[TowerTalk] SteppIR wear out & Vertical question

[Patrick Greenlee]

I have a HyGain Hy Tower on top of a metal barn (37x73 ft and 18 ft 
eaves.) No radials, just metal bld for counterpoise and I do good from 
80 to 10, including the new bands with accessory stubs.

Patrick        NJ5G

On 11/16/2018 12:20 PM, Jim Rhodes wrote:
> 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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