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Re: [TowerTalk] antenna choices

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] antenna choices
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists@subich.com>
Date: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 17:42:32 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>

Here are some model comparisons for various SteppIR models vs. other
"multi-monoband" yagis done at various times several (8 - 10) years
ago:

Here is a comparison of the three and four element SteppIR for a height
of 74' (22.5 m) above ground.  A dipole will have about 8.2 dBi gain at
this height.

               3 element       4 element              elev.
   Band        Gain   F/R     Gain     F/R
    20         13.4    20     15.0     20        13 degrees
    17         13.8    21     15.7     22        10 degrees
    15         14.2    21     16.1     22         8 degrees
    12         14.8    14.5   16.2     22         7 degrees
    10         15.2    11     16.6     11         7 degrees
     6         16.0    20     18.7     20         4 degrees


The SteppIR 4 element yagi vs. Force 12 C-31XR:

                 C-31XR         SteppIR             elev.
   Band        Gain   F/R     Gain     F/R
    20         14.0    20     15.0     20        13 degrees
    17             n/a        15.7     22        10 degrees
    15         14.3    22     16.1     22         8 degrees
    12             n/a        16.2     22         7 degrees
    10         15.6    21     16.6     11         7 degrees
     6             n/a        18.7     20         4 degrees

The C-31XR 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).  Gain is given in dBi with antenna 74 feet (22.5
meters) above ground.  At this height a dipole will have about
8 dBi of gain at the elevation angle shown above.


The SteppIR 3 element yagi vs. Force 12 C-3E
                 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).


The SteppIR 3 element yagi vs. 8 element LP on 18' boom in free space:

                LP            SteppIR
Band        Gain   F/R     Gain     F/R
 20          5.0   9.2      7.4     25
 17          4.9  12.3      8.3     25
 15          4.8  13.0      8.5     20
 12          5.0  14.9      8.8     15
 10          5.1  14.5      9.0     11
  6             n/a        10.1     20

The Log Periodic is a simplified model of an 8 element design on an 18 foot boom. It should be comparable to the CushCraft ASL-2010 or the Tennadyne T-8. K9LA's work with the T-6 shows about .5 db less gain for the shorter antenna. Preliminary (unverified) results for a 10 element (LP) model on a longer boom show about .8 dB additional gain
and 1-2 dB improved F/R.


Optibeam OB11-5 20' boom vs. 3 element SteppIR

Using Optibeam's claimed gain and Front to Back we have:

                Optibeam        SteppIR             elev.
   Band        Gain   F/R     Gain     F/R
    20         12.7    22     13.4     20        13 degrees
    17         13.0    22     13.8     21        10 degrees
    15         13.2    20     14.2     21         8 degrees
    12         13.4    19     14.8     14.5       7 degrees
    10         14.5    19     15.2     11         7 degrees
     6             n/a        16.0     20         4 degrees

Optibeam has a 6 meter (20' boom) vs. a 4.8 meter (16' boom).
Optibeam has 11 elements (three are "triple" elements) vs. three for
SteppIR.  Optibeam has 15.8 sq. ft. wind load vs. 6.1 sq ft. for the
SteppIR and the Optibeam weighs 86 pounds vs. 42 pounds for the
SteppIR.

73,

  ... Joe, W4TV


On 2015-04-07 4:41 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
On Tue,4/7/2015 1:25 PM, john@kk9a.com wrote:
That is very interesting data!  Has anyone modeled a SteppIR with a
comparable boom length?

Google found these. When I was making my purchase decision, I saw other
work that looked like it was well done.

http://p02.de/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/steppIR_Ms_ENGL_REV16DEC10.pdf

http://www.k6sgh.com/antennas/steppir%20study.htm

http://www.k6if.com/steppir/steppir_4el.html

73, Jim K9YC
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