[TowerTalk] New antenna system

Mon Nov 8 15:11:56 EST 2004

Well, not to get into a big debate, but what would be the opposite of an "appliance operator's
antenna"? Is it an antenna that needs constant tweaking and repairs to make it work as it should? If
being an "appliance operator's antenna" implies that even a non-technical "appliance operator" would
have no trouble using it, that doesn't sound all that bad to me... the last thing I want is to have
my antenna system giving me headaches!

And as far as "solving problems with a complex feed system".....is that something many of us really
find an attractive characteristic of antennas we fork over our scarce dollars for? Experimenting is
one thing.... frequent need for "solving problems" that shouldn't be there is something else.

And as for the SteppIR being "a bit pricey", I just checked the competition's prices and the SteppIR
is not the cheapest... but it is in the ballpark. I think it gives more overall performance for the
buck than anything else available... remembering that, as with most things, one gets what one pays
for, and it's the quality, performance, and overall value that really count.

Keith, my friend.... I bet you don't own a SteppIR yet :-)

73,  Jerry K3BZ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Keith Dutson" <kjdutson at earthlink.net>
To: "TowerTalk" <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 2:28 PM
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] New antenna system

Yes, it is an excellent appliance operator's antenna, although a bit pricey.
Also detrimental to have support if one is not adept at solving problems
associated with a complex feed system.

Keith NM5G

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Joe - WDØM
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 12:49 PM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] New antenna system

Having an extended product line isn't what is important.  SteppIR antennas
cover all bands from 20 - 6 meters, and have essentially a monoband yagi on
each band, with an SWR of 1:1.  You only need one antenna to do all that.
Customer service is also a BIG selling point with SteppIR.  I've had
personal phone calls from the president of SteppIR when I mentioned a
problem I was having on the SteppIR reflector.  Anyone using any other yagis
that can say that?  I have a friend who had a problem with one of the
elements, and SteppIR sent 3 replacements, no charge, and he resolved his
problem.  Talk about service??!!

I've owned a bunch of beams over my 43 years as a ham, and the SteppIR is
the best thing to come along.  Definitely a keeper.  I restarted my DXCC
just 10 months ago due to relocating from Alaska to Colorado - in that time,
in casual operating, I've worked 231 entities on 20 - 10 meters, and
39 states on 6 meters as well, all on one coaxial cable.  Not bad.

Choose the SteppIR, and you'll never regret it.  I'm sure you'll get lots of
recommendations from other satisfied SteppIR owners....and join the SteppIR
reflector while you're at it:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SteppIR/

73,
Joe
WDØM

At 09:44 AM 11/8/2004, Keith Dutson wrote:
>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.
>
>_______________________________________________
>TowerTalk mailing list
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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.
>
>_______________________________________________
>TowerTalk mailing list
>TowerTalk at contesting.com
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

_______________________________________________

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.

_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

_______________________________________________

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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