You won't be sorry unless you're coming to it from stacked monobanders <G>.

Well built if you follow the directions ... one of them just went through hurricane Charley with 110+ MPH winds and only lost one fiberglass element ($30 to replace).

The boom is a bit LONG for a three element 10 meter antenna so the F/R is a bit weak on 10/12. However, the added boom length provides slightly more gain on 12/17 and room for a fixed length 6 meter first director. I'll be adding the six meter element to mine before I put it up (I was in the
process of assembling it when Charley came a calling) since I have a FTV-1000 on its way.

I already like the 3 element SteppIR so much that I'm planning a 90' crank up with a stacked pair of the four element yagis.

Modeling of the three element yagi puts it in the C31XR class (SteppIR three element has better gain and F/R than the C31XR AVERAGE numbers on each band) and far ahead of any other
tribander (compare the SteppIR range tests with the N0AX/K7LXC "Tribander Report"). The four element antenna adds another 1.5 - 2 dB gain on each band.

Bob, K8IA....

I've had my 3 el SteppIR up since March 2003 and its the smallest (boomlength-wise) "triband" antenna I've ever had. Performance-wise, it performs way better than one would think. Contesting (normally low power 100w class) is my general ham radio interest and its flexibility (180 degree function for example) is a wonderful feature, used frequently here. Mine is up 78'.

Its published F/B figures are very close to what I get here, except for 15m where I know I have some interaction with the 3 el 40m yagi mounted 8' below the SteppIR. Even then, the F/B (15-18db) is quite acceptable, just not then huge F/B I get on 20m (on the order of 35db+).

Structurally, it has not been taxed yet, although we get no ice here in the Phoenix area, but it has survived a 71 mph monsoon wind last summer and several this summer in the 60mph range. Its yet to be taxed by one of our "microbursts" though, 100mph+ stuff, but very localized. Its doubtful it would like a real Kansas tornado either. ;-) (My xyl is from OK so I know all about KS/OK tornadoes!)

Back to performance. 20m seems "smallish" not 10m, considering the 16' boomlength, but I have had very good contest luck with it on 20m. In 2003 I was 2nd in USA in Single Op, Low Power 20M class of CQ WPX CW Contest. This yr I am 2nd high claimed in the same contest.

On 15M, in 2003 I won USA in Single Op, Low Power 15M class of CQ WPX SSB Contest and high claimed USA again this yr.

On 10M I was high USA score in ARRL 10M Contest, Single Op, Low Power, Mixed Mode.

Certainly performance, well above what one would expect from a simple antenna setup like mine! That SteppIR really works!

See my website (go to it, as shown in my address box below and then click on "Competitions") for more on what I have been able to do with this antenna. I am very impressed with it!

Let me know if there are any more questions I can answer. GL!!

Jerry, K3BZ

Lee....The SteppIR 3L is without reservation best antenna I've ever used in over 40 years of hamming. It is easy to assemble, excellent manual, weighs only 50 lbs, easy set-up, and flawless operation here in eastern PA at 40 feet in a clearing surrounded by trees taller than the SteppIR.

Worth every penny, I cannot say enough good about the product or the folks at the manufacturer, Fluidmotion.

A few weeks of monitoring the SteppIR YahooGroup reflector will show you the kind of usergroup support there is... over 500 members... and virtually all of them would, I think, echo my comments here. In over two years, I have not seen any serious negative comments...(amazing for hams, a group not known for being "followers")... and only a very few problems, all solved as far as I know, and most end up related to something other than the SteppIR itself.

If you can spend $1000+ on an yagi antenna, IMHO the very best place to put it is in a SteppIR. And by the way, I have no connection at all with the Fluidmotion Company, I'm just a very, very happyowner.

Floyd, K8AC

I have a new 3 element model awaiting erection of my tower. Can't give you any experiences with it of course, but can give you some impressions based on many years of building my own beams and using others.

I judge quality control to be "spotty". Haven't heard this comment from others, so maybe my situation is unique. Two of the 6 fiberglass elements had damage when received. This was clearly NOT shipping damage - something had been dropped on the elements at the factory, damaging the green coating on the elements. To Fluidmotion's credit, they quickly shipped me out two new elements and said they were investigating how it might have occurred.

