Dear Rob (unknown call; unknown location; no E-mail address):
Your questions are unanswerable.
What constitutes the "best" antenna depends on many factors. You
have only provided the information that you are "up north" and that you
wish an antenna to survive Winter weather.
It is unlikely that someone has "tried" both of the antennas you
mention. If they had gone to that expense it would be to write a
paper/book or because one of the antennas died.
Winter survival depends on a number of factors (including luck).
What is a reasonable design to place at 40 feet in an old, wooded
subdivision is likely to be outrageous at 200 feet in open country.
The ARRL has sold a book on the mechanical design of beams. It is a
good reference to study. The mechanical standard for towers and
antennas is 222F. It too should be consulted.
It will be a few more years before the survival characteristics of
the Step products starts to have statistical significance. I have heard
from riggers that the F12 products do not do well in severe wind/weather
conditions. (You may well not have such severe conditions.)
A search using Google, or the like, will turn up more information.
Be cautious of statements that contend that their antenna survived last
Winter's storm. The writer's location may have shielded the antenna.
I hope that this is of assistance.
Regards, Mac N8TT
--
J. Mc Laughlin - Michigan USA
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"Rob" wrote in message
...
I am thinking of putting up a yagi antenna. I am considering putting
up
either the SteppIR 3 el yagi or the Force 12 XR5.

Does anyone have any opinions on which is the best antenna? Has
anyone
tried both?

Rob
P.S. I live up north where there is lots of snow and ice during the
winter.
Will the SteppIR antenna survive such weather?