| N3OYO |
Rating:      |
2007-03-26 | |
| Awesome! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
When I ordered the SteppIR BigIR, I was told 4 to 6 weeks, and that's about what it took. It came well boxed via UPS. Radials are needed, so I put down 60 of them, using the DX Engineering Radial Plate and made them using DX Engineering's Radial kit(s). I used their lawn staples to tack them down to the lawn. (Home Depot sell's them for $9/for 75) The controller cable (ordered separately) for the SteppIR cannot be direct-buried, so I ran buried PVC to the antenna. I mounted the mounting pole in concrete.
Now..the antenna..This one replaced my Cushcraft R6000. I won't beat a dead horse, but the R6000 compared to this (IMO) was a, well, read my review on that POS. The SteppIR BigIR..Assembly was a cinch. Everything you need is included, electrical tape, silicone self-fusing tape, etc, enough for the assembly if you follow the instructions. It's light enough to install by yourself.
Operation: The Controller box come's with it, and I purchased the transceiver interface cable, so when I change bands/freqs on my Icom 746Pro, the controller box changes the antenna length. There are factory presets as far as band segments, but you can go into "Setup" and modify the settings. I used my AEA VIA Analyst to fine-tune them. Across the bands, my average SWR is probably around 1.04 to 1. The highest is on 40M, around 1.14 to 1. There's a "3/4 Wave" button, so you can run the antenna @ 3/4 wave between 50Mhz and 21Mhz. Performance?..You have to experience it for yourself. If you're used to using trap verticals, etc, you're in for a surprise. I've heard friends dipoles, etc..All I can say is, the bands come "alive" with the SteppIR BigIR! Having an antenna that's resonate on the frequency you're using is fantastic! Need more info, let me know, but this antenna IS what they say it is! |
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| IN3BAO |
Rating:      |
2006-10-26 | |
| Very nice Antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Simpy nice Antenna!!!!! |
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| W1AJT |
Rating:      |
2006-09-07 | |
| Truly Great Antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I do not own a Fluidmotion BiggIR or any other Fluidmotion product. However, I have just finished using a BiggIR during the Disaster Response Demonstration – Strong Angel III – from August 20 to 27 in San Diego, CA. Our event station’s call was W6W. Neither the other operator VE3FF or I ever assembled a SteppIR product. The antenna went together easily in less than one hour by the two of us. The antenna was installed on a one story roof with 8x30 ft radials unobstructed to the North only. Being a disaster response exercise the antenna’s light weight, quick assembly and breakdown, plus compact size was critical.
BiggIR made a big hit with both government and non-government organizations after explaining how it works. It totally eliminates the need for multiple antennas or tuners for the frequencies it covers.
Even though conditions were as poor as we have experienced in a combined 90 years of ham radio operating we were able to make a significant number of contacts as far away as French Polynesia, and Palmyra and Jarvis Islands, all with 100 watts. The SteppIR enabled simulated emergency message handling throughout North America and relays into Europe. Many stations gave us unsolicited strong reports. A truly great antenna. {A second station close to the harbour with dipoles on three story buildings clear on all sides only made a handful of contacts outside of California.)
I and the Strong Angel team greatly appreciated the lending of the antenna by Fluidmotion and its ability to help make our event tasks a success. You can see www.strongangel3.net for more information on the event.
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| VE7YSC |
Rating:      |
2006-07-04 | |
| Throw away the antenna tuner. |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
The ideal vertical antenna providing the right length for use between 6.900 to 54.000
( continuous coverage ).
Loading coil is now available for 80 meters.
The vertical antenna has a Stepper motor that adjusts the antenna's copper strip to the band of operation. The motor is commanded from the shack by a microprocessor controller.
A Controller interface for your rig is available for popular models.
The antenna is well constructed of quality materials and has easy assembly.
When directions are followed for radial or counterpoise length , less then 1:2 to 1 SWR can be achieved on all ham bands.
The antenna is cheaper then some expensive tuners that only match the line between the rig and the tuner.
I have owned many vertical antenna's and this antenna is in a class by itself. I am not aware of any other antenna on the market that does
not need coils, traps, capacitors or linear loading for multi-band use.
