[TowerTalk] SteppIR wear out & Vertical question

[Jim Rhodes]

I highly recommend the hy-tower. Plan on extending it somewhat if spending
most of your time at the bottom of the band. But with a few radials it is a
very trouble free antenna.

Jim Rhodes
K0XU

On Fri, Nov 16, 2018, 11:18 rlvz--- via TowerTalk <towertalk at contesting.com
wrote:

> 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
>
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