Second, I bought the "Boomslider" accessory, which allows you to assemble the antenna at the top of the tower by sliding the boom back and forth as the elements are installed. For some reason, the factory decided to change the drilling for the bolts that hold the boom sections together to a
vertical pattern, which meant that the Boomslider could no longer be used.

I then found that this problem had been discovered and the fix was that they had shipped an instruction page and a drill bit and three new bolts so that the user could redrill the boom securing holes in a horizontalconfiguration. While this may seem like a simple solution, it isn't easy to drill precise holes in a round boom in the back yard.

The three center element housings bolt onto the brackets which are already bolted in place on the boom sections. This requires 8 bolts on each housing. The mating holes in the aluminum bracket were obviously drilled prior to bolting the brackets to the boom because compression of the bracket resulted in the holes no longer lining up. The solution was to loosen the two bolts holding each bracket to the boom until all 8 bolts are installed, then tightening them up again. Another small item perhaps, but if you plan on assembling it on top of the tower as I was, it's 6 more bolts to screw around with.

The coax connector on the driven element housing is in an odd position, on the side of the housing and just below the grommet where the control cable exits the housing. That makes it rather awkward to weatherproof the connector.

On one of the stepper motor housings, the bottom plate gasket was improperly installed. Had I not detected this, I'm sure the housing would have been cracked when I tightened a couple of the bolts that hold the housing to the boom bracket. This was easily fixed by removing the 4 screws that hold
the bottom on the housing and repositioning the gasket. This gasket arrangement is very similar to a valve cover gasket on an automobile engine.

The 16 foot boom is 1 3/4" OD and appears to be 1/8" wall. Probably heavy enough, but it comes in 4 sections! Undoubtedly to meet UPS shippingrequirements. I would have preferred to pay extra on the shipping to have a larger diameter boom of fewer sections.

Preliminary testing of the antenna on the ground (never hooked up a coax) indicates the elements and controller all to be working perfectly.

Compared to other commercial yagis I've used, this one so far has fewer problems associated with design and assembly. I think the longevity of the stepper motors should be better than that of the typical antenna trap, and the fact that all the provided hardware is stainless steel is a big
plus.

Odd, however, that Fluidmotion makes no mention of using anti-seize compound on the stainless bolts and nuts.

Hope you find this info of some use.

Bob, W5LT

I can give a testimonial FOR the SteppIR. I bought mine at Dayton 2002, received it in August, put it up in Sept '02. It has been up since. I have it mounted at 78 ft on a Heights Fold-Over aluminum tower in the DFW area.

It has worked great , with a few minor exceptions, since. I previously had a HYGain 203BA which worked very well, but was only 20m. I was essentially limited to 20m for any gain antennas for 25+ years until the SteppIR came along. I live on a small city lot, thus needed an antenna with a footprint similar to the 203BA. The SteppIR works extremely well for me, the outstanding features are the quick 180 switching, the excellent patterns (more later), and the all-band coverage. I plan to get the small footprint 40m version when it comes out early next year. I helped out in the StppIR booth at Dayton 04, as did several avid users, and it was fun to see all the excitement from the inside as well as from the crowd. I helped sell (4) of the MonstIR 40m units.

The gang at SteppIR are first class citizens and really want the customer to be satisfied. There is no end to what they will do to ensure you are happy. The product is made of top notch materials, and FM has gone to great lengths to create an excellent design and make it well. I do not think any ham
antenna company existing today can say the same.

The only problem I had was with the boom to mast bracket: the early versions were 3/16" thick, and just could not grip the boom & mast tightly enough to prevent rotation in very strong winds like we have in Texas. I found mine acting like a nice vertically polarized CB antenna one day!. The issue
was promptly resolved when FM sent me a replacement 1/4" thick plate. There have been a number of upgrades since it first came out, which is normal for any new design. You will get the latest and greatest now. If you have not signed up, you might visit the user group at SteppIR@yahoogroups.com.

I made some real life, relatively accurate pattern measurements of the 3 Element last year on 20, 15 & 10m, and found them to be very well behaved & looking like they came from a text book. I will send you the plots if you want, I did a presentation for the local ham clubs. I do not think you can go wrong buying a SteppIR, you will get a great antenna, made and supported by a great company.

Chuck, N7BV - Ex: 6W8FP 9L1CA CN8ES

I have had a 3el SteppIR beam since FD 2001, where it was put up and taken down and moved to N7WA QTH for use, then dismantled again and moved to my present QTH in December 2002.

