[TowerTalk] New antenna system

[Jerry Keller]

Rob, that 1 hour response from the folks at SteppIR is pretty typical of the kind of customer
service they provide. You will never regret your decision to go with a SteppIR yagi, I've had mine
up a year and it is truly the best performing antenna I've ever had in 40+ years of hamming. I was a
little skeptical at first, especially looking at the price tag, but serious HF antennas from Force
12 and others cost big bucks too. After considering all the rest I concluded that all the other
multi-band yagis have to compromise to some extent... they may have a dozen or more elements, but
still only 2 or 3 on each band...whereas the SteppIR actually gives you a 3 element monobander on
each of those bands, tunable even within a band, PLUS you can hook it up to your radio so it will
follow along seamlessly as you tune around or change bands. I think the SteppIR concept is the most
important antenna design development since the invention of the yagi itself, and I have lots of
company... check out (and join) the SteppIR YahooGroup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SteppIR/
and you'll find a great bunch (over 600 happy users and growing) who will be happy to answer your
questions and share info on the SteppIR antennas.
73,  Jerry K3BZ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Keith Dutson" <kjdutson at earthlink.net>
To: "TowerTalk" <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 11:44 AM
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] New antenna system


> Force 12 is a long-established antenna development company that plows much
> of their income back into developing new antennas.  SteppIR has an excellent
> design and is trying to get a foothold in the industry.  For a comparison of
> the two take a look at the number of products offered by each.
>
> Interesting comment about your decision to change from Force 12 to SteppIR
> and others based on returned phone call.  I presume SteppIR must not have
> answered your questions adequately or you would not be asking here.
>
> Keith NM5G
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Rob Santello
> Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 4:10 AM
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] New antenna system
>
> Hello all,
>
>   I'm new to the list. I originally sent this to the Force 12 list and it
> was suggested that I send it here for all you to see and send comments or
> suggestions you'd like. Here is my original message:
>
> Would like opinions and advice,
>
>   I am going to put up an LM-354 54 foot tower on a relatively small lot.
> At first I was thinking about going with an XR-5 and EF-606 with my old
> Cushcraft 11 element 2m beam on the top. But after 4 or 5 attempts to talk
> with a tech at Force 12 (never returned my calls), I'm thinking about going
> a different route. Here is my current plan: I have a 12 foot mast and I'll
> put 3 feet of it into the tower into a Tailtwister. Right on top of the
> tower I'll mount a 3 element SteppIR (They returned my call within an hour).
> So that now leaves about 8 feet of mast. At the top I want either a
> Cushcraft D40 or Force 12 EF-140. Both seem to be nearly identical in size,
> weight, performance, and price. Anyone know which is the better antenna
> here? Then somewhere in between, I'll mount the 11 element 2m beam. I'm
> thinking the 2m beam wont interfere too badly in the middle. Probably about
> 5 feet above the SteppIR and 3 feet below the 40m dipole. Does this sound
> reasonable? That setup will give me 40 - 2 meters. I'm not an "antenna guy"
> so that's why I'm looking for help here. I just want to get the most I can
> get in this small space. Thanks in advance for any thoughts and/or advice!
> I'd really appreciate it!
> --rob--
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> 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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> _______________________________________________
>
> 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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