Re: [TowerTalk] New antenna system

["Jerry Keller" <k3bz@arrl.net>]

Floyd... OK, I plead guilty. I'm a member of the SteppIR "cult". But I can assure you (because I 
moderate it) that the SteppIR reflector tolerates ANY and ALL comments, thoughts, questions, and 
suggestions.... positive or negative (as long as they're polite)... concerning Fluidmotion's SteppIR 
antenna products. Nothing is edited. Nothing is screened. And you know, in a more than a couple of 
years now, and with more than 4000 postings by more than 600 members...we have never had a flame 
war, not even a skirmish. I think that's because so many of us are in substantial agreement... the 
SteppIR antennas are pretty good. Sure, they have limitations... what antenna doesn't? Sure, they 
have idiosyncrasies... what piece of gear doesn't? But they are new and cutting edge and fascinating 
and efficient and fun and not everybody has one.

I'm with you, Floyd.... I'm absolutely astounded that these antennas have so few negative comments. 
But I assure you, it's not because of our "cult" status.... I think it's because the SteppIR 
antennas are just that damn good. Wait until you've had yours a while.... I bet you will wear the 
funny hat and dance around the fire with the rest of us....

73,  Jerry K3BZ


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Floyd Sense" <fsense@copper.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 6:25 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New antenna system


> Well, as a new SteppIR owner, I can't resist inserting myself into this "lovefest".  While the 
> SteppIR is certainly a good product and their customer service is indeed first-rate, it seems to 
> me that a cult has developed around the SteppIR that doesn't tolerate any negative comments or 
> thoughts.  When I obtain a new product, I usually try to learn as much as possible about how it 
> works and what its limitations are - and there are always limitations.  Reading the comments on 
> this forum would lead one to believe that there are none with the SteppIR, but that would be 
> incorrect.
>
> When checking out my new 3 element SteppIR, I noticed that the SWR was higher at one point on one 
> band than elsewhere.  So, I used the controller function to change the length of the driven 
> element to reduce the SWR and sure enough, that worked just as expected.  So then I thought - why 
> not do the same for the driven element on all the segments of all the "antennas" in the 
> controller.  In doing that, I found that the controller software is not capable of storing all 
> those changes to just one element per "antenna".  If you are a real modeler/experimenter figuring 
> to play around with different antenna definitions, how many experimental antennas can you 
> configure and store?  Apparently, not many - a known problem in the software (known to FM, not to 
> you).  Researching this problem led me to another after chatting with FM support.  Oddly enough, 
> the antenna dimensions FOR THE EXACT SAME FREQUENCY IN THE EXACT SAME BAND are DIFFERENT when you 
> are in "Amateur" mode vs. "General Freq" mode.  What's more, the dimensions for at least one point 
> on one band are better in the Amateur mode than in the General mode. So what?  Well, if you're 
> using the PC or your rig to control the SteppIR frequency, you MUST run the controller in General 
> mode.
>
> When I asked a related question on the SteppIR Yahoo forum, one wag explained to me that a .3 dB 
> difference is insignificant.  It certainly is to me, but I'll bet it isn't to you if you're 
> interested in implementing your modeling results.
>
> The SteppIR has a few other "warts" that you won't read about, but no need to go into them here. 
> I'm just amazed that it took this long for someone to come up with this revolutionary design at an 
> affordable price.  But my amazement doesn't blind me to the shortcomings.
>
> Just to keep to the purpose of this reflector, my new SteppIR sits on top of a guyed Rohn 25 and 
> all of the new and used pieces/parts of the tower installation were obtained from folks on this 
> reflector.
>
> K8AC
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> 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.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk


_______________________________________________

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.

_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk