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| Reviews Summary for SteppIr BigIr Vertical |
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Reviews: 43
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $759
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Description: 40 to 6 meters 1/4 vertical- no traps, coils or capacitors.
can be used as a 3/4 wave vertical 21mhz and above. 32 ft length, radials required.
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More info: http://www.steppir.com
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write your own review of the SteppIr BigIr Vertical.
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KJ6RO
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 7, 2010 09:05
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really works
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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We just finished ground mounted installation of a Big IR. We have about 20 radials, the longest 2 are 30 feet or so. Many are in the 10-15 foot range due to space considerations. It took me from September 2009 to just now to get this
done including the 10 plus week wait for delivery and the heavy rains on Northern California in the winter.
I just want to say that it works like a charm. The SWR is no higher than 1.5:1
anywhere. In addition, I hear about a 2 S unit increase over what I hear with my
Carolina Windom 40, which is in an inverted V about 25 feet at the top.(I did
not get the 80 meter coil, as I have no room for long radials)
It is also very stealthy. It is on the side of the house and it is basically hidden by trees all around.
Just wanted to share a success story.
Richard
W6RIG
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KE6MTX
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 7, 2009 08:41
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No beam, but great antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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My SteppIR BigIR was ordered with the 80 meter coil and SDA100 controller on 07/21/09 and the big brown truck dropped it off on 11/18/09. A long lag time, but SteppIR got hit with the flu bug in that time frame. It hit my job and we were very short handed for awhile too.
Now this antenna replaced a 2 year old Butternut HF9V. Doing a A/B comparison was eye opening. I couldn't even hear some of the QSO's with the HF9V. It's fun to use the 3/4 wave feature on 6 to 15 meters. No more tuners to mess with and my amplifier is not tripping off because of SWRs over 2.5:1. Now the SteppIR BigIR is no beam on a 100' tower, but its a huge difference from what I had.
I use the SteppIR SDA100 with a "Y" cable to connect my TS-2000 and my Mac running Aether logging software. Everything worked from the get go. I can even use SkyCommand with my TH-D7A(G) and switch bands with no problems. The controller follows the radio as it should.
Like some other reviews have stated, the literature is geared toward the beams. But it's a pretty strait forward antenna and easily assembled by one person (that was my case).
As far as customer support, I can't comment on that. I've never had a reason to call or e-mail SteppIR.
When it is time for another upgrade in a year or two, I will order another SteppIR antenna without hesitation. Maybe a DB18 and a 50' tower?
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ON5CQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 4, 2009 12:04
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graet antennas
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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hallo i'am ON5CQ and i'am use now this fantastic antenna now for more than one and ahalf yaer without problems with a 180 degree radialsysteem. a use 36 radials from +- 5metres and it works fantastic with my ic7400 and my amp expert 1k fa also with 1kw. also if you have questions and need technical support you have direct a good awnser from the steppirteam. the antenna is not sheap but it hives a lot of satisfaction simply a verry good product. 73s to all the steppir users and enjoy the antennas ON5CQ PHILIP.
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W4PGM
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 3, 2009 13:41
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Great Antenna, Great Support
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have looked at purchasing this antenna for quite a while and recently was able to buy one used. The performance is outstanding. I replace a 5BTV that worked well with the radial system, but I was not prepared for the signal increase that the Steppir offered at my location. Stations that I talk to normally all report a better signal and I hear more than in the past. I have a very marginal location; in a hole with radials only in a 90 degree pattern. The installation is straightforward, although as others have said the manual does need some work.
If you do need Tech Support their support is superb. The issues that I had we all self induced, but Marty spent an hour with me making sure that I had corrected the issues and had a good working knowledge of the antenna.
The unit is definitely worth the money in my opinion. I just wish I had bought one earlier.
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K3GM
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 10, 2009 17:59
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Performs like a 1/4 wave should perform.....
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This antenna is all about it's mechanics. Take that feature away and it basically just a plain vanilla 1/4 wave vertical. There are no mystic claims made by SteppIR that this will outperform other 1/4 wave antennas. The former 20 meter 1/4 vertical wire hung from a tree limb worked just as well as my BigIR. Its frequency agility is what makes it unique. It's been troublefree since put into service. I opted for the the 80 meter coil and it too has worked well. The installation instructions clearly suggest the options for guying the radiator's fiberglass radome. For elevated installations, I'd would say that guying is imperative. Mine is ground mounted, and it's guyed in one place as recommended. As with any 1/4 wave vertical radiator mounted over typical soil, ground radials are necessary. The only thing I've done to my antenna is add a 3rd party UNUN transformer at its feedpoint. I have a rather low feedpoint impedance due to the size of my radial field. This created a built-in mismatch with the 50ohm transmission line. I added a 1.56:1 UNUN from Balun Designs and everything seems to be happy.
