I was not saying you or anyone else was critical of SteppIR. In fact, I
agree with you.
Mike W0MU
-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly Taylor [mailto:ve4xt@mts.net]
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 9:07 PM
To: w0mu
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Fw: BEST MEDIUM SIZED TRIBANDER BEAM FOR
CONTESTING?
Hi Mike,
Let me be perfectly clear on this.
I AM NOT CRITICAL OF THE STEPPIR!
Forget whatever other examples someone (or I) may raise: the truth is you
can get very, very good performance from antennas that aren't as expensive
as the SteppIR. Does that make the SteppIR bad? No. It merely points out
that even an excellent antenna is not perfect in every situation, or for
every budget.
(Of course, once you go to the 4-el, it's now $1,800.)
Is it such a strain to accept that?
73, kelly
ve4xt
----- Original Message -----
From: "w0mu" <w0mu@w0mu.com>
To: "'Kelly Taylor'" <ve4xt@mts.net>; <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 8:27 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Fw: BEST MEDIUM SIZED TRIBANDER BEAM FOR
CONTESTING?
>
> So we have 2 beams that are on 18 and 20 ft. booms. The C3/C4 has two
count
> em two active elements on each band 20-10m. The SteppIR has 3 active
> elements. Yes, the C4 has the 40m dipole. Yes you get instant
switching.
> If you are making zillions of 2nd radio contacts with the same antenna
then
> this could be important to you.
>
> I have not purchased the study done by N0AX and K7LXC but I think the
> SteppIR was one of the best tested.
>
> I am not up in arms. In a discussion, I would like some facts,
observations
> etc instead of just comments like the XYZ antenna is best.
>
> I have used stacked C3's and I can say that in my opinion the 4ele SteppIR
> is better. Yes the stack may be more flexible if rotatable. I can also
say
> that a single C3 was much better than the TH7 I owned.
>
> Obviously for contesting the warc bands don't come into play, but the
> operator may enjoy those bands which may make it a better choice than an
> antenna that does not offer those bands. Having 4 ele on 17m is quite
fun!
>
> The bi directional ability at times can be an advantage but I have found I
> need all the gain I can get in the forward direction to keep a run
> frequency. The ability to switch 180 degrees around has helped work
> stations of the back. I prefer to use receiving antennas for this but not
> everyone has that option.
>
> Most of the people that criticize the SteppIR have never used one.
>
> One area that has been missed is what happens in a failure situation with
> the SteppIR. The SteppIR has more failure points IMHO than a traditional
> aluminum yagi or tribander. You loose a motor in contest you could be in
> trouble. I would like to work with Fluid Motion in developing some
disaster
> recover plans that involve eliminating a broken element or similar. Many
> yagis will still function ok with tips broken off one side of a director.
> If you lose the controller during a contest you are in deep trouble unless
> you have a backup.
>
> The user needs to determine what is best for his/her type of operating.
>
> Mike W0MU
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kelly Taylor [mailto:ve4xt@mts.net]
> Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 2:44 PM
> To: w0mu
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Fw: BEST MEDIUM SIZED TRIBANDER BEAM FOR
> CONTESTING?
>
> Hi Mike,
>
> The 3-el Steppir is $1300. A C4S is $759.
>
> Yes, you get nearly instant reversability and you get customizable SWR on
> any frequency.
>
> But take that out of the equation for a moment and ask: is the performance
> of the Steppir $500 more than the C4? (It would need to be, in my books,
up
> by nearly 3dB.)
>
> Then add that you get 40 meters with the C4. Instant band changes (the
> Steppir does take some time). Then add that for that $500 difference, you
> can buy yourself an amp. Different folks do have different budgets.
>
> Then consider that if your sole purpose is HF contesting, you don't give a
> rat's you know what about WARC capability, where you cannot contest, or 6
> meters. So it's ability on those bands, or MARS frequencies, is moot.
>
> I'm not saying the Steppir is a bad antenna, or poorly engineered, or
making
> any criticism of those who have them (more power to you). But I am amazed
at
> how zealously some people get up in arms if someone suggests anything
that's
> the slightest bit less than enthusiastic praise of the Steppir.
>
> It's a great choice for certain circumstances. But it's not the best
choice
> for every circumstance.
>
> 73, kelly
> ve4xt
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "w0mu" <w0mu@w0mu.com>
> To: <keith@dutson.net>; <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 3:11 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Fw: BEST MEDIUM SIZED TRIBANDER BEAM FOR
> CONTESTING?
>
>
> > Curious what you think is a better contest single antenna and why?
> >
> > We are talking single Medium sized antennas.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> > [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Keith Dutson
> > Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 1:35 PM
> > To: towertalk@contesting.com
> > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Fw: BEST MEDIUM SIZED TRIBANDER BEAM FOR
> > CONTESTING?
> >
> > Since your budget seems to be unlimited, why not go for the SteppIR 4
> > element? It is not the best for contesting for probably for everything
> > else.
> >
> > 73 Keith NM5G
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> > [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Michael Mark
> > Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 11:12 AM
> > To: towertalk@contesting.com
> > Subject: [TowerTalk] Fw: BEST MEDIUM SIZED TRIBANDER BEAM FOR
CONTESTING?
> >
> > Thanks guys for your replys!
> >
> > I am currently using a TH3MK4. (XM240 & Sigma 180)
> >
> > My choices are:
> >
> > 1. F-12 C19-XR
> >
> > 2. Tennadyne Log
> >
> > 3. StepIR 3 or 4 element.
> >
> > What do you think?
> >
> > Winnipeg has cold winters as well and windy.
> >
> > Will be mounted on a 48' tower.
> >
> > Tnx!
> >
> > Mike, VE4MM
> >
> > ________________________
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Michael Mark
> > To: towertalk@contesting.com
> > Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 4:13 PM
> > Subject: BEST MEDIUM SIZED TRIBANDER BEAM FOR CONTESTING?
> >
> >
> > WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED TRIBANDER FOR CONTESTING? NO GREATER THAN 9
SQUARE
> > FEET OF WINDLOAD.
> >
> > TNX,
> >
> > MIKE, VE4MM
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > 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.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > TowerTalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > 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.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > TowerTalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > 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.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > TowerTalk mailing list
> > TowerTalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> 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.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
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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