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| Reviews Summary for SteppIR Fluidmotion 4 Element |
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Reviews: 23
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Average rating: 4.3/5
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MSRP: $2095 USD
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Description: A 4 element yagi with continuously adjustable elements, driven by a
controller that can derive frequency from your transceiver, and automatically
tune the antenna to provide near 1:1 SWR at any given frequency from 20 - 6
meters. Features 180 degree reverse operation with the push of a button, as
well as (reduced) gain in two directions at once. Elements are contained in
fiberglass tubes. Two additional passive elements for 6 meters provide a 6
element yagi at extra cost. For long coantrol cable runs (over 200 feet) an
optional 33 VDC power supply provides the extra punch needed to ensure
correct operation. SteppIR antennas are "modular", meaning they can be
expanded by purchasing a kit to add new elements when the company
develops them. When they come out with a 5 element yagi, buying a kit will
allow you to upgrade to the newest configuration.
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.steppir.com/
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write your own review of the SteppIR Fluidmotion 4 Element.
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N0AG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 7, 2011 06:34
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2+ years & great performance
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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OK...First of all, I live in the RF Blackhole of the US. I decided about three years ago I needed to go big or go home. Replaced a 70' 25G and TH7 with a 120' of 45G and the 4 el steppIR. I designed & built a falling derrick tower raising system, incorporated a NN4ZZ Tiltplate (UNGODLY expensive but worth every penny).
First: Read the Manual! You need to pay attention to the instructions and steppIR reflector BEFORE U start putting ur antenna together. Google "steppir installation problems" BEFORE you get this thing 100' in the air!
Second: Take your time & be painstaking when wiring your antenna. Triple check your connections & weather proof everything.
Third: Once you get this antenna in the air sit back and enjoy what you have. Essentially a 4 el mono bander on 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 meters, the performance is outstanding. I was a bit concerned about the boot connections and the fiberglass element connections (just held together by tape) but after two plus years in the Kansas climate lab it has survived -20 to 105 degree temperatures and 80 mph winds.
This antena is expensive and probably not for a lot of Hams BUT if you are after serious DX or you are limited to a single tower this could be the antenna for you. It WORKS.
I can't really comment on the support aspect from steppIR, other than a couple of e-mails I have not needed any support.
Good Luck & Good DX Tom...NĜAG
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W5DDW
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 18, 2010 15:32
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Almost 10 years up and still going strong.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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One of the first production 4ele SteppIR antennas sold and was erected on a 55' US fold-over tower. Here are my results and observations:
What I like:
1. A solid performer DX antenna that will open and close 20m when other antennas become deft.
2. Fast 180 degree checks of propagation (is the signal on LP or SP). I can change direction simply by flipping the antenna electronically. Amazingly versatile performance.
3. Incredible F/B and side nulls with excellent gain. CW at 100w becomes a big signal.
4. Mono-band performance on all bands 20 and above in one antenna. Although 10m F/B seems low, the forward gain is amazing.
What others should know:
1. Robust construction when assembled with care, that will survive winds, ice and storms (I retract the elements at the first sign of lightning.
2. Requires patience and testing when assembling. It is not plug and play. This is a physically big antenna.
3. Requires maintenance similar to other full size yagis such as periodic tightening of boom clamps, coax replacement etc.
4. Eventually, you will want to replace the rubber boots, phylistran boom guys and repaint the fiberglass elements.
What would I change:
1. More complete assembly instructions with more pictures and explanations that even a dummy like me can use. (this may have recently changed)
2. A better housing at the antenna for the element control cable terminations.
3. Lightning protection for control cables built in rather than an option.
In summation:
This is a serious antenna that requires investment of your time and energy but will pay off with long haul DX performance when others are straining to hear what you are working.
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G4BIM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 28, 2010 12:11
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The best so far
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have read with great interest the comments good and bad made about the 4 element SteppIR.
Some maybe genuine failures and others may be for other reasons not necessarily attributable to the design or the manufacturer.
