[TowerTalk] Ref SteppIR rubber boots

[Jim Brown]

On Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:31:51 -0500, D Calder wrote:

>But for a few $k, I don't think you should have to use work 
>arounds.

This has been blown WAY out of proportion. The rubber boots from a 
certain time frame of manufacture were bad, and didn't stand up to 
UV. SteppIR goofed. ALL mfrs goof, some more than others. The better 
ones learn from their mistakes and correct them. They call things 
like this "growing pains." Yes, if you have one of these antennas on 
a tower, it can be a costly error. Or not. 

Last spring, I was on the ground crew helping two much younger 
climbers repair a 4-el SteppIR for OT W4UAT. Since all were 
volunteers (members of NCCC), Larry's cost was limited to providing 
food and drink. Others may not be so lucky. 

As an engineer, I recognized the problem as growing pains that had 
been corrected, and chose a 3-el SteppIR to go on my tower. I'm 
pleased with the performance. 

73,

Jim Brown K9YC