we had a dish put up, the very next day we got the notice to take it down or move it farther back.(somebody had to complain, as you can't see it from the street) It was on the roof behind our gate. We called Dish up and they told us they would send a service man to see if we could move it somewhere near the back to get reception. When he came out and said we couldn't get a signal from farther back, we talked to his supervisor and we were told the FAA came first and not the powers that be at The Villages. When we talked to the powers that be and quoted the supervisor, they backed right down and the dish is still where it was put originally.
Our CYV is now for sale and we bought a designer and had a dish put up, it's near the back of the house and no problems with anybody. Our neighber has one almost directly across from ours.

[Talk Host]

When he came out and said we couldn't get a signal from farther back, we talked to his supervisor and we were told the FAA came first and not the powers that be at The Villages. .


Do you mean the FCC rather than the FAA?

FCC Federal Communications Commission
FAA Federal Aviation Administration.

[uujudy]

[QUOTE=JohnR;238995] Here is the link to the FCC Rule regarding the installation of antennas on both rental and owner occupied dwellings:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

According to the rules, a HOA (or community associations) cannot restrict the installation of such antennas. [QUOTE]

I live in a cyv, and my neighbor's satellite dish is right outside my front door :(
It's the first thing I see when I walk outside.

[JohnR]

The issue in this thread, is OTA antennas...not satellite dishes. The original poster acknowledged, and I have seen elsewhere, that the satellite dishes are condoned by the home owners association at TV.

So the issue here is....is there a current resident willing to challenge TV for the installation of an OTA antenna?

Or you can wait three years for me to move to Florida.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

As for me..................I really do not want to see those crappy looking, lightning attracting, hurricane hurling antennas here..... imho.

[Talk Host]

As for me..................I really do not want to see those crappy looking, lightning attracting, hurricane hurling antennas here..... imho.


I think nobody "REALLY" wants to see them. But the issue is a good one. The Villages cannot outlaw something that the Federal Government says cannot be outlawed.

There is a screwy exception to the antenna rule. The case of Ham Radio operators (who are part of a worldwide emergency radio communications network) cannot put up their antennas if local covenants forbid it. Towns, cities and villages cannot forbid them, but Community Development Districts can. I know those antennas can be unsightly, but in case of a disaster, many times they are the only link to the outside world.

[Virginians]

Ok it's time to come out of the closet. We use a Winegard MS 2000
Round Omnidirectional Television Antenna.

http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/image/21042566.jpg

This antenna is smaller than a dish and does not need to be rotated. We receive all major networks in HD much clearer than cable or dish. NBC is not always reliable yet. The photo is not of our TV house but very similar.

We also use a DVR sold by Dish network for OTA signals. No monthly fees like TiVo.

Are we the only ones?

[otherbruddaDarrell]

I do not have a problem with ham operator antennas and realize the important part they have. During the Viet-Nam war the only calls home you could make was by going to the base mars station and being connected with a ham operator who would then patch in with the phone.
Having had several roof antennas at the homes I have owned I also understand that the cost is minimal and sometimes the reception is good.
Just because something is legal does it always make sense?
I don't like the price of cable or satelite, but to try and get an antenna installed here just seems cheap-o to me.
p.s..............I am talking the tall antennas with multiple rods

[WaltR]

Ok it's time to come out of the closet. We use a Winegard MS 2000
Round Omnidirectional Television Antenna.

http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/image/21042566.jpg

This antenna is smaller than a dish and does not need to be rotated. We receive all major networks in HD much clearer than cable or dish. NBC is not always reliable yet. The photo is not of our TV house but very similar.

We also use a DVR sold by Dish network for OTA signals. No monthly fees like TiVo.

Are we the only ones?

Where (in what part of The Villages) are you located? When we were there in late Feb, I asked the guy in Radio Shack in Wildwood whether an antenna in the attic above the garage would work in the villages. He said no, it would have to be a very large antenna located outside the house. After reading your post, I checked the Wingard website, and it said the MS 2000 antenna's range would be 35-40 miles, and I believe it said no antenna would "reach" to 60 miles.
I would like to know the comparative cost between satellite and Comcast caable. I understand Comcast has a low seasonal rate for snowbirds during their absence. I haven't heard whether either of the satellite companies offer that?

[CarGuy]

We started with Comcast but when they tried to charge $185 for "installation" in a new Villages home instead of the $41 quoted on the phone, we disconnected and have been using amplified rabbit ears (from Radio Shack) ever since. The quality of reception varies quite a bit. Since digital is "all or nothing", antenna placement is quite critical. We only get a dozen channels: CBS (6.x), ABC (9.x), CW (18.x), and whatever seems to be broadcasting through 27.x, 40.x, and 45.x

I talked with a x-Motorola engineer who was quite knowledgeable about antennas and lives locally. The Villages is not a good location for OTA reception but with proper equipment and placement (the higher the better), you should be able to pull in virtually every channel within 60 miles. There are several site on the web that will help you through the process of selecting the right gear. The people with whom I have talked at Radio Shack vary in their opinions from "forget about OTA reception around here" to "with the right antenna ..."

Rabbit ears are OK for now, but we would like to pull in a few more channels (PBS for sure) and not have to fiddle with the rabbit ears all the time. I plan to try the Winegard MS2000 (discovered 10 minutes ago via this thread, thanks Virginians) before exploring more substantial systems. I have looked at satellite systems and there is a package of just local stations (all we want) for about $12/month. That is appealing because of consistently good signal, and the possibility of combining the "satellite box" with a DVR.

