The SteppIr 80 meter rotating dipole kit requires a 50 ohm to 12.5 ohm
balun. I elected not to use the factory supplied unit, but instead, had Jay
Terleski build one for me that can handle 5KW, and it has a 7/16 DIN
connector on it to match the coax connectors that I use here. I also had
Jay build a 10KW balun with the 7/16 DIN connector on it for 40 thru 6
meters.. The factory also includes a two position coaxial switch to that
you can switch between 80 meters, and the rest of the bands. I also had
Jay build me a two position coaxial switch capable of handling 10KW DC to
substitute for the factory unit. I know that this is a bit confusing, but
the SteppIr supplied coax switch and baluns are not heavyduty enough for my
liking, so I always turn to Jay and his Array Solutions to design and build
components for me. He does a great job.
Best 73
Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of John Miller
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 6:27 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Update on 80 meter windom antenna
It has a 4:1 balun and still calls for you to make a few turns in the coax?
Somehow that doesn't sound too right to me.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Fred Adams" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 7:28 AM
Subject: Re: Update on 80 meter windom antenna
> Allen, I totally agree with most of what you are saying. I have put up
> many dipoles, verticals etc but this is my first windom antenna. No, it
> does not use traps and it is an off center fed dipole with a 4 to 1 balun.
> It is 136 feet long and long leg is 92 feet and short leg is 44 feet. I
> will wait to see what others say before making any more comments as this
> is
> my first windom and I may not know what I am talking about.I just got the
> antenna up so I haven't had time to do much with it. I won't be able to
> do
> anything much this week as we are having our bathrooms remodeled and
> things
> will be in a mess. Thanks much,
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Alan R. Downing
> Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 6:48 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Update on 80 meter windom antenna
>
> Hello Fred,
>
> I am not familiar with this antenna, but if the lowest SWR that you can
> achieve is 2.0 to 1, then I would suggest that something is very wrong. I
> have read specs on many multi-band antennas over the years, and the
> highest
> SWR at band edges is generally stated to be under 2.0 to 1. An SWR of
> 6.0
> to 1 is outrageous in my opinion. You may use a tuner to bring the SWR
> down, but that doesn't do anything to reduce the SWR from the perspective
> of the coax. If you ran very much power into an antenna with an SWR of 6
> to 1 you would probably destroy the coax. Many hams believe that
> everything is hunkey dorey when the tuner brings the SWR down from the
> perspective of the radio, but that doesn't mean that the coax won't suffer
> the consequences. A tuner does not reduce the SWR on the feed line. Have
> you reviewed the assembly or installation directions that came with the
> antenna to see what is said regarding tuning the antenna? The paperwork
> may tell you how to reduce the SWR, without destroying the SWR on any
> single band. Does this antenna use traps? Also, what kind of coax are
> you
> using? What is the maximum power that you will be transmitting? Perhaps
> others will express their opinions about this SWR situation, but I
> personally would not use an antenna with SWR over 2.0 to 1. I go crazy if
> my SteppIr displays an SWR at some frequency on the band of 1.2 to 1. I
> am
> not saying that every antenna will have an SWR as low as what a SteppIr
> will produce, but I believe that the installation and operating
> instructions for my DB36 say that an SWR
> under 1.5 to 1 is acceptable. That means that an SWR at that point on
> the
> band in question over 1.5 to 1 is unacceptable, and that further tuning on
> that band is required.
>
> If the antenna instructions that a balun is required, then get an
> appropriate one before pouring on the coal.
>
> Best 73, and good luck.
>
> Alan R. Downing
> Phoenix, AZ
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Fred Adams
> Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 3:01 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Update on 80 meter windom antenna
>
> I think you guys remember me asking for info on the 10 thru 80 meter
> windom
> antenna a couple of weeks ago and I thought I would bring you up to date
> on
> my progress. I purchased the antenna from Radio WAVZ and got it up on my
> tower about 6 PM Friday evening so I haven't had time for lots of testing.
> I had just enough room to put it up without any bends or turns. The apex
> is up at about 37 feet and the ends up at 10 feet. I had enough COAX to
> make only a 3 turns choke with adding extra COAX and so far I have had no
> RF. I can tune allbands with my LDG tuner except 15 meters. I do not
> need
> a tuner on the 40 meter band and I didn't try 60 meters as I couldn't
> remember the frequencies. The highest SWR is on 75 meters and I would
> like
> to bring it down some if possible. On 75 meters the SWR is 6.0 and the
> other bands run from 2.0 to just over 3.0.The low end of 75 meters is
> about
> 3.5 SWR.I do not want to make any quick changes as I suspect making any
> changes may change the other bands also. Band reception has not been very
> good but as best I can tell the antenna seems to receive well. It sure is
> nice to get most of the bands with a single dipole antenna. I will
> appreciate any suggestions for improvement and especially bringing down
> the
> SWR on 75 meters. Thanks much,
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