Mike and his staff at Fluidmotion Inc. are very supportive and give excellent, prompt, courteous service. |
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| G7VJR |
Rating:      |
2006-05-12 | |
| Extremely good |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I use a BiggIR in a limited garden here in the UK, and with buildings in the vicinity. I've buried lots of radials but it will never be an ideal QTH. The 3/4 mode (21MHz up) works extremely well for me, giving me extra height eg. on 10m to work stations I would be struggling with on 1/4 wave. I've had some great contacts beyond my expectations, having come from a Hustler 6BTV. This is the best vertical, nothing else has the inherent advantages of the Steppir concept. |
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| KY6R |
Rating:      |
2006-03-11 | |
| Elegant Solution |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have recently downsized to a smaller home, and could either put up a doublet high in the trees or a vertical. I have had lots of experience with the Force-12 Sigma short hatted dipoles and Cushcraft MA8040V verticals - all great antennas, but you have to use a tuner to get to the opposite band edge, or to use them on other bands that they are not tuned to.
I wanted to avoid using a tuner this time around, and so the BigIR is the only game in town.
It's construction is excellent, easy to put together, and the best thing I did was purchase 2 sets of band radial "kits" from SteppIR. Last summer (at my old house) I had put together 64 1/4 wl radials for my MA8040V, and used a DX Engineering balun and radial plate and tilt over hardware.
I found that the cost of buying the SteppIR radial kits (56 radials in all) was actually the same price as buying 4 500' spools of 12 gauge THHN (solid copper) wire at Ace Hardware (I know - you can get it cheaper elsewhere . .. ). I also did not need the DX Engineering radial plate or tilt over hardware at my new house, so I did save money and time. I actually like the fact that all radial sets attach directly to a large bolt on the SteppIR.
I can only run radials fanned out in one direction, but that doesn't seem to affect my efficiency or "directionality" much at all. The antenna is at least as good as the other verticals I've used, and actually better (I can't do A-B tests). The efficiency of not using a tuner alone is worth it.
This antenna is more expensive than a Cushcraft MA8040V, but if you also bought a tuner to use with the MA8040V, you would have spent even more money than on the SteppIR. I also think the SteppIR prices are as good or better than the Force-12 short hatted verticals - in fact better since you only need one antenna to cover all bands.
If the SteppIR motor ever goes out, it will be so easy to replace with this vertical.
I use it with the Orion band module, and the SteppIR tunes itself when I change bands or frequencies with the Orion.
Its such a fantastic antenna - and such a great idea.
The people at SteppIR were wonderful and responsive - the best I've seen in the amateur radio antenna market.
Rich
KY6R |
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| KD4AC |
Rating:      |
2006-02-15 | |
| One Of The Best |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
While I've only had my BigIR up for a few days, I wanted to make some initial comments about this antenna.
To start with, there are very few parts to lose and the antenna is incredibly easy to assemble. The first step involves simply connecting a PVC extender/guide inside the lower section of the antenna that also houses the stepper motor. There's already a section of PVC pipe extending from the housing with a PVC coupler so all you have to do is insert the extender into the coupler. The PVC pipe acts as a guide for the copper tape and helps support it to keep it from binding or collapsing under its own weight as it extends to its full length for 40M. After that, you simply extend the fiberglass mast and ensure that each section is locked in place. Then you wrap each joint with electrical tape and self vulcanizing silicon tape to ensure water doesn't get inside. A word about the silicon tape...make sure you stretch the tape as you wrap. If you don't, you won't have enough to cover all the joints. I didn't do this and I had to buy more at The Home Depot. Once you're done with that, it's simply a matter of slipping the whole assembly over the included mounting pipe, connect the ground radials, the control cable for the stepper motor and coax.
My installtion was rather involved. In my case, because of deed restrictions, I had to install my BigIR at ground level. I dug a trench and routed all my cables through PVC pipe out to the mounting location. To get the control cable through the wall, I had to cut the serial connector off and re-install it once the cable was routed. I also laid out 50 ground radials using a DX Engineering radial plate. The radials range from 20' to over 50'. I used a Black & Decker Edger/Trencher to cut slits in the yard and pushed the radials into the slits. After a few weeks, you'd never know they were there.
