| K9SO |
Rating:  |
2020-11-11 | |
| Engineering and tooling excellence |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
My new DB18e saw first light at the top of my new 70 foot tower two weeks ago. This is a big and very complex antenna.
Unlike other ham market antenna products, this one shows its solid engineering and tooling excellence. An antenna this big and complex could not be a success without it. Nothing about this design is second rate.
Being careful, it took us nearly four full days to assemble it but it fired right up during testing.
No longer band-limited from 6m to 40m, this antenna changes the game and has become my "one-antenna antenna farm".
++++++++++++++
Update after 2-1/2 years:
I'm still very happy with this antenna and it has performed flawlessly ever since it's been in the air. One thing to be aware of is that these antennas will get out of calibration if you turn off power to the controller for long periods of time. This has led me to jump to the incorrect conclusion that the antenna motors had failed. Recalibration is trivial and is all done from the controller. Keep the controller powered up at all times and you'll be happy. |
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| M0ZMX |
Rating: |
2020-10-12 | |
| Another SteppIR Masterpiece |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have Owned a steppIR since 2012, initially as a 2 element, then upgraded to 3 elements with the 30/40m trombone. Over the 8 years of ownership I have had zero issues. Beyond the 3 element version with trombone, The DB-18E offers 3 folded elements on 30m and 2 folded elements on 40m within virtually the same turning radius. Once on the tower and elevated they appear the same size. The design of the DB-18E is somewhat different to my last SteppIR is as far as ‘saddle clamps’ are employed To hold the EHU’s in place, instead of pre formed and fixed position mounting plates. This method requires careful and accurate assembly. I found the instructions very comprehensive and easy to follow on the whole, but I did find setting the distances along the boom difficult using the supplied instructions method, as the saddle clamps need to be very loose to allow them to be moved easily. this was overcome by a transferring center point measurements to the EHU plates (thus eliminating the need to have the EHU’s in the mix during assembly).
The assembly and installation/wiring to the tower I did on my own. It took me 2 days, making sure that measurements were checked and re checked, fixings were checked and re checked. As every fixing is stainless steel, An anti galling Stick/Crayon is supplied. This slows assembly time considerably, but as I can still remember the issues I’ve had in the past with stainless steel fixings seizing, I made sure that I used it liberally. I am also very pleased to report that there was an abundance of extra fixings supplied, so if you did shear a fixing, there would be spares. Everything is clearly labelled and packed logically into their respective packets. This makes checking and identifying all the parts before you start the assembly process a breeze. If you follow the instructions properly, it all makes sense. The wiring process is straight forward, and again, check, check and check again. It takes a few more minutes to check, but can take considerably longer to get replacement parts if you Damage something . Fortunately my DB-18E was subject to my OCD to detail on assembly, so she passed all initial tests, and has worked flawlessly ever since.
As I’ve already had several years of using a 3 element SteppIR anyway, the 20-6m side of the antennas performance is unchanged from my previous SteppIR . But Oh how things have changed on 30 & 40m... it’s early days with this antenna, but so far the DB-18E has surpassed my cautious expectations.
I purchased mine from Nevada Radio, their after sales support is second to nobody else, so with my experience of SteppIR and Nevada radio, I’m confident that I will enjoy this antenna for many years to come.
I would recommend this antenna without hesitation
Mark (m0zmx)
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| WB5THT |
Rating: |
2020-02-02 | |
| Very pleased with my DB18E |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
This is indeed a complex antenna to assemble and due to the complexity there are more things that can go wrong compared to a yagi or trap beam. I valued the ability to operate the antenna anywhere in the band with a good match and accepted the fact it will need more maintenance. To date it has worked fine but I do expect it will need some maintenance in the future but I'm okay with that. It's the price to pay for performance.
Its performance is indeed quite good, I suspect the DB36 is more directional than my DB18E but again that's fine. On 30 and 40 meters I'm a big gun, on the other bands it's good, quite adequate.
I do hope SteppIR is around for the long haul.
Would I buy it again - yes. |
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| N9NA |
Rating: |
2020-01-27 | |
| Don't waste your money/time. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I've owned and operated the antenna eight (8) long years. I've found it necessary to take it down for repairs at least once every year. Fortunately I have a crank down/tilt over tower and many friends to assist and counsel. The past year I've spent >$2,000 on repair parts and most every year before it is has been at least $500 for repair parts. Technical help from SteppIR changes often and are usually too busy to spend much time on diagnosing problems. Now they seem to be getting weary. The manuals have improved over the years, but still do not cover the breath of the failures. Often the antenna owner is on his own. Most all of my friends do not have SteppIR's - none have the DB18e. Most are amazed at my patience. So if you have patience and a crank down/tilt over tower - go for it. When it works, it seems to be effective. |
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| WX2CX |
Rating: |
2017-01-14 | |
| Great antenna! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Had several SteppIr but this one is just fantastic.
