> From: jpk5lad@cox.net
>
> Someone else commented their doubt that the SteppIR boom was
> long enough to provide good front to back. I can only say, "go to
> someone's shack who has one or listen to someone reverse their
> beam 180 degrees and you should be convinced." Front to back is
> very obvious and this beam is great.... the best I've had in
> 47 years of hamming.
Actually, the boom is too long to provide high F/R on 10 meters, not
too short. F/R on 10 drops into the 10 to 15 dB range which is more
than enough for most people (and as good as the measured F/R on the
triband antennas in the K7LXC/N0AX report). In exchange for the six
dB or so of reduced F/R the SteppIR antennas pick up (depending on
the antenna) between one half and one dB of additional forward gain
across the operating range.
I might have made a different choice and opted to put the three
element yagi on a 12 foot boom, put the four element yagi on a 26
foot boom and added a five element 40 foot boom antenna to the
product line. However, FM's choices are not only understandable,
they probably work to the benefit of the end user by concentrating
production, development and support on a smaller product line and
result in a marginally lower unit cost.
73,
... Joe, K4IK
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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