[TowerTalk] SteppIR and SO2R

[Jack Brindle]

It really only works for two bands. When 10m returns (it has actually been active recently), you will want to use all three (20, 15 and 10), so a triplexer is the way to go. These things work by passing the band of interest on each port, while filtering out the other bands. Basically, there are three inputs (one per band) and a single output to the antenna. You will generally need a dual antenna switch before the triplexer, unless you dedicate a rig to a single band.

So in general, a diplexer is not as useful for the high bands as a triplexer. Also, they are much harder to find.
There is a lot of info available on this topic. Beside Jim’s, my favorite is VA6AM’s site.

Hope this helps.

73,
Jack, W6FB


> On Jul 24, 2019, at 12:52 PM, Máximo EA1DDO_HK1H <ea1ddo at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> With your limitation of a single antenna for the higher bands AND SO2R, a multi-band antenna with triplexer seems the only practical solution
> 
> Jim, for SO2R (2 radios, only one antenna feeder), Is a diplexer enough?
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Brown
> Sent: miércoles, 24 de julio de 2019 19:04
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] SteppIR and SO2R
> 
> On 7/24/2019 9:55 AM, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote:
>> SteppIR is not what you want for contesting with multiple radios and 
>> quick band changes. If you don't care then it is fine.  As I get 
>> older, I am only 54, and young I have less and less desire to climb or 
>> do antenna stuff.  The SteppIR's can require more service. 
> 
> Several thoughts. First, a SteppIR Yagi can be used on only one band at 
> a time, so if you can have only one tower and only one Yagi on the 
> tower, it doesn't support SO2R. I'm doing SO2R with the 3-el straight 
> SteppIR on one tower and monobanders for 20, 15, and 10 on other towers. 
> I have the real estate to do that. With your limitation of a single 
> antenna for the higher bands AND SO2R, a multi-band antenna with 
> triplexer seems the only practical solution.
> 
> Second, my straight 3-el SteppIR has been up for 10 years, and I've 
> never had a problem I could blame on the antenna. By the time I bought 
> it, it was a mature design mechanically. That was NOT true of the bigger 
> "trombone" versions, which are more complex mechanically. As recently as 
> four years ago, local contesters were having failures. W6GJB received 
> one with infant mortality of all three motor assemblies within the first 
> year, and it took a LONG time to get them repaired under warranty.
> 
> Third, a SteppIR is a very good choice as a DX antenna for the WARC bands.
> 
> Finally, if you can put two Yagis on that tower, I would consider two 
> SteppIRs, one with trombones, one without. Or a tri-band Yagi with 
> triplexer and a straight 3-el SteppIR.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
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