[TowerTalk] Fw: Fw: SteppIR problem

[Ron Todd]

Jerry they did have two types of cable. When I ordered my cable they asked 
me if I running more than 200 feet.
WW4LL Fred used the larger cable and I am using the smaller cable. Ive seen 
them both.
Your are correct about the 33v power supply.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry Keller" <k3bz at arrl.net>
To: "Ron Todd" <ron at k4wz.com>; <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:49 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Fw: SteppIR problem


> There is no "larger cable".... SteppIR does recommend the optional 33v 
> power
> supply if the control cable will exceed 200 feet.
> 73, Jerry K3BZ
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ron Todd" <ron at k4wz.com>
> To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:18 PM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Fw: SteppIR problem
>
>
>> SteppIR says over 200 feet you need the larger cable and the 33V  supply.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: <john at kk9a.com>
>> To: <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
>> Cc: <ah6fc at yahoo.com>
>> Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:12 PM
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] SteppIR problem
>>
>>
>>> The discussion on this has been very interesting and informative.  Most
>>> feel
>>> the cable length is the problem due to either excessive resistance or
>>> capacitance.  Larger wire would help if the problem was voltage loss, 
>>> but
>>> what can you do if the problem is capacitance from the long run?  I am
>>> looking at the SteppIR website and I see only one size 12 conductor 
>>> cable
>>> listed.  It states that you need a 33 volt power supply for runs over 
>>> 200
>>> feet.    They should really show a maximum cable length for using 33
>>> volts.
>>> Perhaps with a 500 foot of their cable run you need even more voltage.
>>> Are
>>> you using a 33 volt supply?
>>>
>>> John KK9A
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>>> Subject: [TowerTalk] SteppIR problem
>>> From: Bill Carnett <ah6fc at yahoo.com>
>>> Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2007 08:41:54 -0700 (PDT)
>>> List-post: <mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>
>>>
>>> Greetings to all Tower Talkers,
>>>
>>> A very wise man and fellow TT (K7LXC) suggested I post
>>> my challenge here to the group...maybe somebody will
>>> have a new idea that I've not explored.
>>>
>>> Last week we put up a new 4L SteppIR with a 40/30
>>> dipole.  The antenna is approximately 500 feet from
>>> the shack.  SteppIR control line is used, continously
>>> without any accessories inserted, running through 3
>>> inch conduit (not that that makes any difference).
>>> Prior to lifting it in the air I found that a problem
>>> existed.  When attempts were made to change bands or
>>> even frequency on the same band, the control box went
>>> dead.  Simultaneously, as the box died, the "on"
>>> indicator light on the pwr supply went out.  A second
>>> later the pwr light came back on; the led "lights" on
>>> the control box flashed once but the box remained off.
>>> The box could be turned back on, but the same
>>> sequence occurred if a band/freq change was attempted.
>>>
>>>
>>> Immediately all of the wiring and continuity was
>>> checked with the antenna...all ok.  Spoke with Jerry
>>> at SteppIR and we proceeded to change first control
>>> box....before I realized the pwr supply was
>>> faltering....no change.
>>>
>>> The next step was to attempt to run each motor
>>> individually and in groups.  Each motor ran
>>> individually without problem.  Adding the 2nd and 3rd
>>> motor caused no problems....the yagi functioned fine.
>>> The addition of the 4th motor (didn't matter which
>>> sequence), consistently killed the antenna. On
>>> occassion it would all seem to work for a couple of
>>> band changes but never more than 1 or 2 minutes - with
>>> all 4 motors running. So, with up to 3 motors
>>> running...all ok, with all 4, no go.  However, this is
>>> a 4 element yagi.  After speaking again with Jerry, I
>>> was reassured that the problem was simply a power
>>> supply and all will work fine....thus the long
>>> scheduled antenna raising event went forward as
>>> scheduled.  Needless-to-say, the replacement power
>>> supply did not correct the problem.
>>>
>>> Prior to erecting the yagi I extended the elements to
>>> 14150 so it can be used as a monobander...but that
>>> will only bring temporary happiness.  A power supply
>>> (3rd) was "hand picked" by the SteppIR engineers,
>>> sent, and tested this morning.  Basically the same
>>> problem.  It did seem to work briefly then shut
>>> down....exactly the same as before.
>>>
>>> So, I'm looking for ideas that have been overlooked.
>>> Yes, I should have listened to my gut, rather than the
>>> "experts" and canceled the raising until all problems
>>> were fixed, but that can't be undone.  If this beast
>>> must be lowered, I'm a bit reluctant to put it back up
>>> after this experience.  Yes, all antennas have
>>> problems but it would be less $$ to replace it at the
>>> time of lowering rather then taking down, bring the
>>> crane back and forth, etc.
>>>
>>> Sorry for the long-windedness of this but any and all
>>> thoughts are appreciated!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 73, Bill
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>
>>>
>>
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