[TowerTalk] STEPPIR QUESTION

[Jim Brown]

On Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:47:58 -0500, W5LT wrote:

>You might check out the new SD-100 SteppIR controller. It is standard
>equipment on the DB-series antennas, and supposedly has a much more 
robust
>output circuit arrangement. 
>The driver board can even be located 100s of feet from the controller
>itself, as in up/on the tower. 

I just installed a 3-el with the new SD100 controller and the 33V power 
supply, and it's working just fine with 400 ft of 12-#22. Based on 
conversations with SteppIR, the primary cause of problems with the 
original controller and long lines is the inability of that unit to drive 
the CAPACITANCE of a long line, and the voltage driving the motors is a 
series of pulses. The greatly improved line drivers in the new unit are 
able to drive a lot more capacitance. Not a surprise -- we've had to 
address that problem in the pro audio world too, where mics and mix desks 
are often connected with more than 100 yards of cable. 

So while you COULD remote the controller board, you are far less likely to 
need to do so.

73,

Jim K9YC