[R-390] High end antenna systems

[Robert Nickels]

Cecil Acuff wrote:
> While the stepIR is a decent antenna..it's weak spot is that its element 
> spacing is only optimum at one frequency in its range.  Its performance 
> could be enhanced if it's element spacing were adjustable in a similar way 
> as its dipole lengths.
That bugged me a bit before I bought mine, but the performance has been 
so fantastic I've never been given reason to ponder what might have been 
improved.   My buddy in Hawaii says that only the large stacked arrays 
produce a more consistent signal from the mainland, 3 and 4 element 
SteppIRs are among the first signals heard as the band opens and last 
ones as it closes.

The newest "high end" alternative - the MacTenna "Simple Beam" - is 
promoted as a " wide spaced 50 Ohm design":

http://www.mactenna.net/simpleBeam.htm

The manufacturer provides a direct link to their patent and a QST 
article from last year that explains the theory of operation in 
sufficient detail and schematics are available in the online manuals.   
At $1100 (including controller) this antenna is going to get some 
attention, and it will be interesting to see how it performs in actual 
operation.

73, Bob W9RAN