Mounted on bench |
So lets look at the nitty gritty of the antenna first off it's made by SteppIR who has a GREAT reputation and has been the choice of many DXpeditions. The 20m version extends to 9 feet and when folded up is only 26 inches. The 40m version is 18 feet and reduces to 30 inches. As far as I am concerned both sizes are very manageable for transporting. I am not gong to high light evey detail as there is a link on this post to the SteppIR CrankIR page with limited info but more to come!! This antenna is due to make its purchase date in the spring of this year. I did send an email to SteppIR with some questions about the antenna and Bart was very prompt to get back to me.
My Questions were........
1. I did not notice any radials are there any? (I asked this because for portable ops sometime radials can become a pain especially if you are in a park where the public is.)
Bart's answer was.....
The antenna will be designed to work with a single, elevated, tuned radial (included)
Now what I get from this answer is the
radial is the crank up wire that is surrounding the antenna I had
thought this was for the cranking of the antenna up and down.
Note...see green section below for correct after the fact info.....
My next question was....
2. Was the cable and crank up device
part of the antenna or a separate piece?
Bart's answer was......
The crank is for extending or retracting the element around the frame of
the antenna. It does not raise/lower the antenna or support tube.
The 40 to 2m retracted |
This is were I got the impression the
cable was not to raise and lower the antenna element and was the
elevated tuning radial he spoke of. As for the whether or not it was
attached to the antenna was not sure what his answer was...BUT
the picture to the left seems to look like it is attached to the base
of the antenna. There looks to be a bolt just below Mike's hand.
Bart's answer was........
Prices have not been set, but we do expect them to start at about $250.
So there yo go just some tidbits of
info about what seems to be a very nice antenna from a very reputable
company!!
8 comments:
Hi Mike, I like new antenna designs. So I keep an eye on this particular antenna for the near future.
Have a nice weekend, 73 Paul
Hello Mike, I knew about this antenna already for a couple of weeks. it looks interesting, but as always I think steppIR is way overprized :-( I think I'll stick at homemade antennas. 73, Bas
Hi Mike, I will be looking for a new antenna to stick out the window of my USA apartment this Spring. I will give this one a look-over.
73 Dick
Hello Mike,
I'll be watching for this and looking forward to performance results from customers. Thanks for posting.
Good afternoon Paul, yes this antenna caught my eye and seemed like it could really work for lots of folks who have small lots and or those who do portable ops.
Mike
73
Hello Bas, there for sure is nothing at all wrong with the home brewed antennas for sure.
Mike
Hi Dick, this is a nice antenna in that it can become different sizes for each band you want to work on. It also can go up and come down in a snap as well. As more info comes out on this antenna you will be able to make a more informed decision about it.
John good to hear from you and yes that will be the true test once the hams get their hands on it and start to use it.
Mike
Have a nice weekend.
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