[TowerTalk] 10 throu 20 beam traps or no traps

[Jim Brown]

On 6/19/2014 7:44 PM, Edwin Karl wrote:
> I would recommend Opitbeam over the others in a heart beat, no matter 
> the size. A
> real class act. 

I've not seen these antennas, but the designs look first rate.

 From the looks of it, the 9-5 is two elements per band, equivalent to 
the 2-element SteppIR. The 11-5 appears to be three elements per band, 
equivalent to the 3-element SteppIR, and the 16-5 looks to be four per 
band, equivalent to a 4-el SteppIR.

I'm very happy with my 3-el SteppIR, and use it all the way up to 6M. 
Two really good features -- the straight SteppIRs weigh a lot less, so 
are easier to handle on the tower and don't need as big a rotor. Second, 
the reversing and bi-directional features are worth it's weight in gold. 
Except on 6M, where it doesn't work that way, I rarely turn the antenna 
more than about 100 degrees.

Here in CA, South America and Asia are approximately opposite of each 
other, and the higher bands are often open to both at the same time. 
Reverse takes something like 3-5 seconds. Likewise, EU and the east 
coast of the US are opposite to VK/ZL. Very useful in a contest.

73, Jim K9YC