[Elecraft] OT - K3 SteppIR Vertical and Elecraft Products

[WILLIS COOKE]

The motor unit has a stepper motor and a roll of beryllium-copper tape with evenly spaced holes (about 0.75 in apart).  A sprocket runs the tape in and out in response to pulses from a computer in the shack.  The computer keeps track of the tape position and the tape runs up a fiber-glass tube to 1/4 wave length long.  You can step it up or down one unit at a time to get the best match with a couple of buttons or push a band button to run to the set position for that band.  I don't have a SteppIR vertical, but I do have a 3-element SteppIR beam.  The beam has two tapes to make a dipole.  The beam has a balun but I would not think you would need a balun for a vertical.  There might be some kind of matching, but I can't remember as I have not seen inside a vertical since last field day.  The SteppIR products work great, but maybe require a bit more maintenance than an aluminum antenna.

Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ


--- On Sat, 5/16/09, David Wilburn <dave.wilburn at verizon.net> wrote:

> From: David Wilburn <dave.wilburn at verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT - K3 SteppIR Vertical and Elecraft Products
> To: "Elecraft Discussion List" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009, 12:39 PM
> How does the antenna interface to the rig(s)?  I have not
> looked at 
> what is going on with the control box, need to understand
> that better. 
>   If it connects to the rig via the serial port, not sure
> how the rig 
> would then be used by control program or for contesting.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Dave Wilburn
> NM4M
> 
> K2MK wrote:
> > "I am also curious of the experience of the group
> with the SteppIR
> > verticals.  There is similar up front cost as the
> vertical / remote
> > tuner solution (assuming a new weather proof
> tuner)."
> > 
> > 
> > Hi Dave:
> > 
> > Sometimes it's hard to tell this Yahoo Group from
> the SteppIR Yahoo 
> > Group. There are so many of the same call signs
> posting messages.
> > 
> > I've had my BigIR with 80 meter coil for almost 2
> years and I am 
> > extremely pleased with it. No internal tuner, no
> external tuner, no 
> > tuner period. Just excellent SWR everywhere on 80
> through 6 meters. And 
> > not just part of each band, the entire band.
> Performance is probably the 
> > same as any similar sized vertical. You get out what
> you put in. Lay 
> > down a lot of copper and you'll be rewarded with
> excellent performance.
> > 
> > The transceiver tracking feature works perfectly with
> the K3. I know it 
> > works perfectly with the K2 as well. The antenna
> length automatically 
> > changes as you QSY.
> > 
> > 73,
> > Mike K2MK
> > 
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