SteppIR UrbanBeam and SDA 2000 full review (HF antenna)

This is a full review of the SteppIR UrbanBeam (multiband HF antenna) with the SDA 2000 controller (OptimizIR). It’s part 3 of a video series. See part 1 for the unboxing and part checklists and part 2 for the full assembly.

Hope you enjoy. 73 Pascal VA2PV

 

First class videos, Pascal!

Eric
K2CB

 

Thank you Eric, 73 Pascal VA2PV.

 

Excellent video series, Pascal. I'm readying a rooftop install, and had settled on the Tennadyne T6 LPDA for my first directional antenna. Then, I stumbled across the UrbanBeam, and began to give it some serious consideration. Finding your videos, coupled with a conversation with another ham from my club who has a SteppIR DB-18, made up my mind: there will be an UrbanBeam on my roof in the near future!

Thanks again for posting this informative series, and for sharing your experiences with the rest of us.

de Tony W3FLH
73

 

Nice video Pascal,

Max
VE3TMT

 

Thought provoking...nice work

 

Hi Tony,

Thanks for watching and for your good comments. This antenna is very impressive and I really like it. 73 Pascal VA2PV

 

Fantastic review!

73,

Jim N3AWS

 

I have the T-11 you would have loved the T-6 trust me/ my friend runs the t-6 he loves it. moving parts wires motors fiberglass and what not in the north = maintance good luck

 

Finally somebody did a review !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pascal thanks was waiting for this for the past year.
Especially the new controller!

Ian

 

a great antenna but... they do break eventually..
had mine up 10 years then broke.. parts were to expensive to replace..
i now have a 10 element log periodic which was half the price as the steppir
and no motors... yipeee

 

THUMBS UP ON YOUR 10 element I have the T-11 Tennadyne, THEY CAN KEEP THEM GROSLY OVERPRICED fiberglass antennas. my 960.00 vs there 3000.00 and for what? so they have great swr? our logs already have great swr's with no parts to break or wear out.

 

to right mate...
and no parts available here in the uk...
i phoned the supposed dealer here and they were not interested anymore... shame on you steppir...

 

wayne they can keep them measuring tape fiberglass antennas. our antennas are great swr's. so they have 1 2 db more is it that much of a difference? my tennadyne was 960.00 compared to 3000.00 u.s.d. and for what? I achieved the same thing they did and you as well wayne. if I had to do it over again? ide do it no different GREAT CHOICE AND MOVE WAYNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eddie Barra AE2B

 

I have been using two Tennadyne T8 6 el logs which withstood Hong Kong Typhoon No 12 with minor damage even being thrown from mast...Needed just a few tubing to be replaced .
Sophisticated designs with electronics , motors and CPU would be evaporated by direct lightning bolt when my aluminum T6 just had deep welding marks.... And the price for them is beyond the limit.... See you in Contests< Oms... 73 Mr. Igor VR2ZQZ / VR2EH