Hi Steve,
I also am an owner of a SteppIR 3 Element, and I also answered an earler post regarding the subject.

I am also an owner that has not experienced ANY PROBLEMS at all with the SteppIR Beam.

As for some of the things said about Electronics...and the use of stepper motors? For over 20+ years the refrigeration industry has used stepper motors to drive what is known as "Electronic Expansion Valves" which simply regulate or adjust the flow of refrigerant within the circuits of large chiller units.
These stepper motors have proven EXTREMELY RELIABLE in some of the toughest enviroments you can imagine. The history of stepper motors makes for some very interesting research and reading if you care to check it.

No doubt, some where...some place?
There will most likely always be a fella, who has experienced a problem, with a mechanical product that Humans have manufactured. In that spirit I must also say that the family folks that are "STEPPIR" will do all they possibly can, to correct anything that has caused a problem with their product.

I read reviews, and researched the aspects of the product for over a year, before I decided to make a purchase. I've never regretted buying the antenna and in fact it's been one of the most enjoyable investments I've ever made in Amateur Radio.
Good Luck with what you decide to go with, and God BLess you and your family. 73 8-)

Jerry N5JFJ

Hi Tom,
3 years now, that I have owned and operated the 3 Element SteppIR up at 60 feet. I honestly don't have any regrets about the purchase of this Beam. I was worried because the Beam caught some harsh winds off of a Tornado that passed through during Hurricane Ike here in Southeast Texas. Yet even though the force of those winds rolled the boom in it's brackets, so that the Elements looked like they were half way between Vertical and Horizontal, I climbed the tower, and realigned the boom, retightened the brackets..."And way she went "STILL" without a single problem.

Tom I must also agree with others, that I enjoy the fact of NOT having to use any antenna match with this antenna at all! On each band I am at 1:1 to 1:2 everywhere I operate it. Switching between a Band takes me less, than a minute. I constantly get reports that I have a "Big Signal!"

I did do a few extra things when I installed it...like also taping the Rubber boots to extend the life of the rubber at the motor sockets from cracking. I also was surgical in my connections for wiring at my Terminal Blocks (yes, using the factory grease at my connections and I tilted the PVC Terminal Block housing on the Boom downward, so that any condensate moisture will easily drain out of it.

3 Years running and "FLAWLESS" Tom. Works just as they said it would. My only regret... is that I didn't go ahead and purchase the 6 Meter add on option, when I ordered it!
All I can say Tom is "5 Stars" Hats Off - to SteppIR.
From a Truly SATISFIED Owner. GOD BLESS 73

DE Jerry N5JFJ

Simple solution...Take the Extra Class Test and pass it, if you desire to move on to the Extra Class.

As for as what should be done... with Advanced Class Operators?

Simple answer...NOTHING!
Absolutely nothing!

Barry,
I also, agree with what Phil wrote.
And "3" was what my Elmers, advised me to use, or attempt to follow.

I agree with Robert about "Propagation!"
Who can ever imagine, how strong a signal may be - on one fellow operators recieved signal - Versus - another operators antenna and reciever - with difference, in propagation and/or even the Rig, they use???

As for the Net?
I recall many net controls opening remarks saying: "This is a directed Net which meets here daily "ON OR ABOUT" (then giving the Frequency)"DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC!" which simply means that if the Frequency is in use...you will find the Net... a little UP...or DOWN, the band.

Truth is, like it or not, The Net should have RESPECTED YOUR RIGHT, that the frequency was, OCCUPIED!

These days, "A truly qualified" AC Technician, who has gone to College and earns a Degree in Air Conditioning, spends quite an amount of hours and invested money... to even get started in the business.

Many of "The Best" earn anywhere from a beginning labor rate of $17.00/Hr on upwards with experience to $28.00-$30.00 per hour. That does not account for their Provided Company vehicle and Gas Cards, Health Insurance Package, provided and cleaned weekly uniforms, Paid Vacation time and/or Sick leave days, Tool replacement programs, 401K retirement packages, Government EPA Certification license to handle Refrigerants, and/or possibly even a State License which alone can represent around a $1200.00 per year investment. The digital meter to check capacitance (for example made by Supco)can cost around $200.00!

Honestly, when you then add a reliable Fully Insured, Service Van or Truck with GPS Tracking equipment, with Ladder Racks, all the needed various sized step or Extension Ladders, Torch kits and Welding Brazing supplies with Vacuum Pumps, EPA Certified Reclaim machine with EPA Certified reclaim Drums... and anywhere from $5000.00-$8,000.00 on-Board Stock, on this Vehicle and last but not least the Furnished Company Cell phone, and/or Commercial Radios for Dispatching???

Sure...I imagine you can call a few "PO-DUNK SHADE TREE" greenhorns, and YOU CAN get ripped off.
But if you honestly do the Math then you will begin to see what has to be charged, for a TRUE COST of DOING BUSINESS to begin with! That is when you realize that you could have called the BBB to start with and selected a True Professional to support your needs.

It's sort of like that conversation about the cost of a simple step ladder. It really shouldn't cost but about $30-$50 yet...because of the Lawsuits by a few who didnt use it properly to begin with, good ones sell easily for $100 plus. Of course if you didn't provide your workman with the Quality product and it malfunctions and he falls...then He owns your company anyway for providing whats called SUB-STANDARD equipment, which must have caused his or Her, injury!

