[Elecraft] dBd vs dBi

[Lyle Johnson]

IMHO, gain is NOT the issue with a directional antenna.  Front/Back (or
Front/Rear, or whatever the mfr prefers to call it) IS the issue.

A 2 or 3 dB difference in your signal in the favored direction means little
on HF, with QSB, QRN, QRM, etc. It matters on line-of-sight microwave paths
where such variables are usually under better control.

But, the ability to turn the beam several degrees and drop the strength of
an interfering station or noise source by 20 to 30 dB is a HUGE advantage.

The SteppIR is an interesting antenna by a couple guys here in Washington.
They have had their test unit cycling over and over for many months (maybe a
couple years, not more, as I recall from talking with them, YMMV).

Will it be reliable for 10 years or 20?  Who knows?

My old TH6DXX which I purchased in 1978 is still working well (no moving
parts, had to replace the UV destroyed plastic bits after 22 years of
Arizona sun when I re-installed it a few months ago here in Washington)...

And the mechanical HAM III rotator underneath it is also working just fine,
after just as many years :-)

72/73,

Lyle KK7P