[TowerTalk] New antenna system

Mon Nov 8 15:47:05 EST 2004

Hi Keith,

Yup - have to admit - I haven't built a transceiver/transmitter for many a 
year, ergo, I'm an appliance operator.  Kits, yes, but not from 
scratch.  As for antennas, I have 6 other antennas besides the SteppIR that 
I have built, my latest being a Beverage for 160/80/40.

Perhaps you meant to say support is "critical" for the antenna?  I have to 
agree - the Mosley Pro57B I had until recently was an antenna for which I 
couldn't even get Mosley to respond to my request for assistance, even when 
I called.  The quality control was abysmal -missing and bent parts, and 
parts that would not fit.  Never had a problem with SteppIR - the guys are 
absolutely fantastic - as I mentioned, they called me when they heard I had 
a problem.

The SteppIR feed system is simply a balun at the driven element, with 
stepper motors to move the element.  That's all that's in the box at the 
antenna.  The controller does have a few electronic parts, but then so does 
my alarm clock - and it's pretty reliable.  The controller simply drives 
the stepper motor that moves the element.  I looked inside the element 
boxes before I put them up, just to know what I would be dealing with.

Cheers,

Joe
WDØM

At 01:32 PM 11/8/2004, Keith Dutson wrote:
>Well, I suppose most of us "modern" hams are pretty much all appliance
>operators nowadays.  Not many can say they build their own transceivers and
>antennas.  I have built mine in years passed, but cannot adequately compete
>in DX pileups/contests without modern gear.
>
>Support IS detrimental for an antenna such as the SteppIR.  Their feed
>system/controller is VERY complex.  Compare this to a simple balun/hairpin
>arrangement.  I do not personally own one, but understand there have been
>installation problems requiring considerable support.
>
>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 2:07 PM
>To: keith at dutson.net; TowerTalk
>Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] New antenna system
>
>I'm puzzled.....what the heck is "...an excellent appliance operator's
>antenna"??  I'm not clear on the second half of your statement.....did you
>mean detrimental NOT to have support?  The feed system isn't complex - plug
>the coax in and transmit....the controller does it all for you.
>
>73,
>Joe
>WDØM
>
>At 12:28 PM 11/8/2004, Keith Dutson wrote:
> >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
> > >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.
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >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.
>
>_______________________________________________
>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