Got a Gripe? Oh yes I can agree! How about having to go sit in a Dr.'s Office for an hour, before being seen, just because you have to refill a common everyday perscription, trapped in there with 20 other FLU patients, wheezing and gagging with Fever! That is one of my, pet Peeves!  

Yes, Capacitors break down, and in regards to Fan motors, they can cause the motor not to start properly and Over-heat and Bake, and yes, in some cases have caused some fire hazards. You know...one mark of a "PROFESSIONAL" is someone who has done their Job so EXTREMELY WELL, in such a manner that they somehow please many people in the performance of their service who gladly call them again, if the need arises.
Why? because THEY ARE WORTH the service that they provide.

There's a Funny story about the Man who said you charge TOO MUCH - when he called to ask about Service Costs. The Manager then said "OK I'll send you a Man that will cost you $5.00 per hour - How is that? The man asked wow that is great - does he know anything about my Problems? The manager replied "OH NO, but at $5.00 per hour we will send him and let him stand around there all day - GUESSING - about what your problem might be!" But...you'll get, what you paid for!

The Man, quietly, hung up the phone.

Bob that one wound on PVC sounds like; "Dr. Aces homemade Balun" 73

Happy Easter-Happy Passover to you and your Family Tom and God Bless All, de N5JFJ - Jerry 8-)

Hi Charles,
I have used the Yaesu 1000MP Mark V Field 100 watt version, with the built in power supply for quite a few years and I absolutely love the Radio.

I have a few friends that used the 200 Watt version that experienced some power supply problems and one of the same friends with cooling fan problem in the Rig.

Suggesting a great add on for the Rig... would be to also have the "InRad Roofing Filter" installed. This helps for a fix of the problem with stronger stations near or during "Splatter Days" or Contesting periods.
Yes there are some times also, when I have found that using the Noise Blanker seems to distort some stations Audio by having it turned on. I added the use of a JPS NIR12 with my Rig so I am very "SPOILED" with that too.
In fact I don't run it without that inline.

About the most General "BUG" I have heard of and experience myself is when the Rig is left off unpowered for awhile, when you start it up the LED's are slightly dimmer, for a few moments. Other than that I experimented with different Microphones and found that the Heil "Classic" model microphone works tremendously well with my Rig.

I would just say to you I love mine, and have enjoyed it now for about 4 years. Does everything I could ask for and I gave about $1200.00 for it, used.

God Bless and 73
N5JFJ
Jerry

My Yaesu FT1000 MP Mark V Field came with a factory hand Mic also, which would even change frequency from the Mic and switch Tone quality of the audio. Wow...maybe - times have sure changed!
God Bless and 73.
8-)
Jerry

I use an automated CW ID via my PC with a software program created by "ROMAC" CW ID, works very well even if you are speaking, sends every 10 minutes at 20WPM,

No problems, it is legal, and Life is simple.

I'd say "Don't sweat the small stuff" The FCC has much more to keep up with besides something which has been Legal for years, and is NOT a problem.

I moved away from what they call "Voltage Style Baluns" to nowdays using only "Current Baluns" I use 1:1 for my Dipoles and 1:1 ratio even on my Coaxial Double Bazooka(Works Fantastic) - On my Loop antennas, I use the 4:1 Current Balun.

I purchased those from a company called "Radio Works" the 2500 watt (model number B42K /4:1) current balun, back in 1998 and that thing is still working well to date, and it's survived through 3 Hurricanes now! I have always utilized Coax feeds into the Baluns for my simple setup and it's worked very fine. I tried the antennas without the baluns for a while (alone with my Nye Viking match) They worked fine, but yet I also know that I experienced some Stray RF (back in the shack) without the Balun -- than while I was using them, so I re-installed them. I'd love to run the ladder line BUT here at home and for STEALTH reasons Coax works best for my needs. So - I use the "Current Baluns" life is simple, and it all works, just fine.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - GOD BLESS - 73
8-)
Jerry

I used the Ameritron RCS4 Model system for many years (at Legal Limit) and never-ever had the slightest problem with the unit.

I always liked the idea of needing no extra added cable with it to control my various antennas.
I suppose I'm not one who could honestly say, or offer up a review that this product is "Low Rated or Flawed"
All I know is that it always performed very well and held up to most any load, that I put on it.

8-) 73 and God Bless
Jerry

Man...(Sadly) one of the oldest, toughest reports in Ham radio - Touch Lamps and Ham Radio won't mix!

I agree with the others post, here!
Take her shopping with a Big Smile and the words "Honey let's find you something even better!"

God Bless and 73
8-)

Jerry

I use it with my Yaesu 1000 MKV Field and another nice feature is the "DX Spotting Network" of which - if you see one you want or need, you just click on it with your Mouse and your Radio is instantly moved to that Frequency listed on the Network.

At the same time by just pushing the "add to logbook button" the program uses QRZ.Com and will auotmatically fill in the logging information Blanks, with all the information you need, including Zulu Time signal strength, and Frequency to log when you make your Contact. You can just about operate your Rig in so many ways, it's quite incredible.

Now, it does take a little care in first setting it up, but afterwards - it can really be quite a bit of pure "FUN" to operate.
8-) Happy ThanksGiving - Merry Christmas

God Bless and 73

Jerry / N5JFJ

You might have luck with a call to your local Electric Supply house, or WW Grainger, and ask about Stranded -"Multi conductor - Plenum Cable - with shield and ground" you may have to purchase it in a roll of more than you need, but that might help solve your problem. God Bless and 73
8-)