[Elecraft] CrankIR?

[Peter Pauly]

I have the AlexLoop and just ordered the CrankIR. The AlexLoop can only do
20 watts because of the small variable capacitor. The CrankIR does 1KW and
has a much wider bandwidth after tuning. You shouldn't need to fiddle with
it after you change bands like you would with the AlexLoop for small QSY's.


On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 5:58 PM, Don Butler <n5lz at comcast.net> wrote:

> I’ve never owned a Buddipole, but bought one of the first CrankIRs almost
> 2 ½ years …. And I love it.   I have no doubt that both antennas (Buddipole
> and CrankIR) work equally well, but a significant plus that comes with the
> CrankIR is the ease and simplicity of changing bands ...... it will
> typically take me less than a minute to retune the CrankIR to another band
> and get back on the air ….. compare that to the Buddipole where you pretty
> much have to take it down, rebuild the elements, and put it back up again
> virtually EVERY time you change bands.
>
> I made this video soon after buying my CrankIR ….. and the SteppIR folks
> still have the link on their website.   Realistically it will take about 20
> minutes from start to finish to get the CrankIR up and on the air ….
>
> https://vimeo.com/album/2915832/video/87038860
>
> Don, N5LZ
>
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> From: David McAnally
> Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2016 3:30 PM
> To: Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
> Cc: <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CrankIR?
>
> On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 12:44 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <
> KX3 at coldrockshotbrooms.com> wrote:
>
> > Hopefully quick question:
> >
> > We see a lot of praise for the BuddiPole (and the AlexLoop), but don't
> > think I've ever seen mention of the CrankIR for portable use.
> >
> > Anybody try one?  What's the deal??
> >
> > 73 -- Lynn
> >
> >
> ​Lynn,​
>
> ​I have owned a CrankIR for almost two years.  When I go traveling by auto
> for more than a couple of days, it goes with me along with my K3, plus
> KPA500 and whatever else I decide to pack. I previously took a dipole, with
> fiberglass poles, since I didn't always ​have access to wire supports.  The
> CrankIR is a nice compromise. It packs down to a small bag plus the
> optional fiberglass extension for 80M. I now pack it in a small rifle case.
>
> Operationally, it seems to perform well.  I had QSO's with New Zealand a
> few weeks back while I was in Arizona. I've checked into the Elecraft SSB
> net from time to time.  As Dave C. mentions, the dipole is more
> lightweight, rugged and may perform better. I can't compare to the Alex
> loop as I've never used one. The CrankIR tunes 10M through 80M, but that is
> a manual process. There are markers on the wire and I've gotten pretty good
> at tuning it, using my Rig Expert antenna analyzer.  There are trade offs
> in whatever you choose though.  I doubt I'll ever go hiking or backpacking
> with the CrankIR and K3.  But they travel well in my Avalanche. I'm trying
> to find a way to justify the KX3, or now KX2 as my portable secondary
> radio.
>
> David M.
> WD5M
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