[TowerTalk] Antenna Choices

[doktorij at bellsouth.net]

Allen,

Just went through a similiar mental exercise as you. My interests are the same, contesting and DX. 

The mast I use (AB-621) is about 52' tall. I have a 2 element 5 band quad at one location and a 205BA on the same mast at another. The quad is fine, but needed a little more punch. The 205BA is excellent, but band limited.

I looked at several LPDA, the more traditional tri-banders (5 band as well), a three element quad and SteppIr 3 and 4 element yagis. The LPDA seemed to be the most cost effective solution to covering the 5 bands, but the performance was only so-so IMHO. The other antennas generally had more square footage than I wanted, or in the case of the quad would be more difficult to install and tune. 

The price of the SteppIr antennas were not attractive at first glance. I liked the specs and what I've heard from other users. Also, I was able to see the guts of one at Dayton and watched as they put together the 4 element. So I bought a 4 element (which is in transit as I write this).

Two of the TCG members I know have SteppIr (3 and 4 elements) and post good scores using them. Neither have had any problems with the antennas.

Will it be the "right" antenna? Hopefully... For my situation/limitations, I think it will be excellent, else I would not have bought it.

Good luck with your installation and see you in the next 'test.

73,
Julius
n2wn