[TowerTalk] SteppIR problems

[Tod-ID]

Joe points out another of my Laws of Life-

"There are no solutions in life, only different sets of problems"

Tod, K0TO

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joe Subich, W4TV [mailto:w4tv at subich.com] 
> Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2007 2:56 PM
> Lee writes: 
> 
> > Again, there are no mechanical issues (other than rivets) with a 
> > Force-12 or Bencher or any other non SteppIR antenna.
> > Performance of the SteppIR is legendary...but so are the others.
> 
> Quite to the contrary ... there are mechanical issues with 
> all other antennas - just different issues.  KLM antennas 
> were notorious for problems with the capacitor sections, 
> shorting straps and phasing lines.  Force12 have a bad 
> reputation for breaking linear loading wires and insulator 
> failures.  Hy-Gain
> - among others - would lose element tips due to fracture from 
> wind induced vibration, Cushcraft and Mosley fail due to 
> corrosion of the (Cadmium plated) self tapping screws that 
> connect the trap wires.  
> 
> Any yagi or quad antenna is a complex mechanical system with 
> many potential failure modes.  Each type of antenna has its 
> own set of trade-offs - don't blindly dismiss some and 
> condemn the others. 
> 
> 73, 
> 
>    ... Joe, W4TV 
>  
>      
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com 
> > [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Lee Buller
> > Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2007 12:56 PM
> > To: TowerTalk Reflector
> > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] SteppIR for C31XR
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > I have always been a SteppIR fan, but decided not to buy 
> one because 
> > of the mechanical issues present on the top of the tower...plus the 
> > reliance on firmware and microprocessors.
> > Don't get me wrong...computers have their place, but I am 
> not sure I 
> > want it connected to the tower or a lightning rod.  To me, 
> the SteppIR 
> > products are great, but very breakable compared to my Force 
> 12 C3/ED.  
> > Since I do not climb anymore...as others have stated... I 
> do not feel 
> > I could maintain a SteppIR beam, therefore I went to the Force-12 
> > antenna which has proven to be a very good antenna.  The SWR is OK 
> > across 20-15-10 where I do not have to use a tuner.
> > 
> > Again, there are no mechanical issues (other than rivets) with a 
> > Force-12 or Bencher or any other non SteppIR antenna.
> > Performance of the SteppIR is legendary...but so are the others.
> > 
> > Lee - K0WA
> > 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> 
> 
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