The New SteppIR Is Up - Saturday,  October 1, 2005

       Fluidmotion's, of Issaquah, WA., SteppIR 4 Element Yagi Antenna has continuously adjustable elements, is driven by a controller that can derive frequency from your transceiver, and automatically tune the antenna to provide near 1:1 SWR at any given frequency from 20 - 6 meters. It features a 180 degree reverse operation with the push of a button, as well as, reduced gain in two directions at once. Elements are contained in fiberglass tubes. Two additional passive elements for 6 meters provide a 6 element yagi at extra cost. For long control cable runs (over 200 feet) an optional 33 VDC power supply provides the extra punch needed to ensure correct operation. SteppIR antennas are "modular", meaning they can be expanded by purchasing a kit to add new elements when the company develops them.

SteppIR Antenna Controller

       I first learned about this project while on the way with John Unger - W4AU and Gary to Dayton Hamvension in May 2005. Gary informed us that he had placed an order for a big one and it would be delivered within 90-days. So, we all started paying attention.

       The first chores were to clear the 60-foot Rohn 25 Tower of existing antennas, fine a new home for the Hi-gain TH-6DXX and rehab and reinstall Gary's VHF and UHF antenna before the SteppIR antenna arrived. In June the TH-6DXX was removed and reinstalled on NA4MA - Tom Garasic's tower on Bull Run Mountain at Haymarket, VA. Gary spent most of July and August working part time on cabling, assembling and testing the new antenna. By late September, Gary announced that he was ready for some help. 

       The photographs below pretty well tell the story. We await a report from Gary on how it plays. We suspect that this baby will get him into and out of pileups very quickly. Look out Virginia QSO Party Records.  

       Gary, How's DX?      Best Regards, Norm Styer - AI2C.

TOWER PREP   Removing the Hy-gain TH6-DXX Antenna - Saturday, June 12, 2005

          Hi Gang,  If you missed it before here is your chance to get in on another Antenna Party.

          We plan on taking down the non-working triband beam from my tower and install my new/used Hy-gain TH6-DXX Thunderbird Beam. This is the antenna Gary - NC4S has been using but now it is mine. We KNOW this one works good!

          We plan on Sunday June 19. Gary and I will be doing all the climbing. All we need is two or three support ground crew. Please call me and let me know if you will be available. I would hate to waste the good weather this weekend. Who knows when we will be having favorable weather again. Again it is this Sunday.

          That is right, Fathers day! If things go well we could have the new antenna up by 12:00 or 1:00. Lunch will be provided for all workers. You can still go to your Father's Day Dinner.

          Thank You,  Tom - NA4MA

          I want to say a big thank you to the crew that helped me put up my new SteppIR antenna on Saturday.

          Thanks to: Dave Mullins - K4ARP of Aldie, Dennis Boehler - KF4TJI of Leesburg, Buddy Brewer - K4CJB of Round Hill, Jack Hammett - K4VV of Paeonian Springs, Tom Garasic - NA4MA of Haymarket, , Tom  Carney - WB9RXJ of Stumptown, Kurt Reber - KI4FWB of Lovettsville, Paul Dluehosh - N4PD of Leesburg), and Iain McFadyen - KI4HLV of McLean.

          We had a great crew with a good get it done attitude and we had fun doing it. I can't thank the crew enough for their help. I still do not have coax connected to the antenna yet. I was up the tower about 30 feet when something buzzed past my ear. I looked up the tower and there were 20 to 30 wasps like critters swarming around the rotor and antenna. I decided not to test if they were friendly or not. They did disappear around 6 PM so I will try again tonight to hook up my coax.

          73 to a great crew and LARG members. Gary, NC4S

NNNN