Outdoor antenna installation can be an unpleasant experience. Since outdoor antenna installation requires a considerable amount of time and preparation, homeowners are apt to consider the idea as simply a necessary expense that must be done. The fact that antennas are not usually considered part of a home’s design may have something to do with this mindset.
Thankfully, the local government has taken steps to improve the conditions under which an outdoor antenna installation is permitted. Instead of taking away the individual’s right to install a functional and aesthetically pleasing antenna, the local government now advocates the same values that are being championed by the local “niche” retailers: that they make their wares available at a reasonable price. This, in turn, encourages retailers to develop very flexible antenna design and installation options to serve their customers’ needs.
The upside of this is that more people who seek out new installations are now able to avail themselves of the benefits of outdoor antenna installation. Some of these improvements have been made simply by tweaking existing city ordinances to accommodate modern antenna installation.
For example, some cities and towns have restricted how far back antennas must be installed to prevent them from blocking light. Now, while certain antenna designs such as directional wave plates can function well when installed at various distances, many manufacturers can improve on their products by designing and developing antenna designs that are installed further back in the line of sight. Many people have a hard time working with glass panels that seem to obstruct their view, and it is often a challenge to visually direct a wire between a base and a dish antenna. Fortunately, the design of many antennas has become more efficient because manufacturers are now able to use a wire that runs parallel to the direction of the incoming antenna signal.
While some cities and towns do not even allow people to install their antennas on private property, many others have enacted laws to prevent the installation of anything other than traditional structures. While some areas might require that an antenna be mounted on poles that are at least four feet in height, other restrictions might only limit antennas to looking over fences and railings.
Today, some cities and towns require that antennas are installed in “commercially sensitive” areas. This essentially means that if you want to install your antenna on public land, you have to use the approved tools for outdoor antenna installation. While there are a few different types of tools that work effectively for installing antennas, most people use their own hands for this kind of job.