Readers interested in the merits of Steppir antennas may be interested in
the
following observations and predictions:
1. Yagi type antennas (fixed element length) have been used for many years
with variations benefitting from different manufacturers and users
experience. Except for the newlly announced Steppir DB36 and a
controller the original design and hardware has not changed.
2. I expect that we will see a beefed up tape, better fitting element
tubing,
stronger ehu's, and protection for the drive circuit which will reduce
failures. And in addition will allow a 2 element 80 Steppir to also
be
reliable.
3. I don't know what improvement the new controller provides but I
expect to see a far more versatile one.
4. Perhaps an option to include more elements so that the spacing
between elements could be varied by choosing among them for
the higher frequencies.
These will not replace the big boy's multi=tower, stacked, long boom
monobanders but would appeal to the rest of us.
k7puc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rudy Severns" <@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 9:50 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Steppir antennas
> I'd like to pass on my experience with several SteppIR antennas. Some
> years
> ago I won one of the original SteppIR dipoles at the NW DX convention.
> After using it for a while I moved on to one of the early three element
> 20m+
> arrays and a couple of years ago to the monster SteppIR with three
> elements
> on 40m and 30m and 4 elements on 20m+.
>
> My initial reaction to the dipole was "this Rube Goldberg can't possibly
> work!" The monster SteppIR is an order of magnitude more complicated that
> the original SteppIR's and is certainly not for the mechanically
> challenged
> when it comes to assembly. My opinion has still not changed, these
> antennas
> cannot possibly work.
>
> However, time and experience have cast some doubt on that opinion. After
> several years and several antennas, I have yet to have a failure. These
> contraptions have worked flawlessly for me. My QTH is a high wind
> environment being on a hilltop in western Oregon but I rarely have much
> ice
> loading.
>
> I'm not suggesting anyone buy one of these but since I saw a good of
> conversation on the reflector about these antennas and thought I would add
> my experience for anyone interested.
>
> 73, Rudy N6LF
>
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