[TowerTalk] w2irt's antenna dilemma

[Jerry Keller - K3BZ]

Peter... don't know where you're located, but iuf it's worth the ride to EPA just S of Allentown,
you're welcome to take a look at my 3L SteppIR at 50 feet.
73,  Jerry K3BZ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Jarvis" <jimjarvis at comcast.net>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:06 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] w2irt's antenna dilemma


>
> Peter, w2irt wrote:
>
>>I feel
>> as if I either have to settle for the lower performance of the SteppIR or
>> risk marital disharmony and a lot of aluminium. Are there options aside
>> from these two that I should seriously consider, or do you think I've
>> written of the SteppIR unnecessarily?
>
> I think you're under-rating the SteppIR, Peter.  As I said in my private
> mail, I had a 3 el in Vermont and was quite pleased with it.  I'd STILL
> have it, if it weren't for relocation...and another one is in the plan.
>
> * it's the quickest antenna I've ever put together.  No field fiddling with
> tuning.  It's all done in-situ.
>
> * it performs quite well...although I couldn't do an a/b comparison,
> I felt it was better than any yagi I've had up.  That includes
> multiple KT34A and XA's, and an 8 el LPDA.  I don't feel you'd see
> a difference, except in the visible spectrum.
> (cleaner lines of the steppIR)
>
> *  Bear in mind that fixed aluminum provides its best performance over
> only a very limited frequency range.  The steppIR meets its specs
> over the whole range, due to active tuning.  (or, at least a much
> wider range...vswr bandwidth is removed from the equation, leaving
> only the impact of element spacing on pattern.  This can be compensated
> by tuning the reflector and director(s)...and then tuning the DE for
> match.  This is done automatically by the default parameters...no fiddling
> required, unless you want to make your own setup.
>
> * My recommendation would be a ma55 tubular mast, base rotated,
> with the steppIR on it.  3 el or 4 el, as your aesthetics and budget
> dictate.
>
> *  If in doubt, try visiting someone with a steppIR in the air, and see
> how it works.  Mine was sold, and found its way to W2ZQ, which is
> a club station.  Perhaps you know, or can connect with someone there.
>
> *  And the piece de resistance...what Pete Smith said about doubling
> the cost of the tower to get to the real project cost is not far
> wrong for guyed towers.  But with a self-supporter, you
> CAN estimate a bit better.   Just don't tell your wife what the
> whole project will cost, or you'll be back with wires again!
>
> *  Have fun.
>
> n2ea
> jimjarvis at ieee.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> 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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