[TowerTalk] antenna choices

[Jim Brown]

On Mon,4/6/2015 12:10 PM, Alfred Watson via TowerTalk wrote:
> I am thinking about a newer (maybe better) HF antenna. I have now a T-11 LPA from Tennadyne.
>
> I've always had good results with hy gain and never owned an opti beam.
>
> Any thoughts on a TH-11 vs an Opti beam OB 9-5.
>
> Both offer the same bands. 10,15,20,17,12.

I have a 3-el SteppIR (the original) with the added fixed element for 
6M. The antenna covers 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, and 6. It's an optimized 3-el 
on each band (and even at each part of each band). It's been up for 
about 5 years, and I've never had a problem that I could blame on the 
antenna. It's quite light for the gain -- K6XX, who does all of my 
climbing, was easily able to handle it by himself.  This antenna, and 
the original 4-el are mature designs. The 4-el gives another dB or so.

The 3-3l SteppIR "trombone" antennas will give you gain on 30 and 40M as 
well. They are MUCH heavier, and the mechanical designs are not as 
mature (although they seem to be getting there). Several of my friends 
own them and are happy campers.

The only other antennas I would consider are the Force12 XR-series 
antennas. Unfortunately their website doesn't give any specs.

73, Jim K9YC