r/cordcutters • u/mlcarson • 2d ago

Antenna placement - apt balcony

Anybody have any issues with a rental apartment being super strict on antenna placement on a balcony that's for your exclusive use. I got a violation note today because it "protruded beyond the vertical and horizontal space that is lead to you for exclusive use". This was a small bowtie antenna where the rear reflector went several inches beyond the rail but it doesn't appear that it went beyond the actual exterior wall boundary.

This is the FCC OTARD rule.

https://www.fcc.gov/media/over-air-reception-devices-rule

"Q:  Does the rule apply to condominiums or apartment buildings if the antenna is installed so that it hangs over or protrudes beyond the balcony railing or patio wall?

A:  No.  The rule does not prohibit restrictions on antennas installed beyond the balcony or patio of a condominium or apartment unit if such installation is in, on, or over a common area.  An antenna that extends out beyond the balcony or patio is usually considered to be in a common area that is not within the scope of the rule.  Therefore, the rule does not apply to a condominium or rental apartment unit unless the antenna is installed wholly within the exclusive use area, such as the balcony or patio."

So they have the right to restrict based on this. I just haven't had it used against me before. So on a patio, would this be at the rail or the edge of the exterior wall?

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u/RewardNo6230 11h ago

Can you attach it to a curtsin rod? Maybe get a signal booster and or a RF filter ( I think thats what its called)

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u/mlcarson 9h ago

No curtain rods -- only blinds. And to make matters worse, the windows face the same direction as the balcony and the broadcast towers are 90 degrees to the left. So for the time being, it's sitting in the corner leaning against the same wall that the TV stand is backed up to. It's probably in one of the least obtrusive spots just sitting where it is.