Subject: Re: TVI Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 21:13:58 -0800 From: kq6bs@juno.com (Jim Bridge) To: the.hiltner.family@sympatico.ca References: 1 Hello Cpl Hiltner: Sorry to hear you're having difficulty with a problematic neighbor. While I cannot give legal advice (apologies - I'm not familiar with your laws) my personal recommendations are as follows: 1.) Change your telephone number and keep it unlisted. Yes, I understand in smaller, rural communities everyone likes to post their number but obviously the jerk down the road will continue to harass you so it is best to remove that window of opportunity. 2.) While your local municipal government may not have any statute or ordinance restrictions for amateur radio per se, it might be a good idea to take out a tower and/or antenna permit. This will give you a legal precedent if your nosy neighbor files a zoning-type complaint with the local government. If you have official permission to have the array there isn't much the jerk can do about it. In other words, First Come, First Served. 3.) Don't feel it's your responsibility to correct their reception problems. Amateur radio bands have been governed in North America for over 100 years, and our respective governments depend upon us to assist in times of civil defense and emergencies (like those ice storms Canada just received, or earthquakes in my California!). Think of the guy with the double preamps and you see why people create their own misery with cheap electronics. Here in the States some mass-market baby monitors use 49 MHz and the owners complain when 6 meters tears them up. 4.) Enlist help from your local radio club, or your national organization (in the US we use the ARRL). They will help you get the legal ammunition you need to stand your ground. 5.) If the neighbor continues to harass you, by all means send a stiffly-worded cease and desist letter (or have an attorney do it for you) and explain why his claimed reception problem isn't your responsibility, then back it up as necessary. Trust me, the bullies back down in the face of superior firepower. Refuse to lose! Good luck, sir. 7 3, Jim Bridge, KQ6BS Cypress, CA USA DM03XT (5 miles from Disneyland)