As others have noted, the FCC guarantees your right to receive OTA transmissions and FCC Federal Statutes supersede homeowner regulations. I doubt that anyone would complain about a small external antenna (like the Windeard MS2000) but it would be interesting to know if anyone has installed a big outdoor antenna in the Villages. I think that the Antenna Police would try to have it removed, but in the end would have to defer to the FCC statutes.

[Bob45]

It looks like there are 12 digital channels that might work with the right equipment. They are from 56.4 miles to 59.4 miles from Adriana Villas in Hemingway. And all with a compass heading from 113 Deg. to 116 Deg. I am wondering if a large antenna in the attic with an amplifier will work. Since all stations are the same direction a rotator will not be needed. I might give it a try this fall when I come down. I am in the process of closing on a CYV.
Bob

[inda50]

There are alot of us here in TV wondering. I'm tired of the rip-offs. The airways should remain free, like before. Cable and satellite interest (profit) have kept developement of inexpensive reception from being developed. The airways were " sold off" by the government. Same for telephone.

[EdV]

If you want to put up a big fat over-the-air antenna on your roof in The Villages, the Federal Government says you can and here's the basic rule:

"The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal."

That said, why would you want to since you can receive the same basic local channels in much better quality via cable for about $25/mo.

[Vinny]

The key phrase in the deed restrictions it "allowed by law". In the late 90's a federal law was passed allowing dishes for personal use as long as they met the size requirements stated in the statute. The dishes used by Directv and Dish Network comply with the statute and as a result must be allowed. The law supersedes any HOA covenants or restrictions.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

+1

[N'awlins Lady]

Who has time to watch TV in TV? ;)

Trudy

[thistrucksforyou]

remember why you bought in TV in the first place....Was it the look...Everything in its place? Neat and clean? Don't change or there will be cloth lines in the back yard, fences to let the dog yip outside all day, yard barns in every yard, then what will you have left, just another unkept neighborhood...Someday you will want to sell, remember the look you liked , keep it that way for me when I get ready to buy....

Just a thought ^l^

[mulligan]

Florida law already allows clotheslines. once again superceding condo/hoa rules

[Bogie Shooter]

Florida law already allows clotheslines. once again superceding condo/hoa rules
Thats just what we need. NIMBY!

[SoHumble]

That said, why would you want to since you can receive the same basic local channels in much better quality via cable for about $25/mo.

Actually, many of the OTA signals are in HD. You have to pay extra for HD with cable. And the OTA signal is not compressed like the cable signal is, therefore, the digital HD picture is clearer with an antenna.:smiley:

[EdV]

No, that’s true. The FCC mandates that the cable companies provide both the standard definition and high definition channels as part of the same basic service. In The Villages, basic service (channels 1-20 costs 14.95/mo. And you don’t need a cable box, just attach the cable(s) to your set(s) and you’ll be watching the standard definition broadcast network channels. For HD, you need to rent a HD cable box for 7.95/mo which will deliver the HD version of those channels to one HD TV.

Then if you want to receive any of the other HD channels such as Discovery HD, Animal Planet HD, etc. you will have to pay extra for an HD programming plan but those channels wouldn't be available to you for free with an over the air antenna mounted on your roof anyway.

[brostholder]

I had almost forgotten about mars station calls. I still remember...Hi Mom, over.

[Indydealmaker]

Funny you should mention clotheslines. A similar federal law dictates that local statutes and homeowner associations cannot forbid the use of passive energy devices which does include clotheslines.

[Larryandlinda]

Funny you should mention clotheslines. A similar federal law dictates that local statutes and homeowner associations cannot forbid the use of passive energy devices which does include clotheslines.

Indy
The clothesline (and solar collectors) law is state ,and Florida is one of a small handful of thoughtful states.
The Fed(FCC) provides that all US homes and businesses can receive broadcast waves.
That includes RADAR detectors but state laws have enacted special laws that outlaw them.
L and L

[Indydealmaker]

Larry and Linda, You are right. It is state statute. I got my dictators mixed up.

[MaryEllen]

Here is the link to the FCC Rule regarding the installation of antennas on both rental and owner occupied dwellings:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html


According to the rules, a HOA (or community associations) cannot restrict the installation of such antennas. It would be my guess, that sometime way back when, someone at TV challenged the rules and won.

You will note at the bottom of the rules, the procedures for reporting the restrictions to the FCC are stated.

This is one of the main reasons I joined this site today. My research shows there are a plethora of televisions stations that can be received OTA (Over The Air) in the area of TV.

I have been an OTA advocate for years. With the conversion to digital signals earlier this year, I get a better signal OTA that with satellite or cable. I can't see paying for something that I can receive from free OTA.

I won't be retiring to Florida for a couple years, but I would appreciate a current resident or residents to make the complaint to the FCC before I get there. :)

Just my $0.02.

I am interested

[BigLew]

[QUOTE=JohnR;238995] Here is the link to the FCC Rule regarding the installation of antennas on both rental and owner occupied dwellings:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

According to the rules, a HOA (or community associations) cannot restrict the installation of such antennas. [QUOTE]


as your home is pre-wired for cable, a central antenna system is therefore available and the HOA has the right to enforce deed restrictions....since the quoted rules would then NOT apply :shrug: