Expert: Albert Kirsch - 11/3/2009

Question
Legally, can a 4ft vertical antenna be put at the top of a 15 - 20 foot flag pole?  I have been reading US Code Title 4 and can't find an answer, other than regarding filials.  It would make the flag to appear being flown at 3/4 mast.

Answer
"Legally", yes. Flag protocol does not actually have the force fo law because there is no penalty prescribed for violating it. And protocol manuals cannot anticipate every eventuality; yours is one such, though I assure you no military base would do it. But I agree it would make the flag look snagged at 3/4 height (5/6, at 20 feet, actually :-). What sort of antenna is this? Radio hams usually put their beams on the roof, as do subscribers to satellite TV, and most other transmissions don't require external antennas. If you think there's no alternative, go ahead, though you might get unpleasant remarks from local super-patriots. If you have doubts, don't do it. To me, it would look odd, frankly. But there's no law against it.