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Re: [TowerTalk] Fw: SteppIR problem

To: "Ron Todd" <ron@k4wz.com>, <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Fw: SteppIR problem
From: "Jerry Keller" <k3bz@arrl.net>
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 22:49:03 -0400
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
There is no "larger cable".... SteppIR does recommend the optional 33v power 
supply if the control cable will exceed 200 feet.
73, Jerry K3BZ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Todd" <ron@k4wz.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:18 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Fw: SteppIR problem


> SteppIR says over 200 feet you need the larger cable and the 33V  supply.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <john@kk9a.com>
> To: <TOWERTALK@contesting.com>
> Cc: <ah6fc@yahoo.com>
> Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] SteppIR problem
>
>
>> The discussion on this has been very interesting and informative.  Most
>> feel
>> the cable length is the problem due to either excessive resistance or
>> capacitance.  Larger wire would help if the problem was voltage loss, but
>> what can you do if the problem is capacitance from the long run?  I am
>> looking at the SteppIR website and I see only one size 12 conductor cable
>> listed.  It states that you need a 33 volt power supply for runs over 200
>> feet.    They should really show a maximum cable length for using 33
>> volts.
>> Perhaps with a 500 foot of their cable run you need even more voltage.
>> Are
>> you using a 33 volt supply?
>>
>> John KK9A
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>> Subject: [TowerTalk] SteppIR problem
>> From: Bill Carnett <ah6fc@yahoo.com>
>> Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2007 08:41:54 -0700 (PDT)
>> List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
>>
>> Greetings to all Tower Talkers,
>>
>> A very wise man and fellow TT (K7LXC) suggested I post
>> my challenge here to the group...maybe somebody will
>> have a new idea that I've not explored.
>>
>> Last week we put up a new 4L SteppIR with a 40/30
>> dipole.  The antenna is approximately 500 feet from
>> the shack.  SteppIR control line is used, continously
>> without any accessories inserted, running through 3
>> inch conduit (not that that makes any difference).
>> Prior to lifting it in the air I found that a problem
>> existed.  When attempts were made to change bands or
>> even frequency on the same band, the control box went
>> dead.  Simultaneously, as the box died, the "on"
>> indicator light on the pwr supply went out.  A second
>> later the pwr light came back on; the led "lights" on
>> the control box flashed once but the box remained off.
>> The box could be turned back on, but the same
>> sequence occurred if a band/freq change was attempted.
>>
>>
>> Immediately all of the wiring and continuity was
>> checked with the antenna...all ok.  Spoke with Jerry
>> at SteppIR and we proceeded to change first control
>> box....before I realized the pwr supply was
>> faltering....no change.
>>
>> The next step was to attempt to run each motor
>> individually and in groups.  Each motor ran
>> individually without problem.  Adding the 2nd and 3rd
>> motor caused no problems....the yagi functioned fine.
>> The addition of the 4th motor (didn't matter which
>> sequence), consistently killed the antenna. On
>> occassion it would all seem to work for a couple of
>> band changes but never more than 1 or 2 minutes - with
>> all 4 motors running. So, with up to 3 motors
>> running...all ok, with all 4, no go.  However, this is
>> a 4 element yagi.  After speaking again with Jerry, I
>> was reassured that the problem was simply a power
>> supply and all will work fine....thus the long
>> scheduled antenna raising event went forward as
>> scheduled.  Needless-to-say, the replacement power
>> supply did not correct the problem.
>>
>> Prior to erecting the yagi I extended the elements to
>> 14150 so it can be used as a monobander...but that
>> will only bring temporary happiness.  A power supply
>> (3rd) was "hand picked" by the SteppIR engineers,
>> sent, and tested this morning.  Basically the same
>> problem.  It did seem to work briefly then shut
>> down....exactly the same as before.
>>
>> So, I'm looking for ideas that have been overlooked.
>> Yes, I should have listened to my gut, rather than the
>> "experts" and canceled the raising until all problems
>> were fixed, but that can't be undone.  If this beast
>> must be lowered, I'm a bit reluctant to put it back up
>> after this experience.  Yes, all antennas have
>> problems but it would be less $$ to replace it at the
>> time of lowering rather then taking down, bring the
>> crane back and forth, etc.
>>
>> Sorry for the long-windedness of this but any and all
>> thoughts are appreciated!
>>
>>
>>
>> 73, Bill
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
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