Like others, each time there has appeared to be a problem, whether it was assembly at FD 2001 or most recently an intermittent coax problem, the SteppIR guys have been just tremendous about supporting their product. Even delivering a fiberglass pole on the off chance that one was messed up - turned out someone didn't understand how collapsible fiberglass poles worked at that first FD.

In each case (three) there has been absolutely nothing wrong with the SteppIR antenna.

If for no other reason than SteppIR/Fluidmotion sees customer support as paramount, I would recommend their antennas; forget about the Bi-directional and Reverse modes, the fact their antennas operate as a mono-bander on each band and the SWR/Gain/FB are set for whatever the frequency is, among other pluses.

On the negative side they are a bit expensive, however as soon as I save up the pennies to buy another SteppIR, I will buy one to put on tower Nr. 2 of my mini contest station.

Bob - W3YY

I've had the 4-El version up for about a year and am VERY pleased with theantenna. I would assume the 3-El is equally pleasing. 3B9FR has a 3-El SteppIR and said "It has changed my radio life!".

Larry, K7SV

I'm just kind of winding down after helping my good friend Mike put his second 4 el StppIR on his tower. I helped with the first one as well, so lots of experience in working with them. The top one is at roughly 130 feet and the bottom one at 100 feet.

I've been using A KLM KT34XA (M2 KT36XA upgraded now) for the past 12 years or so. I love the antenna when it's working right (well, love 20 and 10 - 15 has always seemed to lack a bit). Anyway, I have said for the past year that if I were to replace it, it would be with a trapless design.

Based on the experience I've had helping Mike get his up, the reports he's giving me on it, the reports I've seen from others on performance and the reports I've seen on support, I have since rethought things. I think I'd go with the 3 el SteppIR.

I think the construction if first class. I was impressed that both worked as they should first time they were energized. For my purposes the idea ofalmost instantaneously reversing the direction or going bidirectional is a very positive thing.

It's going to be interesting to see how Mike's hold up under full power SO2R RTTY contesting. SteppIR has told him it's going to server him well andbased on what I've seem, I don't doubt it.

I haven't had any operational experience with them yet, but again based on the knowledge I have gained from various sources in addition to personal experince in getting two up in the air, I'd have no qualms in recommending the antenna.

By the way Lee thanks for the mult in many contests!

Dave, N5DO

You asked for comments from someone who has used the SteppIR 3-element yagi for awhile. I have had mine up for a little over 2 years. I bought it when the price was less than $1,000. I have been a ham since 1960 and I can flatly state that this is the best antenna I have ever owned. Of course it is basically a simple antenna -- a full sized monoband 3-element yagi on each frequency between 14 and 54 Mhz. I mostly like to contest and this antenna has proven itself to be effective in several contests since I put it up. I have my SteppIR antenna at 60 feet. It replaced a TA-33 that I had for more than 20 years. The difference between the TA-33 and a dipole is dramatic, and the difference between the SteppIR and the TA-33 is equally dramatic. I now have the TA-33 at 30 feet and can compare the SteppIR to the TA-33 at flip of a switch. Although there should be some times when the lower antenna works better, I have never found that to occur. There are times when the TA-33 is as good as the SteppIR, but never times when it is better. Usually the SteppIR is much better. I especially notice the difference on 20M. I now “feel” loud on 20M whereas I rarely did on the TA-33.

The 180 degree feature is wonderful. I’m surprised how many times I discover long-path openings when I hear a weak signal on the short-path, hit the 180 degree switch, and a few seconds later it comes booming in. Neat.

I have a friend here in Alpine who in the past year bought a Force 12 C-3, which he has at 70 feet (higher than mine). Although he doesn’t come out and flatly say so, I believe he is disappointed in its performance compared to my SteppIR. We often go head to head in contests and I usually outscore him. Since I know he is a good operator, I think the difference is caused by the antennas.

I also bought the “boomslide” from Fluidmotion. I found it to be a real help in putting up the SteppIR.

Any negatives? I don’t think that you have to worry about the reliability of the steppir motors. McDonald Observatory, the world’s third largest telescope, is about 30 miles north of here. Several hams work there. They tell me that they use hundreds of steppir motors constantly in their big telescope (which has an unusual design) and have only rarely had failures. On the other hand, there are two weak links: the chip that controls the steppir motors in the controller and the connection point between the fiberglass tubes and the steppir motor housings. The SteppIR people have made improvements in these.

