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Re: [TowerTalk] How can a SteppIR Perform So Well?

To: ve4xt@mb.sympatico.ca, towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How can a SteppIR Perform So Well?
From: RLVZ@aol.com
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 13:13:09 EST
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
 
Since the C3 is basically a 2-element antenna... if we are comparing  prices, 
shouldn't we be comparing the C3 to a 2-Element SteppIR which costs  $849?
 
73, K9OM
 
In a message dated 3/17/2005 12:36:55 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
ve4xt@mb.sympatico.ca writes:

Here's  another reason why someone might choose fixed elements, price.

I don't  mean to disparage the SteppIR, it has a lot going for it, but 
consider  
that the 4-el SteppIR is $1,745.

The C3E is $735, the C3S is  $610.

If the added performance in Joe's chart below is worth $1,000 to  you, then 
by all means. The SteppIR will also outperform the F12s on  frequencies 
the F12 is, by F12's own admission, a compromise (WARC  bands).

If the added performance and frequency agility is not worth  $1,000, then 
you may wish to stick with fixed-element designs.

73,  kelly
ve4xt


> From: "Joe Subich, K4IK"  <k4ik@subich.com>
> Date: 2005/03/17 Thu AM 10:47:03 CST
>  To: "'Bill'" <w5vx@hiline.net>,   <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How can a  SteppIR Perform So Well?
> 
> 
> W5VX writes; 
>  
> > I think the point I was trying to make was... if a well 
>  > designed yagi with 4 elements works as well as a well designed 
>  > 5, 6 ... element yagi, then why would anyone want to purchase, 
>  > buy, or build the larger antenna? 
> 
> The key is in what  you mean by "performs as well."  If the only 
> concern is gain at  a specific frequency, then the four element 
> antenna will perform just  as well as a five, six or more element 
> antenna on a boom up to about  3/4 wavelength.  If your concerns 
> include SWR, F/R and  bandwidth, the design flexibility provided 
> by the additional fixed  length elements will allow the antenna 
> with the "extra" elements to  outperform the four element design. 
> 
> However, if you remove  the constraint of fixed length elements 
> and bandwidth, the four  element antenna again becomes a valid 
> choice. 
> 
>  SteppIR's unique asset is the adjustable (tunable) element. 
> 
>  The three element SteppIR is a valid comparison to your C3 ... 
> the  SteppIR has half the elements on a boom that is two feet 
>  shorter.  Yet the SteppIR outperforms the C3 in model studies 
>  and range tests using the K7LXC/N0AX protocols. 
> 
> > The  SteppIR 3 element yagi vs Force 12 C-3E (74' above ground) 
>  >
> >                 C-3E           SteppIR     elev.
> >    Band   Gain   F/R     Gain   F/R 
> >     20       12.6    16     13.4      20        13 degrees
> >      17         10.3     7   13.8     21        10  degrees
> >     15          12.8    17     14.2     21   8 degrees 
> >     12   9.8     9      14.8     14.5       7 degrees
>  >     10         13.2     21     15.2     11       7 degrees 
> >      6       n/a        16.0   20         4 degrees 
>  >
> > The C-3E numbers are Force-12 published specifications and  
> > confirmed by modeling with AO.  The SteppIR numbers are  from 
> > modeling in AO/YO (6 meter values use the optional passive  
> > elements).  
> 
> 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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>  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.

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_______________________________________________

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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