Once I had everything connected, I powered up the radio and then the controller. I decided to check the SWR starting from 6M (shortest) to 40M (longest). On 6M, the SWR was high. I decided to try the "3/4 wave" mode and the match was 1.2:1 Why use 1/4 wave when you can use 3/4? So no big problem and the SWR was probably caused by the antenna interacting with a chain link fence nearby. On 10, 12, 15, 17, 20 and 30 meters the match was perfect. On 40M the match was well over a 3:1 with resonance actually occuring at 7.750 MHz. A quick call to SteppIR revealed the problem. I bought my antenna a year ago and had it in the garage while I waited to obtain permission from the HOA. SteppIR has found that some verticals had problems with the copper tape stalling or binding just above the PVC guide. On the newer runs of this antenna they've started shipping an additional 10' section of PVC. I was prefectly willing to buy my own section of PVC but SteppIR is sending it to me free of charge.
So far, on the bands that I've used, signals are good and I look forward to getting on 40M since most of the other bands have been suffering from poor conditions. As the previous reviewer stated, SteppIR is working on an 80M loading coil. While it certainly won't be as good as a full size 1/4 wave, it will certainly allow me to get on the band and probably have better bandwidth than other verticals on the market. |
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| K7UA |
Rating:      |
2005-12-12 | |
| Great antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I've had my BiggIR up for just a few weeks. It may be the best 40m dx antenna that I have ever used in 40 years of hamming. (I know that sounds ridiculous for such a small antenna, but it's true.) When mine arrived, it had some kind of a problem. The element would not extend all the way out for 40m. I sent it back to FuidMotion and they quickly fixed the problem. The tuning mechanism is ingenious. Trap verticals have always been a pain and with the new WARC bands they are now completely unmanageable. Some of the alternatives are very bulky. My green bean pole rocks. It does need a decent ground. Don't expect miracles from any vertical without a good ground system. This antenna is a winner. Especially for small lots like mine. Also, SteppIR is coming out with an 80m loading coil early next year. Might not be ultra efficient, but I expect it will be pretty good. K7IR has created something new in the world of antennas. |
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| LU1HQV |
Rating:      |
2004-11-04 | |
| Great antenna! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
My steppir vertical keep erected under 75 miles winds today.. I'm really asombred about strong and flexibility this antenna..
I erected maybe two months ago; I'm living in top hills, very windy place.. and really this antenna is very very strong.
Other sensacional question is qsl's... I worked 150 countrys in one month just whit this antenna...
Only problem for me was counterpoise; my antenna is in top 8 feet mastil and I install tree counterpoise for each band I work; it's a little mess but my swr is 1:1 in all bands.. perfect!
I don't need to touch tuner for nothing.
My yaesu ft-857 is a little recklest when antenna have swr but whit steppir I don't have any problem.
Great service and great antenna!
I'll go for dipole!!!!
jose castro
LU1HQV |
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| K1NG |
Rating:      |
2004-06-04 | |
| It's everything I hoped for... |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I've had my BigIR for two months now, it is ground mounted with a DX Engineering radial plate. I have 10 resonant radials on each band 30-6m, 16 on 40m and 8 on 80/75m (a 80/75, 60m assembly will be available soon). Performance is superb. It is not as noisy as other verticals I have used and it has good ears! I use the transceiver interface using writelog or CT, when the radio changes bands the BigIR follows rapidly when in general mode. VSWR is about 1.4:1 on all bands and can de lowered manually if desired. the 3/4 wavelength mode (15-6m) adds a bit of punch to my 100 watt signal. Very easy to assemble and one man installation. I live in the western suburbs of Chicago, the month of may brought incredible winds and rain, severe thunderstorms were a daily occurence. At one time, when taking my puppy out the wx turned for the worst and I watched this 32' tall vertical form an almost perfect right angle in 87mph winds. Lighting strikes followed by thunder within 1 second made me very pleased that the radiator was safe in the retracted position. Would I buy another one? I am so as to phase them for gain and directivity. I feel this is a revolutionary antenna design, especially to those amateur's relegated to verticals. If you have any questions e-mail: john.olsen atus.army.mil, 73 de John |
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