Topband: SteppIR for Tophat?

[Joe Subich, K4IK]

> I've been wondering the same thing myself.  It depends on if 
> the centers of the parasitic elements are grounded to the boom 
> or not.
> 
> In either case, for maximum top loading the SteppIR antenna 
> would have to be set for its lowest frequency.

>From what I saw when they were in Orlando, the elements are not 
grounded ... other than the driven element which is connected 
the balun/unun and the coax shield.  

You might ask them  how to ground the parasitic elements since 
they do use the same housing, etc. for the verticals. 

> A friend uses a roof-mounted SteppIR vertical for 40-10m with 
> three radials for each band and works lots of DX with it but 
> unfortunately they don't have a model to cover 80 and 160m.

They are supposedly working on a version with switched coils 
for 80 meters (haven't heard about 160). 

73, 

   ... Joe, K4IK