[Elecraft] OT - K3 SteppIR Vertical and Elecraft Products

[David Wilburn]

Thanks.  I get that.  How does it interface to the K3?  How does it 
know it should change bands when you change the rig?  I'm thinking 
back now, and recall some posts about a splitter cable.  I'll hit nabble.

Thanks

Dave Wilburn
NM4M

WILLIS COOKE wrote:
> 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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