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1-10 of 10 messages
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Page 1 of 1
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SteppIR Antennas
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by WL7CMG on October 31, 2004
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I know they are new to the market, but was wondering if anybody has any experience with these antennas in cold country weather? Do those little motors still keep working for you in -20 below + conditions? Thanks much....
Dave / wl7cmg (actually in Alaska...hi)
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RE: SteppIR Antennas
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by AC5E on October 31, 2004
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It's my understanding from hams in VE4,VE5, and the deep inland parts of VE6 that they do indeed take the deep freeze and keep on ticking. One told me his rotor froze but his steppir kept on stepping.
73 Pete Allen AC5E
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RE: SteppIR Antennas
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by WIRELESS on October 31, 2004
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I don't own one of these antennas but after examining one for about a 1/2 hour, it struck me as something that should win the "contraption of the year award". This thing could be a mechanical nightmare. Most users that bought this antenna seem to say good things about it but the motors and mechanism seemed sort of cheap for something to live outside all its life. Time will tell.
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RE: SteppIR Antennas
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by K9VDD on October 31, 2004
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I have owned and operated my 4 element STEPPIR at 55 ft since May 30, 2004. View it at: www.qsl.net/k9vdd It continues to operate perfectly. It also survived a real near miss ( 2 blocks away )path of a tornado this year. No damage at all even in the high winds. I have talked to others many times all over the world who use one and have had them up thru more than one typical winter as we know it here in the USA. Especially the folks in Canada and all over Europe. I have several friends who have had one up thru ice and snow storms and still the motors continue to work perfectly every time. I know Mike and the gang out there have field tested these motors over a million movements in all types of WX and temps without a failure. I also know they continue to be EXTREMELY interested in anyone's installation that has ANY problem at all. I HAVE YET TO MEET ANYONE WHO HAS HAD A MOTOR FALIURE OF ANY KIND!! FLUIDMOTION HAS A FIRST CLASS QUALITY PRODUCT AND THEIR SERVICE AND TECH SUPPORT IS BEYOND REPROACH!!
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RE: SteppIR Antennas
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by KD5FOY on October 31, 2004
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I've had a 3 element up for nearly 3 years here in
dallas, tx. the only problems i've had wer self
induced and the squirrels gave me a problem. It's
not cold here by any strech of the imagination but
the motors have never given a bit of trouble. i met
john & company several years ago at hamfest in
arlington, tx and they are a very nice bunch of guys.
the few problems i have observed on the yahoo group
for steppir have always been fixed/repaired/tendedto
very quickly by john & company,
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RE: SteppIR Antennas
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by K6AER on October 31, 2004
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I received SteppIR 4 element beam number 001 late in August 2003. You can read my review here on E-Ham products review at: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3858
The antenna is the most sought after HF beam in existence. Having said that; I have had mine survive one inch radial ice several times, more hail storms than you can imagine, winter here in Colorado that goes below -20 F for many months, tornadoes and has been struck by lightning already this year. No problems. I have a barn full of damaged antennas including a HyGain log periodic, TH-7DX, KT-34, Cubex Quad and all have succumbed to Colorado weather. The SteppIR antenna is the best I have ever used. My four element is about 14 months old and I have worked over 250 countries on twenty during this period.
The Stepper motors used in the beam construction are the same units used in commercial aviation. These motors have over a 500,000 hour MTBF. That is over 57 years of 24 by 7 operation. Mike, John and Jim at Fluidmotion are wonderful to work with. Always helpful, great attention to detail and back their product 100%...no questions asked. You have a problem, they take of you. In my 45 years of ham radio I have never experienced a better group to work with.
When you consider this is a mono band beam on all the frequencies from 13.7 to 55 MHz it is quite a performer. Today during the CQ world wide contest a 9L/M0FDH came on the air from Sierra Leone on 28.770 MHz. Total S9+15 QRM. Yes we all have amps but breaking a pile up from Colorado with the whole east cost calling Sierra Leone is no easy chore. Third try I got him. This is a typical SteppIR story.
Bottom line is if you are serious about multiband HF DXing this is the best antenna made.
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RE: SteppIR Antennas
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by KC8VWM on October 31, 2004
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Why not call the manufacturer directly to find out what tests and operating conditions they subjected the antenna under?
just my 2 cents.
Charles - KC8VWM
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RE: SteppIR Antennas
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by W9WHE-II on November 1, 2004
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I DO OWN a stepper and live 130 miles south of chicago. My Steppir dipole is VERTICALLY mounted. It has been up in the cold and it never has exhibited any problems related to temprature.
IGNORE the "I don't own one, but I can tell you all about them" crowd.
W9WHE
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RE: SteppIR Antennas
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by KC8VWM on November 1, 2004
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"IGNORE the "I don't own one, but I can tell you all about them" crowd."
Some people may not actually own one, but they might have done some research and might offer some helpful suggestions or specific insight on them. Perhaps even to the extent than actual owners might be able to offer.
I resent short sighted views directed toward "volunteers" who are contributing their own personal time to make these forums beneficial for the purpose of helping others.
73
Charles - KC8VWM
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RE: SteppIR Antennas
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by LU1HQV on November 1, 2004
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I used a big steppir vertical in calgary, canada..
Under ice and snow, I be able to keep comunicate all winter withound any trouble.
Actually I'm living in california and my vertical steppir still do a very very great job!!!
STEPPIR IS SO FAR BEST VERTICAL IN THE WORLD ACTUALLY..
(Second place for force12...)
jose
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