I already had a 5 element M Squared 6 meter beam, so I didn't add the
6 meter DIRECTOR (sorry) to my SteppIR. Whenever I did a comparison
between the two antennas the 5 element monoband beam was noticeably
better than the 3 element SteppIR, as you would expect.
SteppIR's specs show nearly 4dB more gain and more than 20 dB added
F/B with the passive element on six meters. The *current* M2inc 5
element designs claim 1.5 to 2 dB more gain than the "3 element"
SteppIR with passive element so comparing the "3 element" SteppIR
without the passive element to *any* of the 5 element M2 six meter
yagis is really "stacking the deck" <G>!
> Every antenna installation is a compromise.
An absolute truism!
> In my case, with the separate 6 meter antenna, I have an additional
> feedline to deal with, taking an extra position on my antenna
> switch.
Plus load on the mast/tower and installation/construction/maintenance
issues due to the stacked antennas. In addition, one never knows to
what extent performance of the antennas in a stack are impacted by the
presence of the other antennas. At least with the SteppIR one can
"home" the elements of the SteppIR to prevent it from impacting a
separate six meter antenna.
Anecdotally however, CX7TT has worked several station off the moon
with a parasitic element equipped 3 element SteppIR.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 4/20/2013 9:15 AM, Rick Stealey wrote:
Let me clarify my statement, because Joe is right, there is no disagreement.
If you get a 3 element SteppIR and are serious about 6 meters, by all means go
for the
added element. Even though the 3 original elements are on a 16 foot boom, the
spacing
is too great. 4 or 5 elements are needed to get very good performance on 6
meters with
a 16 foot boom.
I already had a 5 element M Squared 6 meter beam, so I didn't add the 6 meter
DIRECTOR (sorry) to my SteppIR. Whenever I did a comparison between the two
antennas the 5 element monoband beam was noticeably better than the 3 element
SteppIR, as you would expect.
Every antenna installation is a compromise. In my case, with the separate 6
meter antenna, I have an additional feedline to deal with, taking an extra
position on my antenna switch. I get
marginally better performance than four 6 meter elements on a SteppIR
(probably). On the
other hand I can instantly switch to 6 meters and see if there is any activity,
etc. The cost is
somewhat more, too (M Squared antennas aren't cheap).
Rick K2XT
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