The BIG game is about to start and there you in your apartment with all your friends starring at your beautiful T V when the picture goes blank. What happened? You hurriedly check all the connections to see if they are tight and functioning. You check the lights to see if the electricity has gone off. Every thing is working fine but still no picture. The game starts in a few minutes, you run to the phone and call the Apartment manager, “My T V just went blank” you scream, “ What's going on, the game is about to start and I have all my friends here to watch it.” “The cable company has had an accident and the cable has been cut” he answers. “Won't have it fixed for a few hours” “Maybe you could watch the game with John in #115, he has Satellite Dish.”



Do you know that Apartment, Condo and Townhouse dwellers can install a Satellite Dish to provide all the great advantages of Satellite TV? The FCC says you can in Rule 47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000. Here is what they say:

As directed by Congress in Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Federal Communications Commission adopted the Over-the-Air Reception Devices (“OTARD”) rule concerning governmental and nongovernmental restrictions on viewers' ability to receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellites ("DBS"), broadband radio service providers (formerly multichannel multipoint distribution service or MMDS), and television broadcast stations ("TVBS").

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.

Effective January 22, 1999, the Commission amended the rule so that it also applies to rental property where the renter has an exclusive use area, such as a balcony or patio.

On October 25, 2000, the Commission further amended the rule so that it applies to customer-end antennas that receive and transmit fixed wireless signals. This amendment became effective on May 25, 2001.

The rule applies to individuals who place antennas that meet size limitations on property that they own or rent and that is within their exclusive use or control, including condominium owners and cooperative owners, and tenants who have an area where they have exclusive use, such as a balcony or patio, in which to install the antenna.

The rule applies to antenna users who live in a multiple dwelling unit building, such as a condominium or apartment building, if the antenna user has an exclusive use area in which to install the antenna. "Exclusive use" means an area of the property that only you, and persons you permit, may enter and use to the exclusion of other residents. For example, your condominium or apartment may include a balcony, terrace, deck or patio that only you can use, and the rule applies to these areas. The rule does not apply to common areas, such as the roof, the hallways, the walkways or the exterior walls of a condominium or apartment building. Restrictions on antennas installed in these common areas are not covered by the Commission's rule. For example, the rule would not apply to restrictions that prevent drilling through the exterior wall of a condominium or rental unit and thus restrictions may prohibit installation that requires such drilling.

Satellite Dish Reception is without a doubt has become very popular but many people have thought that they could not use it because they live in a Multi Unit facility. However, as long as they confirm to the FCC rule concerning the installation of Satellite Dishes, they too can enjoy the benefits of Satellite TV. I would certainly discuss the issue with the Management of the complex but you certainly have the right to install a Satellite Dish within certain restrictions as per the FCC Rule.

Satellite Dish reception is unbelievable. Talk to the Satellite Dish Supplier for specifics.