I now have almost 3 years of experience with SteppIR products with a Big SteppIR Vertical, a 3 element and also a 4 element Yagi, at an elevated location only a kilometre from the English Channel.
Yes I have had 2 temporary failures in that time, one self inflicted and the other not so much a failure as a replacement of some rubber gators.
For those who read this report, remember the following when comparing this design to mono and trapped multiband alternatives:
180deg polar electrical reversal in around 3 seconds with only a few db degradation in forward gain.
Terrific front back performance.
Near perfect SWR wherever you choose to go.
Copper conductors for all 4 elements, not inferior aluminium.
In normal horizontal operation, elements protected and enclosed from the weather vastly reducing the possibility of corrosion.
At the press of a button in the shack you can redesign the antenna and save the settings for forward, reverse and dipole mode, to suit your operating requirements giving better front to back or forward gain.
This is a product for Radio Amateurs not Commercial Stations. Its construction may not be perfect, most products are not these days, but an HF antenna with this capability and electrical performance built to MIL spec, would cost a very great deal more than its current price.
If you are happy to compromise with trapped Yagis and log periodics, then dont buy the SteppIR.
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N0AG
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 23, 2009 15:24
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WOW!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Seems you either LOVE this thing or HATE it. I LOVE mine!
I've had it up (120' on a 45G) since March 2009 so about 7 months.
Solar Cycle doldrums but this thing can HEAR and if you can HEAR in Kansas you can hear from anywhere. I just have not had any problems so far. Winter is coming though and we will see how it fares through an ice storm or two.
Tom...NĜAG
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GM4YSN
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Rating: 2/5
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Jul 29, 2009 05:39
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MECHANICALLY UNDER PAR
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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HAD A 4 ELEMENT UP FOR ABOUT TWELVE MONTHS. IN THAT TIME ONE HALF OF BOTH THE DIRECTORS CRASHED TO THE GROUND TWICE. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE ELEMENTS RETRACTED BUT BEFORE I COULD WORK ON THE TOWER WATER GOT INTO THE MOTOR.
THE REFLECTOR CAME LOOSE ON THE BRACKET AND ELONGATED THE HOLES IN THE BOOM ALLOWING THE ELEMENT TO MOVE IN AND OUT OF LINE.
ELECTRICALLY A WONDERFUL IDEA AND THE PERFORMANCE IS GOOD BUT MECHANICALLY IT DEFINATELY NEEDS SOME IMPROVEMENT TO SURVIVE A SCOTTISH WINTER.
WHEN I TOOK IT TO PIECES TO PUT IT BACK IN GARAGE TWO OF THE ELEMENTS WOULD NOT PART COMPANY FROM THE MOTOR HOUSING. SORRY TO SAY I'VE GONE BACK TO A CONVENTIONAL YAGI.
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KL7GS
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Rating: 2/5
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Mar 6, 2009 23:26
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Good when it works
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Installed a 4 el SteppIR on October 2005, and took about 8 hours to assemble on top of a 80' guyed Rohn 25 tower using the PVRC method in the ARRL Handbook. The rubber plumbing pipe adaptors that attach the fiberglass elements to the motor housing stubs, have rotted. One fiberglass element crashed to the ground a few weeks after the 3 year extended warranty expired. The inner metal tape was extended, and flapped around in the wind until I retracted it. The tape is kinked and the bullet end is missing. The factory sent new boots and a new fiberglass element at no charge, but to lower the antenna, in the middle of the Alaska winter, NO - I'll wait until spring, in May or June. SteppIR has recommended I replace the entire motor housing, which will require lowering the antenna from the tower. So I'm looking at 16 hours of work just to lower the antenna and raise it again, plus the time to replace a motor unit.
Anyone thinking about this antenna, must seriously look at installing it on a crank up tilt over tower, because it probably will need to be lowered regularly for repairs and maintenance.
On the Yahoo SteppIR chat group, I was thrashed for saying anything bad about the antenna, and for even thinking of installing it on a fixed tower, and not on a crank up tilt over.
