[EIDXA] SteppIR Vertical

[Rod Blocksome]

Hi Tom,

I have had one (without the 80 m coil) for the last 5 years or so.  I use it 
with elevated radials.  Also used it on shipboard for two months.  Verticals 
over salt water work quite well.  We actually had two for the ship.  One was 
brand new out of the box and would not function.  We returned it to SteppIR 
for a refund.

I have had two failures on my antenna in this time.  The first was when I 
air shipped the antenna home from Honolulu, it was apparently dropped when 
it was very cold.  It arrived with the plastic spool for the element tape 
shattered (no damage to the box or anything else).  SteppIR wouldn't sell me 
just the parts - claiming their customers can't fix it and stated I would 
need to buy a whole bottom assembly.  I protested but they stood firm and 
then said if I sent the broken one, in they would send me a new one free (my 
warranty had long since elapsed).  So that was nice and I thanked them.

The second failure occurred when I left the control line disconnected from 
the antenna (just dangling in the wind) for several months.  Hooked it up 
and the controller wouldn't work.  The manual cautions against powering the 
controller when it's not connected to the antenna.  Sure enough the motor 
control/drive chips were bad - likely damaged from static electricity.

I paid for this one (think around $65 to repair) but it's the result of poor 
design on their part.

So in summary:
Quality control needs improved
Design Engineer needs to protect devices connected to things out in the 
elements
Customer service and willingness to do the right thing - Satisfactory to 
very good

73's, Rod, K0DAS


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Hise" <tlhise at fmtcs.com>
To: <EIDXA at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 8:37 AM
Subject: [EIDXA] SteppIR Vertical


> Does anyone in the club have a SteppIR vertical?  I'm thinking of getting
> the BigIR III with the 80m coil and would appreciate any comments from
> those who have one.
>
> I understand there is quite a lead time between ordering the antenna and
> having it ship.  I'm hoping I can place an order soon so I might be able 
> to
> get it up before next winter.
>
>
> 73,
>
> Tom - NC0O
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> EIDXA mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/eidxa
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:EIDXA at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>