[TowerTalk] SteppIR wear out & Vertical question

[rlvz at aol.com]

My BigIR vertical worked well for aprx. 14 years but now the EHU has a major problem and needs repair or replacement.  That said, the BigIR was only installed during the winter months so it's actual time of use was aprx. 7 years.   I guess it's a reminder that mechanical things wear out.  I enjoyed the BigIR while it operated and it was a good omni-directional Multiplier antenna, though the band changes were time consuming.  I'm now seriously considering replacing it with monoband verticals or a multi-band vertical such as a HyGain Hy-Tower as there are no moving parts to break down and it has instant band changes.  Any recommendations for multi-band verticals?   I realize Yagi's have more gain and I use them, but a Vertical at the edge of the saltwater river works pretty well too and radiates in all directions.   
 
73,
Dick- K9OM
 
In a message dated 11/16/2018 11:44:45 AM Eastern Standard Time, w3yy at cox.net writes:

 
 Rick -

After 14 years without problems, this year I've had three element support tubes fall off and two element housing units fail. One of the element support tubes fell off after being repaired only a month earlier.

I'm tired of these now constant repairs. The SteppIR served me very well but I feel it's time to retire this old horse.

73, Bob - W3YY


-----Original Message-----
From: Richard (Rick) Karlquist [mailto:richard at karlquist.com] 
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2018 10:04 AM
To: W3YY; towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: SteppIR wear out (was: Optibeam OBLY14-5)

On 11/16/2018 12:17 AM, W3YY wrote:
> AC0H -
> 
> 
> My 4 el SteppIR 20-6M gave me great service for 14 years but has now reached
> the end of its useful life. So am considering the Optibeam and others.
> 
> 73, Bob - W3YY
> 

I think a lot of SteppIR owners (I own 3) on the reflector
would be interested in what the exact nature of the end
of life situation is for your SteppIR. My MonstIR is
now 14 years old and going strong. The only wear out
I am seeing is some UV damage to the fiberglass tubes,
which is more cosmetic than structural at this time.
Same with the smaller models I have, which are even
older. All of mine pre-date the trombone element versions.
They are all on tilt over towers which makes them easy
to repair, just in case...

73
Rick N6RK

_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk