STEPPIR ANTENNA

[KA7RRA]

I just bought me the 3 element Stepper . I was going to put it up on a roof mount tower but now Iam thinking it would be better on a 50 foot tower.
Iam looking at US-Towers and they have a tubular and the crank up tower square tower what would be better? the tubular or the regular crank up square type tower I can't go over 50 ft
Dave
KA7RRA

[KC0W]

I believe the US Tower tubular models must be secured against the eves of your house for proper installation. Years ago I was looking at them & because of this I did not purchase one. I have heard of people who brace the tower against their home complain of vibration noise heard throughout the entire home from the tower.

But then again, there is an amateur a few miles away from me with a freestanding tubular tower.......I don't understand.

Another interesting benefit of a tubular tower is that the rotor is mounted at ground level on some models.

All in all though, I would go with a "square" styled tower. I believe the square ones are a little sturdier than the tubular models. The tubular models seem to sway in the wind, from what I have seen.



Tom kcØw

[k7mh]

I have the 40 ft. self-supporting tubular crankup and tiltover with a 2 element quad and rotor at the bottom turning the whole tower....YEAH BABY! No gin poles, no climbing belts, no climbing! Work on everything myself on the ground if needed. No additional help needed. Binding on crank down? A length of ski rope or similar attached to the top that reaches the ground when cranked up to tug on once in a while takes care of that. Swaying in the wind? Not that much unless cranked ALL the way up in bigger winds. Perhaps more visually disturbing than mechanically disturbing from what I see of it. There are pros and cons to each type of tower arrangement. I would give it a lot of thought and consider carefully the various pros and cons that may show up here. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[K7FE]

Quote[/b] (KA7RRA @ Dec. 16 2005,20:11)] I can't go over 50 ft
Dave
KA7RRA
Dave,
Why can't you go over 50 feet? If it is a zoning requirement, consider a 70 foot crank up and park it at 50 feet (except nights during a contest). Your antenna will like 70 feet on 20 meters and provide you with a lower angle of radiation which will be better for DX. Used 70 ft and used 50 ft tower cost about the same, both are about 22 feet long when all the way down, most cities only regulate the "safety" issue and thus will inspect the hole, rebar & bolts and cement footing to see if it meets the tower mfr's PE specifications and not look at the tower itself. A 72 foot tower at 50 feet will be "stronger" than a 54 foot tower at 50 feet. Find a ham near you who has a tower and perhaps he/she can provide some insight to local rules.

Tubular or triangle? Both have their advantages. If you want to hang inverted V's for 40 or 80 meters from the tower, then the triangle type is better because the tower does not rotate and you can climb it easily if needed. Fixed direction (TV, satellite, or UHF & VHF) Yagi antennas may be easily mounted on a triangle tower if desired ..........I do think that there is a bearing that may be mounted on a tubular that does allow you to hang wire antennas like V's and dipoles from it. So perhaps there is not a big difference. Tubulars have a slimmer profile. So I guess it is your call.

73,
Terry, K7FE

[KA7RRA]

Quote[/b] (K7FE @ Dec. 17 2005,00:12)]Quote[/b] (KA7RRA @ Dec. 16 2005,20:11)] #I can't go over 50 ft
Dave
KA7RRA
Dave,
Why can't you go over 50 feet? #If it is a zoning requirement,
Yep it is the city of Lake Stevens says I can only go 50ft .. City of Everett well let you go up 100ft.

The city of Lake Stevens also wants 350.00 for a zoning permint plus 250.00 for a constuction permint and a deposite..

I can put up a roof-top tower for 250.00 but then I can only go 22 feet

[WB2WIK]

I would absolutely go with the webbed construction sectional tower in lieu of the "tubular" variety, only because the webbed towers are far stronger and will support more stuff. The SteppIR is just the beginning, you don't know what else you might want to add later.

A webbed tower also creates less wind loading of its own, since the wind can blow right through it; a tubular tower, even smaller in circumference, is actually a larger wind load.

Further, with the tubular tower you have two choices with regard to rotator mounting: At the top, above the tower, which places a lot of strain on the rotator; or, at the bottom, which requires an option from U.S. Towers ($$). With a webbed tower, you install the rotator inside the tower with a thrust bearing above it, so the rotator has very little stress on it and it's still very easy to service if required, because you can just loosen it up and slide it out sideways.

Two good towers that come to mind are the Tri-Ex/Tashjian WT-51 (3-section 51' medium duty) and the U.S. Tower TX-455 (3-section 55' heavy duty). They are both absolutely excellent, strong, long-lasting, easy to install and easy to maintain. The TX-455 is heavier and will hold more stuff, but the WT-51 is strong enough for a 3-L SteppIR, or even a 4-L SteppIR if you decide to upgrade later, as well as a couple VHF beams on the same mast -- easily.

Great thing about extendable towers is they can be lowered in minutes for maintenance or in case of strong winds, and then raised as you wish in just another couple minutes. And they are entirely self-supporting, requiring no house brackets or guys.

You can't go wrong with either of these models, but if you have the budget for it, I'd pick the TX-455.

WB2WIK/6