Don't avoid the SteppIR, consider the NN4ZZ tilt plate so all antenna
assembly and maintenance can be conducted with your boots on the
ground. Requires a tiltable tower but is safer than climbing or over
time less expensive than hiring everything done, renting lifts etc.
Patrick NJ5G
On 4/6/2015 5:51 PM, Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:
On 4/6/2015 3:46 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
On Mon,4/6/2015 12:10 PM, Alfred Watson via TowerTalk wrote:
I am thinking about a newer (maybe better) HF antenna. I have now a
T-11 LPA from Tennadyne.
I've always had good results with hy gain and never owned an opti beam.
Any thoughts on a TH-11 vs an Opti beam OB 9-5.
Both offer the same bands. 10,15,20,17,12.
I have a 3-el SteppIR (the original) with the added fixed element for
6M. The antenna covers 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, and 6. It's an optimized
3-el on each band (and even at each part of each band). It's been up
for about 5 years, and I've never had a problem that I could blame on
the antenna. It's quite light for the gain -- K6XX, who does all of
my climbing, was easily able to handle it by himself. This antenna,
and the original 4-el are mature designs. The 4-el gives another dB
or so.
The 3-3l SteppIR "trombone" antennas will give you gain on 30 and 40M
as well. They are MUCH heavier, and the mechanical designs are not as
mature (although they seem to be getting there). Several of my
friends own them and are happy campers.
The only other antennas I would consider are the Force12 XR-series
antennas. Unfortunately their website doesn't give any specs.
I have the C19XR. IF I can find the manual, I'll post what it says.
As I can no longer do my antenna work, I avoided the SteppIR, but
would give it a go otherwise. The C19XR is on sawhorses behind the
house, waiting for the LM470 to be raised after the concrete cures.
The previous owner made top of the DXCC list (5 band, I think), but
he had a lot more dedication than I do.
73
Roger (K8RI)
73, Jim K9YC
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