[TowerTalk] Re: [FCG] HF LOG-PERIODIC ANTENNAS Comments Please

[Joe]

Sounds like Force 12 propaganda...check their web site.   ;-)  Then check 
the SteppIR web site.  Interesting comparisons.  My momma always told me 
not to step on someone to make myself look taller.

My SteppIR works like a champ, and, based upon ownership and demonstrated 
performance over decades of playing radio, is head and shoulders above all 
the multi-band aluminum beams (Mosely, HyGain, Cushcraft) I've owned in the 
past.  I've never observed such a dramatic F/B ratio.  And it goes without 
saying that the instant reverse isn't available in any other antenna 
(except perhaps for a vertical, and to a limited degree, a dipole).

I really enjoy the "bi-directional" performance on 6 meters, since I can 
listen in two directions at once for band openings, then push the button to 
aim the beam instantaneously where the signal is coming from.  I don't 
think you can match the weight of the single, all band 20 - 6 meter SteppIR 
against the multitude of Force 12's (or any other manufacturer) needed to 
achieve that combination.  I'll never go back.

Compromise?  Well, that's pretty much the case for any particular antenna 
ever made.  More than likely, it will always be the case unless you have 
deep enough pockets.  It's interesting to note that US military forces are 
now buying SteppIRs, along with the US State Department, for use around the 
world.

Above all, I place the guys at SteppIR at the absolute pinnacle when it 
comes to customer service.  Of all the dealers/manufacturers I've dealt 
with in 43 years of playing radio, the fully understand customer service 
and respond unflinchingly when a question comes up, explanations are 
needed, or something doesn't go right.

My station:  Icom 756Pro, Alpha 87a, Palstar AT4K tuner...blah blah 
blah....and a great antenna:  SteppIR 4 element with 2 passive elements for 6m.

Everyone's antenna is always the best, because they made the decision 
to  buy it....right?

73,
Joe
WDØM

At 03:50 PM 6/22/2004, Keith Dutson wrote:
> >Ten Tec Orion, Alpha 87A and the 4 element SteppIR
>
>Nice station!
>
>Your SteppIR must have the complicated matching network to work for all
>bands since element positioning is a compromise with the design.  This
>network is lossy.
>
>By contrast, a Force 12 multi-monoband has no such compromise and no
>associated loss.
>
>Give me the Force 12 antenna for simplicity, strength and light weight.
>
>BTW, my station:
>Icom 775DSP, Alpha 87A, Force 12 C-4XL (soon to be a stack of C-4XL, C3,
>C-4XL, C3 on 150 foot tower).
>
>Keith WD5DXL