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I am looking to replace my lil' C3SS with a bigger yagi - with an 18 foot boom.

Looks like the Force-12 XR-5 might be the best bet (I don't want the Steppir - too heavy for my crank up and rotator).

[ZS1DX]

The XR-5 weighs 56 pounds, the 3-el SteppIR weighs 45 pounds. Wind surface area for the XR-5 is 8.5 sqft, for the SteppIR the wind load is 6 sqft. The 3-el SteppIR will outperform the XR-5 easily, since the F12 is basically a 2-el Yagi. The Steppir will be easier on your tower. I have the same problem as you, and am trying to decide between the 3-el SteppIR and Optibeam OB9-5. There seems to be no good reason not to get the SteppIR IMHO. 73

[ZS1DX]

Rich, I forgot to mention the 2-el SteppIR. Slightly less wind load than your C-3SS and only slightly heavier. Gain and F/B are similar to the XR-5. Another interesting antenna is the F12 DXer/S: Similar to the C-3S, but for 20/17/15 meters. A Hex-Beam would give you 5 bands with very low rotor/tower stress. I might even go that way myself. Good luck OM! Chris.

BTW, Rich was the first USA station I ever worked on SSB!

[N6PSE]

I am planning to replace my C3SS with the Steppir 3L. I need better performance on 17 meters and the C3SS is terrible there.

My Steppir arrives in about 4-6 weeks and I can't wait!

Paul de N6PSE