Ham Antenna Causes Stir-up in South Lubbock Neighborhood - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

Lakeridge Estates is known for its immaculate homes, beautiful landscaping and its prestige, but now residents say all that can be seen is an antenna.

"It's an eyesore," said neighbor Sharan Stephenson. Another neighbor, Sue Garlington agrees, "It's an eyesore." "It's a monstrosity," said Betty Andersen who sees the antenna from her back door. "It's an eyesore and I don't like it," Andersen added.

It's nested at 21-feet, but when raised the tower towers over the neighborhood. Located at the corner of 99th Street and Savannah, it reaches a height of 51-feet.

"Nearly all the subdivision in Lubbock have restriction about antenna that protrude above the roof and that are visible from the street," said Lakeridge developer Ken Flagg. "The city ordinances likewise prohibit high unsightly antennas."

"We had a woman that was driving down the street and she lives two block away. She called and said, 'What's that in your neighbor's backyard?'," said Andersen.

Distracting or not, it's legal, even if it's not in compliance with the subdivisions deed restrictions.

"The home owner is registered ham operator with the FCC," said Flagg. As a licensed operator, the owner is, by federal law, allowed to put up the antenna.

The tower owner, Robert Boyd couldn't go on camera with us, but he did say he has been a licensed ham radio operator since 1968.

And for him, it's not just a hobby. Boyd has helped with emergency communication for numerous national and worldwide emergencies. Including the Asian Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Rita and even last weekends severe storms that killed 28 people across eight states.

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