[TowerTalk] SteppIR and SO2R

[john at kk9a.com]

Interesting data on the SteppIR band changes, Terry. In March I  
operated the WPX contest as PJ4R using a single transceiver and a  
large interlaced Yagi on top of the highest mountain in Bonaire.  
Conditions were just horrible and I  kept waiting/hoping for 15m to  
open.  So while running on 20m with poor rates and heavy QRM I  
frequently switched to 15m to listen for openings and then jumping  
back on my 20m run frequency. I could hear the far South American  
stations running on 15m but I could not hear the US stations they were  
working so it was easy to quickly check propagation. Eventually 15m  
did open to the U.S. and this really boosted my QSO rate. Instant  
switching between bands can be very nice even if operating SO1R.

John KK9A



terry burge ki7m wrote:

Just for accuracy I timed my 3 element 20-6 meter steppir changing  
bands from 20-15 (9 seconds) and 20-10 (14 seconds). 10-15 (7 seconds)  
and 10-20 (15 seconds). Now I am not familiar operating SO2R but as I  
understand it two operating positions using the same antenna so would  
be a train wreck in the making. Can't see how it could be done without  
separate antennas, XCVR's setup to not transmit at the same time, and  
some very coordinated operators. No wonder I never tried it although I  
have pushed the rules when going for a multiplier on a second band. I  
know my friend K7ZS does this but besides his 4 el steppir he also has  
a TH6DXX half way up his tower so I can see that would work. I know  
his scores probably double my SOAB at least on some contest like  
CQWWPHN. And that is when I am having pretty decent luck. But each  
contest has it's own flavor and sometimes getting some sleep can be  
challenging. Anyway the point is while it would be possible to operate  
with separate antennas I can't see how a steppir could work changing  
bands for two operating positions. They are great antennas and do well  
on multiple bands but not for SO2R (IMHO). Now multiple steppir  
antennas would work.

Terry
KI7M