26
Create/Modify
The factory default antennas programmed into the controller have been modeled and field
tested to provide very good gain, without sacrificing front-to-rear performance. The
Create/Modify
menu allows the user to change the length of any SteppIR elements for
each master antenna segment. This feature can be used to try out custom antenna
designs, or to “tune out” potential objects that are causing interaction or SWR problems.
The driven element can be changed up to +/- 5% in length to obtain a better match with
no appreciable change in gain or front to back performance. It is always best to just tune
the driven element to correct SWR problems. This feature is especially good for those
users who experiment with modeling programs such as EZ-NEC. When finished changing
respective lengths, the user can save the new antenna to memory. This will override the
factory default antenna for any given ham band or frequency range.
If at any point the user desires to go back to the factory default antennas, this can be done
by pressing
SETUP
, select “Reset User Data” with the
K2 knob
, press
SELECT
then
press
Master Reset
or
Default Length,
then press
SELECT
.
Computer modeling has dramatically simplified antenna design. With this technology, the
average ham can create his/her own antennas and have a very accurate idea how the
antenna will perform before it is built.
While the availability of antenna modeling software has been a giant leap forward in
antenna design, to fully exploit it you need to be able to modify the elements length with
the antenna mounted in its operational position. We are able to change the elements
length in the air while on an antenna range and determine very closely our electrical
element length. For typical Yagi antennas, the user must just estimate it, thus leading to
less than optimum performance. With the SteppIR adjustable antennas, design
technology has been advanced one step further. The user can now model and build as
many different antennas they want, without ever leaving the ham shack.
Remember that modeling programs output the electrical length of the element, not the
physical length. The controller indicates the physical length. The electrical length is from
2 -3.5% longer due to the conductor diameter, mounting hardware and dielectric loading
due to the telescoping fiberglass poles. This data is accounted for and programmed into
the factory default antennas.
The element names used refer to their location on the boom, not their function. See
antenna manual for the location of each element.
The antenna can be created at any frequency within the ham band or general frequency
segment. For the very best results, model the new antenna in the middle of the band or
frequency segment and set the controller to that frequency before creating the antenna.
