Anyone using the 3 element steppir with 40/30 option on 6 meters. The reason I ask is I can not get swr to go below about 2.5
Thanks
Roger
Thanks
Roger
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Posted 6 months ago
Roger,
I had the same issue, and had questioned SteppIR about their settings, but did not hear back from them. For instance, if you use the extra "passive" element, their manual says to make it 112" and this would be for use around 50.0 through 50.4. But, if you type in the FT8 freq for 6M into a calculator, you will find that the Driven element should be 112." So, in my opinion, their passive element director must be too long at 112."
If you want to get the lowest possible SWR on 6m, you should be able to get it under 1.3 by doing the following:
Go to Create/Modify in the setup routine of the SDA100 controller. Make sure you have your controller already on the desired frequency in 6M (ie. 50.313). Bring all elements home manually. They wont go to zero, i think about 4 inches is home.
Now bring the driven element out to about 105" and adjust +/1 until you find the lowest SWR. Then bring out the Reflector, and then the Director. When you have adjusted all elements, dont forget to save your new settings.
I think I get about 1.04 or so on my DB18E doing this. When i find the time, I will check this out with EzNec.
Hope this helps.
r/Mike
WB0O
I had the same issue, and had questioned SteppIR about their settings, but did not hear back from them. For instance, if you use the extra "passive" element, their manual says to make it 112" and this would be for use around 50.0 through 50.4. But, if you type in the FT8 freq for 6M into a calculator, you will find that the Driven element should be 112." So, in my opinion, their passive element director must be too long at 112."
If you want to get the lowest possible SWR on 6m, you should be able to get it under 1.3 by doing the following:
Go to Create/Modify in the setup routine of the SDA100 controller. Make sure you have your controller already on the desired frequency in 6M (ie. 50.313). Bring all elements home manually. They wont go to zero, i think about 4 inches is home.
Now bring the driven element out to about 105" and adjust +/1 until you find the lowest SWR. Then bring out the Reflector, and then the Director. When you have adjusted all elements, dont forget to save your new settings.
I think I get about 1.04 or so on my DB18E doing this. When i find the time, I will check this out with EzNec.
Hope this helps.
r/Mike
WB0O
Hi Roger!
Did you ever hear back from SteppIR?
Thanks!
Did you ever hear back from SteppIR?
Thanks!
Basically there answer was "very interesting. Let us know what you figure out."
Wow, isn’t that a nice answer!
Do you know if this problem also exits for the DB18E?
Thanks for your help!
Jeremy
W2JG
Do you know if this problem also exits for the DB18E?
Thanks for your help!
Jeremy
W2JG
(Edited)
Michael Walker, Official Rep
Mike
Did you happen to record your measurements?
When you extended the other elements, what were you looking for? Low SWR?
Did you notice a performance improvement?
Many thanks, Mike
Did you happen to record your measurements?
When you extended the other elements, what were you looking for? Low SWR?
Did you notice a performance improvement?
Many thanks, Mike
What is the bandwidth of this modified approach, ie can it be tuned to operate over the 50-54MHz band? What is the instantaneous bandwidth, ie the bandwidth without having to retune? Thanks!
Michael Walker, Official Rep