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WA5NNV
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 10, 2009 14:45
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Still Working Well
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is a follow up report on the BigIR Vertical.
The antenna has been in service at my QTH for approximately
18 months now with thirty two (32) thirty foot radials, ground mounted.
There has not been one moments problem with the antenna and the SWR's have remained very low. The ease of changing bands is outstanding. I do not have the 80 meter coil.
Most pleased with the operation and contacts made to date and would recommend this antenna to anyone dealing with HOA restrictions.
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WB9GZL
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Rating: 5/5
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May 8, 2009 21:48
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Exceptional Customer Service
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased the BigIR for two reasons. First, the innovative design creates a resonant antenna at essentially any frequency from 6-40m. Second, the antenna is quite stealthy, and no one in my CC&R riddled subdivision has given it so much as a second look.
Although I did have a bit of difficulty understanding some portions of the instruction manual, my emails to SteppIR were answered quickly and thoroughly. SteppIR customer service is exceptional.
I am pleased to be an owner of a BigIR vertical.
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W8JN
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Rating: 5/5
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May 8, 2009 12:28
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PHENOMENAL
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have the big ir mark3 with the 80 metet coil. Rather than put you to sleep with ten pages of blahhh blahhh blahhh, here are three items that have made me a lifelong customer. 1) We had 90 mph sustained winds from hurricaine Gustov. The big IR turned into the letter C for 6 hours. Absolutely no damage whatsoever (guyed). 2) The copper line stripped out on the bottom (my fault) and of course the big ir would not extend the copper ribbon. 3) Marty repaired it under warranty, no questions asked. Marty is the best and steppir has earned my loyalty.
73 Paul w8jn
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AA6VB
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 8, 2009 08:55
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Great Antenna
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have had the BigIR with 80 meter coil for about 6 months, and have tested it extensively against my (pre-MFJ) Hy-Gain DX-77 on 15 - 40.
Both antennas are elevated. Both perform well for verticals. At times, the antennas are equal in performance. Sometimes the DX-77 is better. The large majority of the time, however, signals on the BigIR are between 6 and 18 db stronger than on the DX-77 (that's 1 to 3 S Units), with only a slight increase in noise. No kidding. The antenna is amazing.
The BigIR is a real winner, if only because it is a full 1/4 long on each band - 40 through 6 (plus the 5/8 wave feature on some bands). This means the antenna is more efficient than a trapped vertical and has less loss. So, signals are stronger. I do miss the auto-band change of the DX-77 but am willing to accept the time it takes to shift the BigIR to another band as a trade off for a major improvement in performance. It seems like a small price to pay, and it only takes a few seconds.
The antenna is expensive, but then the improved performance is well worth the price. As they say, you get what you pay for.
73,
Bob/AA6VB
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AB9OS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 10, 2009 08:54
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Great vertical
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Last winter I ordered my BigIR Vertical with 80 meter coil. It arrived this spring and I put it up on a sunny Saturday.
I have attached 60 radials, 48 are 16' and 12 are 40' long. I'm using a radial plate from Penninger radio to make the job of securing the radials neat and easy. I have no guy wires attached.
The manual could be better but I was able to assemble and get on the air in the same day. I mostly work 100 watt CW and have worked all over the world no problem. The SWR's are mostly between 1:1 and 1:2 on 6 meters through 40 meters and 1:3 on 80 meters. I have played with making fine adjustments to the tuning but find I am very happy with the performance as is. I have some trees and a shed very near the antenna which are probably the cause of SWR's. Like I said, I'm very happy with it as is and I don't use an antenna tuner.
It is winter again and the antenna has survived the strong winds and rain of spring, summer and fall and made it through a couple of cold snaps and ice/snow falls this winter.
The controller is very basic and easy to use. I just manually make adjustments to band and frequency as I go. It could be hooked up to the radio and automatically tune with the radio but I haven't used that feature yet.
I am very happy with this product. When I first received the antenna I called the manufacturer for advice on ground radials and they were very nice, knowledgable and wanted to help. I would definitely buy this antenna again and would recommend it to anyone.
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