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Re: [TowerTalk] Quad vs SteppIR

To: "Richard (Rick) Karlquist (N6RK)" <richard@karlquist.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Quad vs SteppIR
From: Joe Giacobello <k2xx@swva.net>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 20:32:18 -0400
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Rick, I'm not sure what you mean by directive, but there's no doubt that quads have poorer F/B than Yagis. Quads seem to have a very narrow frequency range over which the F/B peaks, but across the rest of the band it's at least 10 dB poorer than a Yagi, if not more. Nevertheless, I am using a four element, five band quad on a 24 ft. boom, and the model shows that forward gain is at least equivalent to a three element monoband Yagi on 20M and better on the higher frequency bands where the boom length is longer.

I am also not thrilled with the common feed approach that Mike uses. Lew McCoy, in his review of LB quads indicated some interactions between harmonically related bands, i.e. 10 and 20 meters, but I believe that the feed system has been modified since then. I use separate feeds for each band via a remote switch and my experiences have been excellent. I have to admit that I've not done actual A/B testing on quads vs Yagis, but my on the air experiences indicate that they are quite competitive.

I use LB parts in my home-brew quads, and they are of excellent quality. Mike also gives attentive, personalized service.

Finally, I would say that a multiband quad is an easy way to get the equivalent of multiple monoband Yagis on a single, (relatively) simple support structure. There's a lot to be said for that.


73, Joe




Richard (Rick) Karlquist (N6RK) wrote:

I have a Lightning Bolt quad and a 4 element SteppIR.
My experience is the same, the SteppIR is way more
directive than the quad.  Before the quad, I had a
KT34.  It was also more directive than the quad.
I only got the quad because it covered the WARC bands.

Rick N6RK



Subject: [TowerTalk] Quad vs SteppIR


I took down my Lightning Bolt quad, which had been on a 70 ft tower for 9 years. I replaced it with the 3 el SteppIR.

The first thing I noticed on 20M, was that I had to point the antenna in
the direction I wanted to talk instead of just aiming it north





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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.

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