My observation was based entirely on my ears --- a very subjective
measurement I know. However, the effect was rather striking. It might have
been due to the high noise crashes (when the beam was tuned to the "right"
band) that create more subjective interference due to overloading the ear.

I have heard from others now who mention that using the "wrong" antenna
sometimes appears to improve signal readability. (Of course, this could be
due to polarization differences, etc, etc, that are probably not involved
with the SteppIR setup.)

It is all very subjective and probably not worth a technical debate.
However it would be tempting to utilize the effect if the band changes on
the SteppIR were just a bit faster ---- an if I could remember to retune the
antenna every time before transmitting.

Like most of us, I have noted many times that the ability to clearly copy a
signal (i.e., a comfortable S/N situation) is often not correlated with S
meter readings of the signal or the noise.

Bill
W2WO