Evening,

Which one is best and why

Ultrabeam,
Steppir,
Optibeam.

I am lookingfor a new antenna for Homebase HF.
My thoughts are with a SteppIR DB-36.
What does everyone think, or is there another manufacturer I should think about.

Cheers

Clive

Thanks for the Info John.

I hadn't heard of these guys.
I will take a look and read some reviews.

Cheers

Clive

Yeah some nice antennas there as well.

Thanks for the input.

Ultrabeam, the best I have ever owned and used and survived 5 years of West Coast weather.

I've used more HF antennas that I care to mention, Optibeam and SteppIR failed miserably, I had to pay for snapped SteppIR elements and Tom of Optibeam fame refused to sell me replacement elements when the boom to mast bracket snapped, he did make me a generous offer by trying to sell me a new one, and wait for it, give me a 10% discount, and wait for it again, the new antenna would be supplied with guess what modifaction?

The newly introduced beefed up mast to boom bracket

I purchased new elements for the SteppIR and sold it, the Optibeam was consigned to the scrap bin

Oh yes, Ultrabeam

Thanks for the input John.
Ultrabeam is built bigger so able to withstand a bit more severe weather I suppose.

I have used a 4 ele Steppir for the last 10 years or so. It had not let me down at all. But a few weeks ago a bit of static caused me problems. The controller and the motors.

So as you can imagine my heart says steppir. I just wanted people's thoughts before I went and bought one.

Thanks again for your input.
I will check the Ultrabeam website and see what my mast will take.

Cheers.

My SteppIR was the 4ele version Clive, it worked great apart from the 17mtrs band, not a major issue, it didn't load up as sweet as the rest of the bands no matter what adjustments I made, but as said earlier, a minor observation.

Despite replacement elements being a reasonable cost to replace, I wanted a true survivor, I must say that the Ultrabeam has excelled in every way, having said that, my arse has been twitching during some of the storms we have encountered up here over the years.

Hope all goes well and you make the right choice, not totally sure, but Dan the site sponsor might be able to do an Ultrabeam deal, and its his birthday today

Thanks John

When I have decided and it's up in the air I will post a few pics on here.

Cheers

It was brought to my attention lately that since Ultrabeam has been bought by Wimo the quality has gone downhill dramatically

Trevor
EI2GLB

Hi Trevor,

Strange as I saw a wanted add a few weeks ago for an original ultrabeam and not a Wimo one wanted.

Maybe that's why.

Thanks for the input.

Clive

It is Clive I was chatting that guy and he told me,

73
Trevor
EI2GLB