The 2 elements on 40m and 3 on 30m make a huge difference! Always got quick answers from them when called or e-mailed. Ordered and received within a week. |
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| W6RS |
Rating: |
2013-08-17 | |
| A Truly Fine Antenna |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| After having a two element Steppir at my California QTH and getting amazing results I decided that after I retired I would go one magnitude greater. Moving forward to the new retirement QTH North of Seattle and getting settled in it was time to get serious about a tower and antenna. In June of 2013 I put up a DB-18E on a 80 foot tower. The results have been, to say the least, spectacular. In the first 20 days I worked 102 different DXCC entities. I am consistently receiving reports from DX ops asking about my station after telling me I'm the loudest West coast station on the band. Many of the previous reviews have dealt with antenna assembly etc. The only thing I could add is to take your time, be as accurate as possible and triple check all wiring and connections. I would not hesitate to to recommend this antenna to anyone wanting continuous coverage between 6 and 40 meters. |
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| K9EL |
Rating: |
2012-12-09 | |
| Excellent Antenna |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| If you are considering buying a DB18E, but have been hesitant due to the cost, rumors about performance, difficult manuals, etc., I suggest you re-consider. The DB18E manual has been completely re-done very professionally and is now accurate. I was not missing a single piece of hardware. Assembly takes a long time and lots of care and the antenna is not cheap. But the performance is truly amazing. The DB18E replaced 4 separate HF antennas. I now have a cleaner, simpler installation with top performance on all bands. You will not regret owning this antenna. |
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| K9IR |
Rating: |
2012-07-31 | |
| Truly a dream beam |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
While the assembly process can be maddeningly frustrating, the agony is well worth the result--this antenna gets out and has options to increase the fun. I had been searching for several years for a better "compromise" HF yagi to replace my C4-XSL, given limits with my tower capacity and lot size. This antenna enabled me to move from 2 to 3 elements on 20 through 10M, go from a vertical to 3 el on 30M, maintain my 2 elements on 40M and lose only 1 element on 6M, while consolidating to a single feed line. Sweet! I find even with my modest (55') tower not fully cranked up, I can work most stations barefoot--that's performance.
The fun increases when you start to play with the 180 and bidirectional capabilities--talk about limiting rotor wear/tear. You also can modify the default lengths of all the elements for each band to adapt to location quirks--or just mess around. Don't like the results? Set it all back to the defaults.
Here's a list of assembly hints primarily applicable for my vintage DB18E, as SteppIR almost constantly evolves its product line-up with ongoing improvements:
1. Join the reflector! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SteppIR/
2. Start assembly in a space large enough to accommodate the boom and elements. That will save time having to move the assembly later to such a location.
3. Orient the antenna assembly consistent with the way you will hoist the antenna to the tower. This will save having to rotate the rather large assembly as part of the final installation.
4. Have a hammer handy to coax reluctant bolts during boom assembly.
5. Assembly will go more quickly if you have someone to help you align the EHUs on the boom (both the right location on the boom, and level with reference to the mast plate and each other). While one person can "do it all," it will take more time.
6. The Connector Box and boom truss hardware can't live together as described. Reorient the Connector Box 90 degrees on its mounting plate, which will require drilling new holes in the plate. Use washers as standoffs to mount the box from the top two bolts for the boom truss mast; the washers will allow the bottom of the box to clear the bottom boom mast bolts.
7. Take the 6 conductor cable for the two outer EHUs and connect each end to the EHUs. Run the cable to the connector box to verify length needed from each EHU before cutting, as the overall piece of cable SteppIR provides for these EHUs has little to no excess length if you make a mistake.
8. Mark in some fashion the side of the sweeps with the weep holes. I just took the SteppIR warning label to orient the weep holes facing down and reoriented it to indicate the side of the sweep where the weep holes were located.
9. Assemble the sweeps and the fiberglass rods specifically for each half element; don't just assemble all 6 without first thinking about where each one will go. This approach will ensure the weep holes, hose clamps and fiberglass insert rods all are in the right place for each element section.
10. Check to see which element truss assembly you received. If you have the new plastic connectors that attach to the fiberglass poles, you can use the current directions. If not, then you will want to omit in the 2 connector between the poles and the sweeps for each half element the 6th screw in the middle hole closest to the fiberglass spreader. In that hole you will insert the eye-bolts from your truss kit. The instructions for this truss assembly aren't posted on the SteppIR website but are available throught the reflector Files section.
11. If a fiberglass element won't insert smoothly into the EHU, it is OK to sand the element butt end for a better fit.
12. Unless your assembly area is dead level, it will help to have someone help with the element truss assembly to ensure each element half is elevated appropriately relative to its counterpart and all other elements.
13. Use a different type of knot than the half hitches SteppIR indicates to secure the element truss ropes. A friend who "knows knots" used some type of marine knot that was much more secure.
14. Give yourself time to assemble this beast--it involves fiberglass, glues, tapes, aluminum, heat shrink and assorted hardware. Steady consistent progress will get you the right results.
15. Be prepared to read and read and re-read the directions as needed, and perhaps consult a few versions of the manual, to ensure you understand the next assembly step.
