"Rick" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 20:51:25 +0200, "Pete"
wrote:

My next antenna is a 3 element SteppIR with the 6m option and 40/30m
dipole
option. I currently have a Hy-Gain Explorer 14 with 40m kit.

I vote SteppIR.
--
Pete . .
ZS5ACT


I have had a three element SteppIR up for three years now.
It replaced a pair of Hy Gain monobanders (4 element 20 and 5 element
15).
Biggest difference I noticed was that my mast doesn't bend anymore !!
And my rotor has about 1/3 the work to do because the torque is so
much less.
And I have one feedline and no antenna switches, and only one
lightning arrestor.
And I now get 10 meters, and 17 meters. Wow what a great band 17
meters is.
Yes, I DO notice the pattern is not as sharp as the big monobanders,
no question about it. Probably a db or so less gain.

On 6 meters (I DO NOT have the extra fixed length element for 6
meters) I also have a 5 element M Squared, mounted about 6 feet above
the SteppIR. It absolutely blows away the SteppIR. So if you are
serious about 6, and don't want another yagi on the tower, give
serious consideration to the advice of Mike at SteppIR and get his 4th
element. I guess you said that, you are getting the 6 meter element.

But I miss that shiny aluminum up there. Sometimes the early morning
sun would reflect off all those Hy Gain elements...... Man, that was
a beautiful sight.

But 30 and 40 meters with the SteppIR? Seems like the only advantages
are the ones I mentioned above about the single feedline and
simplicity. I can't really see all that much advantage to being able
to rotate those single element radiators on those bands. I
experimented with learning EZNEC last week and I didn't see hardly any
directivity at all in my 40 meter inverted vee.

Rick K2XT

Since reading Rick's post I should add that I have the two extra elements
for six and have had great success.
I cannot compare it to another antenna, but I just got a 6M QSL from New
Hampshire and I'm in Texas.

73
H., NQ5H