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Reviews For: SteppIr 2 element

Category: Antennas: HF: Yagi, Quad, Rotary dipole, LPDA

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Review Summary For : SteppIr 2 element
Reviews: 13MSRP: 1335
Description:
The 2 Element Yagi has the highest value-to-performance of any of our antennas and is the antenna of choice for DX-peditions. It actually performs more like a smaller 3 element yagi, due to it’s innovative 57 inch boom. This spacing allows for optimal performance throughout it’s frequency range with a definitive caveat – it would normally only be good for about 100 KHz of bandwidth. In the fixed element era of Yagi antennas, it was not feasible to make an antenna with such little bandwidth, but when you have an adjustable antenna like a SteppIR, it’s no problem at all! The basic model has a frequency coverage of 13.9 to 54 Mhz. With the addition of a optional 40M/30M rotatable Dipole you can also have 30 and 40M coverage, 40M through 6M all on one very small antenna.

Product is in production
More Info: http://www.steppir.com/2-element-yagi
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00134.5
KE4WY Rating: 2013-04-26
Pleased with performance Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my 2 element Steppir up since 2001. No issues with the antenna itself. We have had the control box that
Sits on the desk upgraded once and replaced a bad board
In the box. This was about 3 years back. I don't remember the cost but do remember it was quite reasonable less
$100.

We have always been able to work any new ones needed.

Due to it being up 12 years now I am sure we should pull it down for general maintenance. When we do we will consider adding 40 meters to it.

I do believe if its not broke don't fix it. Our trusty CDE (Hygain) Ham IV was bought new in 1982 and been in service with no issues working flawlessly for 31 years.

Not sure how the Antenna would holdup on a higher tower in a treeless open area exposed to high winds but this one has stayed up on a short 40 ft tower in an area loaded with trees that do break some of the wind.
W9LP Rating: 2013-04-25
Suprising Performer! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I could see in February 2007 that my ground-mounted vertical wasn't going to be enough to bag the much-needed BS7H Scarborough Reef DX-pedition that April. I could also see that a traditional antenna installation was out of the question during our Chicago winter. So I opted for 40' of Rohn 25 and the SteppIR 2 element yagi temporarily strapped to my chimney.

To look at it, this antenna seems neither show nor substance... two elements on a 57" boom covering 20m thru 6m? I was expecting a marginal improvement over my vertical at best... nothing more.

While I had no luck with BS7H, this antenna worked so surprisingly well that it remained in the "temporary" location for another two years until I put up my permanent tower and Dream Beam. The forward gain was quite respectable, front-to-back was comparable to a 3 element yagi I'd owned in another life and the side rejection was absolutely awesome.

This antenna is light, easily constructed/maintained and a great overall performer given its size. Of course, it comes with the traditional benefits of a SteppIR... perfect VSWR on all bands and automated control if you connect it to your Rig and PC.

I have no concerns using this 2 El as a main antenna and have recommended just that to several other hams with more constrained physical settings. I keep mine as a backup to my DB-18E, for use at our DX club's annual convention here in Chicago and for portable needs as the opportunity arises.

If your antenna setting is constrained, you should give this antenna very serious consideration.
WX2CX Rating: 2013-04-12
Second winter and still working! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great antenna. Got it about 2 years ago and worth every penny. Have it up on a 10ft roof tower and performs excellent!
Easy to assemble, make sure you have enough space to work on it. Sales and technical support are awesome. Received with missing fiber poles, called steppIr and had the missing parts at my door in 48hrs!
F/B is super and very directional. Upgrading soon to another steppIr!