[TowerTalk] LP v SteppIR

[Joe - WDØM]

The cable runs on my SteppIR total 220 feet.   That's why SteppIR offers 
a higher voltage power supply (33VDC) for longer cable runs.   Works 
fine, even at 7500 feet elevation in the Rockies where we've just had 
about 4 feet of snow.  Never heard of a motor failure either.

Everyone has equipment issues at one time or another, whether it's with 
a "regular" yagi or a SteppIR.  The SteppIR reflector (like this one) 
tends to draw people seeking advice or assistance with issues, rather 
than those who don't have a problem with their equipment...those not 
having issues rarely just hop on the reflector to say - "Wow, this is 
great!  Still no problems!!" 

EHam reviews tend to be from people who have nothing but praise (5.0 
ratings) or those who have suffered a problem and pass out  0.0 rating, 
as well as those who don't even own the item being reviewed.  Caveat 
emptor...

73,

Joe
WDØM
http://www.wd0m.com


john at kk9a.com wrote:
> I am not trying to start rumors, in fact I think that the adjustable element 
> is a fantastic idea.  Perhaps the motors itself did not actually fail in 
> many cases, but there were other mechanical issues that prevented the 
> elements from extending and retracting properly.  Here are some reviews 
> addressing the issue: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3858 by GM4YSN 
> KL7GS or IW0CMM.  The point of my post was that you should consider if you 
> want a mechanically complex antenna if it is mounted in a location that is 
> less accessible for possible repairs.  There are other factors to consider 
> as well since the SteppIR may not work well using long cable runs.
>
>
>
> To: "'Tower and HF antenna construction topics.'" <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] LP v SteppIR
> From: "Mike" <noddy1211 at sbcglobal.net>
> Reply-to: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics." 
> <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:21:13 -0800
>
> I have monitored the Steppir group from the beginning and can't remember one
> Stepper Motor failure and personally know six people with Steppir antennas.
> Stepper Motors are just about the most reliable motor around, they are used
> in the packaging industry 24 hours a day and I have never seen a failure.
> Many other parts around these motors may fail but not the Stepper motors.
>
> I think you are starting rumors- :)
>
> Steppir Antennas may have other problems like tape snarl up's or motor
> driver chips, but not the Motors.
>
> Mike, K6BR
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <john at kk9a.com>
> To: <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
> Cc: <jimlux at earthlink.net>
> Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 8:30 PM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] LP v SteppIR
>
>
> I have heard of a number of motor failures so I wonder how common this
> problem is.  I suspect only the manufacturer knows this answer.  If the
> antenna is mounted on a crankup tower repairing it may be somewhat easy,
> however if it is mounted 100 to 200 feet high with other antennas on the
> tower or  in an H-frame like K9LTN's problematic phased array, repairing the
> antenna can be a lot of work and expense.  It is true that any antenna can
> break and in choosing a product one should consider which one is built
> stronger and less susceptible to failure, along with comparing the
> electrical performance.
>
>
>
>
> To: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics." <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] LP v SteppIR
> From: jimlux <jimlux at earthlink.net>
> Reply-to: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics."
> <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:08:03 -0800
> List-post: <towertalk at contesting.com">mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>
>
> <snip>
>
> There are complaints of motor/mechanism failures, but they're fairly
> infrequent, and, to be fair, you hear complaints about conventional
> antennas with broken traps, incorrect hardware, etc.  And, because
> they're new and novel, the "reporting rate" on SteppIR problems is
> higher than for conventional antennas (e.g. you're more likely to find
> an online comment about a SteppIR problem than about a missing set of
> clamps in some other antenna) 
>
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