[TowerTalk] C31XR versus SteppIR

[Chet Moore]

Hi Gang,

I didn't take the comments so far anyway as attacks on the STEPPIR or the 
C31.

 I have the C31XR at  90 feet.  In March I apparently had the boom to boom 
to element clamp come loose on mine which caused the  20 m reflector to 
slide out about 3.5 feet to one side.  It did NOT seem to affect SWR or 
anything else but it sure looked terrible. Due to wx, wind and lack of an 
antenna crew it stayed like that for about a month.

N4BAA and I lifted it over the mast and brought it against the tower. I 
Retightened the boom to element clamp, and we checked everything else in 
preparation for the BS7 operation.  The antenna has been up there for 5 1/2 
years No indication of any other types of problem with rivits, elongated 
holes etc.

I was one of the guys that asked howard off the reflector why he was 
changing to a C31 from a  4 El steppIR.

I have said for a long time than when I see a 4 El steppir at W3LPL, that I 
will get one for here.  I don't think LPL has a C31 either.  I believe I 
have seen where LPL recommends a steppIR on a 100 foot tower as the setup to 
have if you can only put up one tower.

LPL's last recommendation cost me about $200 and at least a full day of 
replacing my nice shiny copper ground systems all connected by BRAID.

Nothing against a steppir, I read the K7LXC tribander report and based on 
that report I purchased the C31XR.  I have been pleased with mine.  The 
steppIR antenna was either not in production or not avaialable tor testing 
when this report was done.

For lack of any other reason that the 20M reflector came loose,  I guess I 
would have to blame  operator malfunction and the possibility that I failed 
to tighten the element enough when I put it together.  It lasted up there 
for 51/2 years so I don't know what else to think.  Definitely not a F-12 
related problem. The  C31XR came through hurricane Isobel and 105 kt winds 
at this qth about 10 miles inland from Virginia Beach in Chesapeake.

I sort of think the 3 el steppIR and the C31 are close in performance on the 
contesting bands,  I suspect the 4 El SteppIR might be a step ahead.

I am anxiously awaiting Howards results when he gets his C31XR airborne.

73

Chet  N4FX........until 2 months ago the ham previously known as  N6ZO




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Zimmerman N3OX" <n3ox at n3ox.net>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 11:32 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] C31XR versus SteppIR


> >I really don't understand the all the attacks at SteppIR antennas.  If 
> >you
>>are happy with your antenna there is no need to attempt to trash another
>>antenna because it different than yours.
>
> As an outside observer on this one:
>
> There haven't been any attacks on SteppIR antennas; there have been
> dissenting opinions that SteppIRs are perfect and attempts to convince
> the dissenters that their objections to an antenna with moving parts
> are unfounded.
>
> I'm looking forward to the day when I can get a 3el or 4el SteppIR
> beam but I'm a DXer who really likes the WARC bands and would love the
> clean simple installation the SteppIR will allow for a 20m and up
> yagi.
>
> I think if I were a contester and wanted to do 20m, 15m, and 10m
> really, really well with 99.9% reliability on any given weekend, I
> would be less attracted by the SteppIR and would be looking seriously
> at alternatives when I can put up a tower.
>
> The original poster asked for opinions on which antenna is better so
> there's going to be a discussion, apparently heated, on whether or not
> the C31XR or the SteppIR is better.
>
> Dan
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