The steppir motor driver chips are sensitive to static electricity. I had a nearby lightening strike that took out the modem on my shack computer, fried a toroid on the antenna tuner, and took out the 3 driver chips. (Maybe nothing would have prevented that from happening.) I called SteppIR and they sent me a new board with the driver chips on it. I replaced the board and sent them the old board back. No charge – not even for the shipping fee. I paid the UPS fee going back to them, but they told me to send it COD. I felt bad because I didn’t believe it was their fault. Jim at SteppIR told me that I should have put a ground on the control box, that would help with the static problem. He said they would put that in the Instruction Manual and I believe they have done so.

When I bought my antenna they sold rubber “boots” as an extra to use if you were going to use your antenna in a portable mode. I did not buy the “boots” and just taped the fiberglass tubes to the motor housings as the instructions called for. One night in a severe windstorm (Alpine is in the mountains at 4500 ft. elevation) one of the tubes pulled loose and fell to the ground. It broke, and the copper tape was hanging down from one-half of the reflector. I used the controller to retract the reflector – I could still use the antenna as a 2 element yagi. I called SteppIR and they sent me a new fiberglass tube free of charge and a complete set of boots free of charge. They told me they now supply the boots with all antennas – it is a much better arrangement than the tape.

When I re-installed all the fiberglass tubes using the boots, I did not have one of the tubes fully seated in the driven element housing. The copper strips that are the elements themselves have a little ball on the end to help the tape slide out to the proper length. This ball was getting caught in the small space I had between the housing and the tube and the element would not extend. I called SteppIR again and they gave me advice on what to check. After I fixed that problem everything has been fine.

I think the SteppIR antenna is basically easy to put up and take care of – my problems were caused in part by my own errors. But I have found the SteppIR people to be the most user friendly that I have ever worked with. Their customer service is second to none. I’m sure they get lots of calls from people wanting to know how it works and making dumb mistakes like mine, but they are always patient.

The only negative is that you need to be prepared to wait for several months to get your antenna. They have a backlog of orders and are making them as fast as they can.

I hope my ramblings are of some use to you as you make your decision.

Van, W4GIW

Had a 4 element up for 10 days and I love it. I get on the band and can act like a rock star. Signal so big I run my own pileups. Of course the linear at 1kw (legal) helps. Antenna is well built. went together exactly as shown and does what it is supposed to do. Absolutley 100% from me.

Jim, N1NK

Took down a C4i this summer and replaced it with a steppir 3 element and have been very pleased with the results. assembly was easy. antenna is a bit heavy but not excessive. quick band change with solid state xcvr and amp is handy.

Bob - W3YY

I've had the 4-El version up for about a year and am VERY pleased with theantenna. I would assume the 3-El is equally pleasing. 3B9FR has a 3-El SteppIR and said "It has changed my radio life!".

Here is an email I received 9-2-2004....

Ward - N0AX

I had a 2-el 5-band Gem Quad for years and was given the opportunity to try the SteppIR (I wrote a review of it for QST last year). I had some trepidations about replacing the quad, since it had done very well. Suffice it to say that the SteppIR performs just as well gain-wise and is far superior in front-to-back. The 180-degree mode is terrific, especially from out here where we are always trying to work JA and Caribbean/SA at the same time. I don't care so much about the frequency agility within a band, since I am primarily a CW guy, but if you are active on both modes, you'll really like it, especially since it doesn't destroy your F/B.

Visually, it's about 10 dB nicer looking than the quad with the spreaders, five feedlines, ten loops of wire, etc. Nancy said it looks nice - compared to the quad, of course. I haven't had a bit of trouble with it. One of the self-vulcanizing tape wraps came loose because I'm incompetent, but that's the only thing that's ever gone awry.

K0WA comments.....

Ward wrote about the SteppIR in a Product Review in QST. You can find more on the SteppIR 3-Element at the ARRL site. You have to be a member and have a sign on to access this report.

This is an intereesting web site to look at the SteppIR. Tom had the fortitude to take apart the driven element housing and peer inside. This site has a lot of nice close up pictures. Seems the crew had a great time putting the antenna together and in the air.