Re: [TowerTalk] New antenna system

["Floyd Sense" <fsense@copper.net>]

Well, as a new SteppIR owner, I can't resist inserting myself into this 
"lovefest".  While the SteppIR is certainly a good product and their 
customer service is indeed first-rate, it seems to me that a cult has 
developed around the SteppIR that doesn't tolerate any negative comments or 
thoughts.  When I obtain a new product, I usually try to learn as much as 
possible about how it works and what its limitations are - and there are 
always limitations.  Reading the comments on this forum would lead one to 
believe that there are none with the SteppIR, but that would be incorrect.

When checking out my new 3 element SteppIR, I noticed that the SWR was 
higher at one point on one band than elsewhere.  So, I used the controller 
function to change the length of the driven element to reduce the SWR and 
sure enough, that worked just as expected.  So then I thought - why not do 
the same for the driven element on all the segments of all the "antennas" in 
the controller.  In doing that, I found that the controller software is not 
capable of storing all those changes to just one element per "antenna".  If 
you are a real modeler/experimenter figuring to play around with different 
antenna definitions, how many experimental antennas can you configure and 
store?  Apparently, not many - a known problem in the software (known to FM, 
not to you).  Researching this problem led me to another after chatting with 
FM support.  Oddly enough, the antenna dimensions FOR THE EXACT SAME 
FREQUENCY IN THE EXACT SAME BAND are DIFFERENT when you are in "Amateur" 
mode vs. "General Freq" mode.  What's more, the dimensions for at least one 
point on one band are better in the Amateur mode than in the General mode. 
So what?  Well, if you're using the PC or your rig to control the SteppIR 
frequency, you MUST run the controller in General mode.

When I asked a related question on the SteppIR Yahoo forum, one wag 
explained to me that a .3 dB difference is insignificant.  It certainly is 
to me, but I'll bet it isn't to you if you're interested in implementing 
your modeling results.

The SteppIR has a few other "warts" that you won't read about, but no need 
to go into them here.  I'm just amazed that it took this long for someone to 
come up with this revolutionary design at an affordable price.  But my 
amazement doesn't blind me to the shortcomings.

Just to keep to the purpose of this reflector, my new SteppIR sits on top of 
a guyed Rohn 25 and all of the new and used pieces/parts of the tower 
installation were obtained from folks on this reflector.

K8AC 


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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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