Our research indicates that the leading preventable cause of inactivity amongst amateur radio operators are antenna restrictions.   Hams who live under antenna restrictions often give up ham radio.  Though many hams still maintained their licenses, when an emergency occurs they are unprepared to provide emergency communications.

From the ham's perspective, why should they and how can they prepare to communicate in an emergency if they can not enjoy ham radio in the interim? Some Homeowner's Associations may say - why don't you set up an emergency antenna at the time of an emergency?  If the ham is not allowed to have an antenna in between emergencies, s/he will be unequipped, untrained and unprepared.  Between emergencies is when emergency prepardedness occurs.  It is a time of equiping and training.  To expect a ham to help in an emergency yet not let them have an antenna in the interim is unreasonable.  

Non-hams are often surprised to learn the most important part of a radio station is the antenna. Non-hams are overly focused on transmitter power.  They are mistaken to think that more power equals "more range."  It is not as simple as pumping more power out of the transmitter to increase range of communication.  

Generally the higher and bigger the antenna, the greater the range of communication.  There are other factors which are beyond the scope of this discussion.