When this antenna works it works nicely, BUT do not expect it to work all the time. You need to be able to access all the elements. My old HyGain TH6DXX worked fine for 20 years, until the crank up guyed tower came down in a storm. I'm considering a TH7DX rather than disassemble, lower, repair and raise the SteppIR. And then know that I may have to lower the SteppIR again in a few years. I'm in my 60's, am not afraid of heights, but am no longer a good tower monkey, with declining agility and strength to man handle this antenna at the tower top.
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N7WX
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 23, 2008 08:28
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After 4/12 years
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Boy after 4 1/2 years still going strong, no
problems as yet...Very windy up here on top of a Island in the Pacific Northwest...I knew I was in good hands when Mike K7IR came up and helped us put it together..What a great guy..If you have problems or questions get in touch with Steppir, They are real busy and well get back to you in do time..
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LA3ZPA
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 22, 2008 09:18
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I love it
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Hi all
I order my from VineCom and Ron. Ron give the first class service.
I have 4L with the optional 30/40 dipole, 6m passive element and Icom interface. It play like it all come from the same manufacturer.
The antenna are mounted at @ 20m(65 ft) crack-up tower wit tilt over module from Westower model 3HD.
The assembly was just fun.
The performance are fantastic, point and run with only 85w from my ProIII.
My first test was at the 07 CQ WW SSB, I have to see I am so imprest with the performance, 2 call at HC8A an I was in the log, the pil-up was BIG!!!. Same with KH2,ZL,VK and so.... and I can't here this station on my BigIR.
Fome 10-20m the difference's are between 5-7S on the 4L VS BigIR 1/4 vertical with 40 radials 10-20m and .
40m the are almost same on DX, local in Europa the dipole are better.
After 30 zone in my log I don't believe my one eyes.
If you can hear them, you cant run them from 10 to 20m :-)
I have not tested the 4L on 6m, non conditions when I have been on the air.
The SWR are from 1:1 to max 1:1.2 10-40m not bad. The SWR on 6m are 1.4-1.5.
The performance on 40m are as expected, not a beam just a dipole.
The SteppIR are worth every penny.
So fare I am enormous happy with this masterpiece.
73 de LA3ZPA
Ronny
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N0HR
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 14, 2008 10:56
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Worth the wait
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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My SteppIR 4 element is installed at 71 ft (about 12 ft below a Cushcraft XM240 40 m beam). Performance has been very good. The ability to use the 180 degree and bi-directional features gives a clear advantage over traditional antennas - at least for contesters. Are there some disadvantages? Sure.
I've used many yagis over the years, but so far, I consider this to be a great antenna purchase with a lot of bang-for-the-buck.
Performance:
Certainly seems to work well and live up to its specs.
Mechanical:
I find that there is both pros and cons with this antenna. I've outlined these on my website.
Support: Great in every case. Lead time will be long though.
Price: Expensive - but you're buying a cutting edge product in high demand. So, it's justified in my mind.
For my detailed review (with links to installation photos, etc.) see my reviews page:
http://www.n0hr.com/HamRadioReviews/
Overall, I'd recommend this antenna.
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IW0CMM
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Rating: 1/5
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Nov 22, 2007 04:53
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Why only 1 for me ?
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Hi guys,
this is my experience with SteppIR 4 el.
Put on my tower of 20mt in september 2005 and
this is the start of my disadventure:
only 2 mount and the 2nd element motor is broken,
with new motor ( thanks Ron) after some mount
i have a problem with reflector motor and 1° director but replace it in warranty.
In summer 2007 whe need a new control box eeprom
and in november 2007 the boom is broken cause from
90km/h wind.... This is the definitivly and of my
SteppIR 4el. I'm sorry but this is the fact.
The performance on 20mt is not like the expectations and i explayng why:
on my second tower of 15mt i have a x7 chuscraft
antenna and on 20mt band (switc with pro3) the signal comin in and out from steppir is worse about 3 smeter pounts.
I'm very sorry but the SteppIR is not a good
compromise for me. The good antenna is the tradiotional force12 or full size antenna.
For any question email at iw0cmm ( @ ) tiscali.it
73
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