[TowerTalk] Please Help Me Decide on a Tribander or Monobanders

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> I already had a 5 element M Squared 6 meter beam, so I didn't add the
> 6 meter DIRECTOR (sorry) to my SteppIR. Whenever I did a comparison
> between the two antennas the 5 element monoband beam was noticeably
> better than the 3 element SteppIR, as you would expect.

SteppIR's specs show nearly 4dB more gain and more than 20 dB added
F/B with the passive element on six meters.   The *current* M2inc 5 
element designs claim 1.5 to 2 dB more gain than the "3 element"
SteppIR with passive element so comparing the "3 element" SteppIR
without the passive element to *any* of the 5 element M2 six meter
yagis is really "stacking the deck" <G>!

 > Every antenna installation is a compromise.

An absolute truism!

 > In my case, with the separate 6 meter antenna, I have an additional
 > feedline to deal with, taking an extra position on my antenna
 > switch.

Plus load on the mast/tower and installation/construction/maintenance
issues due to the stacked antennas.  In addition, one never knows to
what extent performance of the antennas in a stack are impacted by the
presence of the other antennas.  At least with the SteppIR one can
"home" the elements of the SteppIR to prevent it from impacting a
separate six meter antenna.

Anecdotally however, CX7TT has worked several station off the moon
with a parasitic element equipped 3 element SteppIR.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 4/20/2013 9:15 AM, Rick Stealey wrote:
> Let me clarify my statement, because Joe is right, there is no disagreement.
> If you get a 3 element SteppIR and are serious about 6 meters, by all means go for the
> added element.  Even though the 3 original elements are on a 16 foot boom, the spacing
> is too great.  4 or 5 elements are needed to get very good performance on 6 meters with
> a 16 foot boom.
> I already had a 5 element M Squared 6 meter beam, so I didn't add the 6 meter
> DIRECTOR (sorry) to my SteppIR.  Whenever I did a comparison between the two
> antennas the 5 element monoband beam was noticeably better than the 3 element
> SteppIR, as you would expect.
> Every antenna installation is a compromise.  In my case, with the separate 6 meter antenna, I have an additional feedline to deal with, taking an extra position on my antenna switch.  I get
> marginally better performance than four 6 meter elements on a SteppIR (probably).  On the
> other hand I can instantly switch to 6 meters and see if there is any activity, etc.  The cost is
> somewhat more, too (M Squared antennas aren't cheap).
>
> Rick  K2XT
>   		 	   		
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