16. However, don't be paralyzed--and don't worry whether you immediately understand why a step is the way it is. As long as you are following it properly, all will be revealed unto you in due time as you progress through assembly.
SteppIR support is tremendous. I received timely clarifications and help during assembly.
While only up a short time, I love this antenna. As with any multi-band yagi, it does represent a compromise, but it's by far the best one yet I have found for the bands covered. |
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| NA9Q |
Rating: |
2012-04-14 | |
| Expensive but great performer |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I agonized a long time before finally taking a deep breath and signing the DB18E order form at Dayton 2011. I spent a lot of time in their booth and the crew there was able to set my mind at ease over the several concerns I had about such a complex antenna. It finally arrived in mid-August and it took me about 24 hours spread over about 2 weeks to assemble the unit working very carefully and alone. Here are some observations and suggestions from my experience putting the DB18E together.
1. As soon as you receive your shipment, take a detailed inventory. Nothing is worse than getting into the assembly process and finding something is shorted. I had several small items missing but also 4 of the 12 fiberglass poles were missing! SteppIR was quick to ship the missing items. They do provide everything you need except the tools.
2. SteppIR provides good quality electrical tape to secure the cables to the boom. However, I didn't like not having something with a greater life expectancy in a place where I cannot easily replace it. So before applying the tape I used stainless a steel cable clamp at each place where taping is required. Menards has these SS locking tywraps and although about a dollar each in small quanities, they gave me a much better feeling about the control and coax cables remaining clamped to the boom over a long period in the weather. Once the SS tywrap was in place then I applied the black electrical tape over them.
3. One single length of control cable is supplied to connect to the director and reflector motors. There is very little extra in that length. Layout the contol cable going to the director and reflector motor housings on the boom before cutting it. There is little extra supplied and if you just estimate where to cut it you might end up with one piece that is too short.
4. BEFORE you put anything together, read the assembly manual front to back thoroughly as well as the options instructions and the addendum manual. All have relavence to the DB-18E assembly process. I had many questions and found several errors in the instructions. A phone call always got me the help I needed, but don't proceed in an assembly step if you are not sure how something is to be done.
5. Don't try to use a hair dryer to shrink the tubing on the poles. You won't get the adhesive warm enough to seal. It takes a good high temp heat gun.
6. Take your time in every step and don't forget to use the anti-seize on every SS screw and bolt. The first time I missed using it, sure enouge the nut seized on the bolt and I had to carefully hacksaw it off.
7. Purchase the junction box option! It is expensive but it makes the final wiring steps so much easier. And if a wiring error is found, so much easier to correct. I would also expect future on-tower maintenance will be easier as well although I have not had to experience this need.
8. Make sure to perform all the electrical checks and tests prior to installation. Check everything twice and then check it again. It is much easier to make corrections on the ground.
9. Don't try to get by with a Ham-M or Ham-III style rotor with this antenna. It won't handle this beam in the winds. You need a TailTwister or heavier unit. Some even claim the TailTwister is too light duty but so far mine is holding up to the stress and torque. Time will tell.
10. This is a well built, heavy duty antenna. All harware and mechanical parts except one are stainless or aluminum. And that one part is galvanized. It is heavy at 110 lbs but will stay together in the air for years. No rusting bolts or hose clamps to melt away in a few years.
This beam replaced my TH3MK3 which I have been using for the last 35 years. I can only say what an antenna! Why did I wait so long? 30 meters and 40 meters are lots more fun, in fact a blast, when you have a little gain and good directivity. One of my first QSO's on 40 with it was with JT5DX using just 100W on SSB. 17 meters has become a favorite band with this antenna. Anything I can hear I can work, usually with just 100W. With the SteppIR controller connected to the logging computer and the TS940S, it follows frequency and band changes smoothly and quickly. It really makes operating a pleasure. And since the VSWR is always low, never a need to retune anything.
Yes, it is expensive but I believe worth every cent I spent. Longevity is the unknown at this time. Only time will tell.
Mike NA9Q |
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| ZS1DDK |
Rating: |
2011-04-08 | |
| SteppIRIFFIC |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
My "from David, to David," has arrived in South Africa!
I am singularly and collectively completely impressed !!!!
This antenna is superbly and logically packaged. Every part bears witness to the highest quality whether machined,moulded,cast,cut,coated -detailed workmanship offering a rugged product!!!!
The instructions are comprehensive and logically offered, making construction an absolute pleasure. Special care must be excersized when wiring the drives and switching relays.
Tower time:
Undertake the prescribed electronic checks.
Trust me on this one!
Now the DB 18 gets mounted and she is off to her permanent elevation at 12m above terrafirma.
An awfully splendid site! (Youtube, search ZS1DDK)
Power-up. The programming that went into the contoller is detailed in every way; absolutely no parameter was missed. Every dimension can be altered, electrical properties can be manipulated................
The performance is superb offering excellent gain and front to back ratio !
This, in my humble opinion, must be the most outstanding antenna ever offered for a more limited size lot, for access to anything from 40m's up.
Anything better must still be invented ! |
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