[Towertalk] Seeking input for new antenna.

[n4kg@juno.com]

Yes, the XR5 is 2L per band.  Actually a very good simple design.
You can line reflectors up by band with little destructive interaction.
the problem is with directors.  That's where traps or close spaced
sleeved elements come into play.  

The XR7 is a good 18 ft boom design with full size reflectors for 
15 and 20 (10M not needed due to directivity of the LP DE Cell).  
The trapped director gets away from interaction problems.  The 
28 ft boom X9 had less than 1 dB more gain so doesn't seem worth 
the hastle.  Another featureof the X7 is it's robust construction.  
Nice cost effective antenna.  Power should not be an issue with
the DE but as you mentioned, but the balun may be a concern.
Ask CC or see if someone is interested in performing a destructive
test :-).

I expect the XR5 is comparable to a good LP on the 5 high bands.
LP's are another good alternative.  Probably takes a longer boom
to realize better gain and of course that means higher windload.

The SteppIR-3 looks very interesting.  The boom is a little short
on 20M (1 dB down from a 24 ft boom) but a good compromise
for the 5 bands and of course the parasitics can be optimized
for each band.  Should be a solid performer.  The jury is out
on durability.  Probably the most bang for windload.

The 5 Band Quads seem to be pretty good, especially if you
use separate feedlines. See W4RNL's website for good designs.
This may be the most cost effective solution.  Make sure you
use strong spreaders that can handle  ICE loading. (There
goes the cost :-)

ALL good choices.  It comes down to personal preferences
and secondary tradeoffs (price, windload, construction, etc.)

Let us know what you decide.

73 / GL,  Tom  N4KG



On Fri, 10 May 2002 11:32:34 -0400 "Carl -K8AV" <cfwb@cox.net> writes:
> Hi Tom,
> 
>             Thank you for your input.  It appears in reading the 
> spec's for
> the XR-5, that it has 10 elements but only operates with "2 full 
> size for each
> band".  If this is true it concerns me. My friend Tedd, KB8NW, has 
> the X7 that
> I helped put up about a year ago.  He loves it however he has made 
> many
> contacts on 12/17 but is afraid to use other than 100 watts as the 
> SWR is a
> little high.  Maybe it's a balun concern...
> 
> I have had many good reports on the 3 el SteppIR.  I guess with the 
> 3
> elements, adjustable, it does a great job on the 12/17 bands.  
> Yesterday I
> went to a friends house that has one.  I was impressed by the 
> quality of how
> the control box was made.  He loves his!  I'm concerned about "down 
> the road"
> problems with all the electronics and moving parts...
> 
> Thanks again for your input Tom.  Have a good weekend & 73,
> Carl
> ************************************************
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <n4kg@juno.com>
> To: <cfwb@cox.net>
> Sent: Friday, May 10, 2002 6:07 AM
> Subject: Re: [Towertalk] Seeking input for new antenna.
> 
> 
> > I believe all 5 of the listed antennas to be of good design.
> > The XR5 and SteppIR-3 should have more gain on 12 /17.
> > Although CC does not advertise the X7 as a WARC antenna,
> > I know people who use it there with good results.  Makes
> > sense, since the DE is a 4 element Log Cell.  You might
> > need a tuner on the WARC bands.  I would recommend
> > the C3E over the C3 (additional 10M reflector).
> >
> > Tom  N4KG
> >
> > On Thu, 9 May 2002 "Carl -K8AV" <cfwb@cox.net> writes:
> >
> > > So I have been looking at:
> > >
> > > Force 12  XR-5
> > >
> > > Force 12  C-3
> > >
> > > Force 12  C-19XR
> > >
> > > Cushcraft  X7
> > >
> > > Fluidmotion  SteppIR 3 element yagi  (I'm thinking this might do
> > > well!)
> > >
> > > Any input appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance for your time and 73,
> > > Carl  -K8AV-
> > >
> > >
> >
> > ________________________________________________________________
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> 


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