When first starting out in ham radio back in 1955 I started with a small 3
element yagi tribander on a Radio Shack push up mast on the roof of my
parents house and was happy with it for many years earning my DXCC and then
some. The next step was to go to an A4 which also worked great.
However, as time goes on you learn to want more and better things, as now I
have a 3 element SteppIR up 80 feet in a tree and a C31XR with a 402CD above
on 75 foot tower and a F12 30/40 on the ground waiting to go up in a 100
foot tree. There is no comparison in performance between the larger
antennas and the A4, however there is no comparision with the cost either!!
Byron, if you can afford it go with the SteppIR, you will not regret it. If
you can't afford it at this stage in your life go with the A4, you will
enjoy it also.
73,
Roger, W7VV
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Joe - WDØM
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2005 09:30 PM
To: TowerTalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Small Yagi Advice
I'll bite. And I certainly don't mean to dissuade you of your opinion.
Band changes, although not instantaneous with the SteppIR, take only a
matter of seconds. Its not that you don't/can't hear anything when you
switch bands - you do. But when the match is made, the rush of sound from
the speaker/headphones is amazing.
Yes, the cost is more. Is it worth it? If you can accept the price, the
resounding answer is yes. Are they in the same category? Yes if you are
speaking of the number of elements.
Are they in the same performance category? No. The SteppIR will
outperform the Cushcraft on SWR, F/B and gain on all bands, adds 6 meter
capability, as well as offering the ability to re-tune elements and provide
virtually instant 180 degree reversal of direction. Nice features - and
yes, you pay for them.
Yes, I own a SteppIR, and have owned a Cushcraft (as well as Mosley,
Hy-gain and others) in the past, and I wouldn't go back.
73 and have fun deciding Byron! Its great to have choices.......
Joe
WDØM
At 03:12 PM 6/5/2005, Jim W7RY wrote:
>In my humble opinion, the StepIR is just not worth the money! Not to
>mention no quick band changes. I think that the StepIR is WAY over rated.
>
>$950 for a 2 element and $1300 for a 3 element is to much to pay for an
>antenna. If you need the WARC bands, perhaps.
>
>A Cushcraft A3 is $429 and the A4 is $569 and a Hy-Gain TH3MK3 $469 (HRO
>prices).
>
>As the question stated, he wanted antennas is the category of the A-3.
>
>73
>Jim W7RY
>
>
>
>
> At 01:46 PM 6/5/2005, Bob Kellow, W5LT wrote:
> >I would also suggest the 2 element SteppIR yagi, if the 3 element is too
> >large for your application.
> >It is lighter weight, lower wind load, and has a <5 ft boom, and nearly
the
> >same performance.
> >See: www.steppir.com
> >
> >Bob, W5LT
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Byron Tatum [mailto:bjtatum@ev1.net]
> >Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2005 8:11 AM
> >To: TowerTalk@contesting.com
> >Subject: [TowerTalk] Small Yagi Advice
> >
> >Hello-
> > I want to ask for advice regarding the selection of a 3 or 4 element
> >tribander. I had used for a number of years the Cushcraft A-3 and was
> >pleased. Since I will have a couple of long VHF antennas above the
tribander
> >I am trying to keep the size and weight of it to a manageable level,
whereby
> >I can still push up the mast.
> > I have studied the Cushcraft A4-S and it looks like it would be a
> little
> >better than my old A-3, but I wanted to ask about other antennas in this
> >general category.
> > Thanks, Byron WA5THJ.
_______________________________________________
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
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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.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
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