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Re: [TowerTalk] LP v SteppIR

To: "'Tower and HF antenna construction topics.'" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] LP v SteppIR
From: "Doug Turnbull" <turnbull@net1.ie>
Reply-to: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics." <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:08:29 -0000
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
How does one stack two log periodic antennas which operate over such a wide
range of frequencies?   I thought the stacking distance was dependent on the
frequency.   Now if one is using them so that one can take advantage of
signals arriving at different angles that is a different consideration.

The SteppIR does have a very quick 2/3 second reverse pattern feature which
is a dream to use in contests and the additional FB ratio is especially
handy in these conditions.   The SteppIR can also be used for dual direction
work.   How does the wind loading of a 4 element SteppIR compare to the LP
which offers roughly the equivalent performance of a two element Yagi.  

I suppose there is no one answer for us all but SteppIR has certainly added
a new consideration to our choice.   

            73 Doug EI2CN 



-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of rlvz@aol.com
Sent: 22 January 2010 16:24
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] LP v SteppIR

 
If your a contester and your tower can handle the extra weight and  
windload... I like Buddy's idea.  Having stacked antennas offers tremendous
"take 
off angle" and "dual direction" advantages that far outweigh the  extra 1-2 
dB gain of the SteppIR.  Having the 2nd antenna at the better  take off 
angle or pointed in the right direction could easily give a 10dB  advantage.

(unless you stack SteppIRs)
 
One of my 3-element SteppIR motors kicked the bucket when only  about 6 
months old... I didn't enjoy having to drop the antenna and wait  for parts.

That said, it was a great antenna when it  worked.  
 
73,
Dick- K9OM
 
 
 
In a message dated 1/22/2010 8:50:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,  
gdadx2@clearwire.net writes:

Doug  & others,

I am going to put up a new antenna this spring, and my  choices came down 
to 
either a LP, such as the T-10, or a 3-element  SteppIR.
I decided on the T-10 for several reasons.   The main  reason being I don't 
desire moving parts, little wires and motors at 75  feet.  We get plenty of 
lightning during the summer here so it would  only be a matter of time 
before 
something happened.  Weather is the  main reason I ruled out a quad also, 
too 
much freezing rain during the  winter.
Secondly, the SteppIR is too expensive;  I could stack 2 T-8's  for about 
the same price.   Additionally, my operating style is  one of jumping from 
band to band, and I don't want to have to tune my  antenna every time I 
change bands, even if it takes a short amount of  time.  I think that would 
get old rather quickly.
Like  transceivers, all antennas have pros and cons, what works for me 
might 
not  work for you.  I just want an antenna I can put up and pretty much  
forget about.

73 Buddy WB4M

--- Original Message -----  
From: "Doug Turnbull" <turnbull@net1.ie>
To: "'Tower and HF  antenna construction topics.'" 
<towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent:  Friday, January 22, 2010 4:39 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] LP v  SteppIR


> Gentlemen,
>     I wonder what  the attraction of the LP is when one can use a SteppIR.
> Am I wrong to  believe that the Fwd gain and FB are better for a Yagi of 
> the
>  same number of elements tuned to the frequency of interest than an LP?  
> Is
> it not the case that LP antennas have a lot of metal and  hence wind 
> loading
> for what they achieve?   Wind  loading is as important to me as gain and
> directivity.   It  is a big balancing act.   Granted the SteppIR has a 
good
> bit  of electronics but in my experience they seem to be reliable. 
>  Perhaps
> the SteppIR is more expensive for the same performance but  Aluminum is
> pretty dear.
>
>     I am not  trying to start a 'barney' but these are just my thoughts 
and
> it may  be that some one can correct me.   I believe that SteppIR has  
> changed
> the entire technology and past  equations.
>
>               73 Doug EI2CN
>
> -----Original  Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
>  [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of  
brahmangou@aol.com
> Sent: 22 January 2010 02:24
> To:  towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Single Tower, All  Band Solution ?
>
> You need to take a look at the Tennadyne T-8  log periodic. I have 8 
towers
> and have run most every antenna design  at one time or another and it is 
> one
> of  my favorites. 5  bands, cw to ssb (try that with a trapped antenna),
> instant band   switching, no matching network, light and really low cost.
> 73,
>  AB5GU
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