I love my SteppIR BigIR (Full Video) (

Brent, VA6NN, has a big question "Do you still like your your BigIR vertical over your Butternut?" That's it, watch to learn more.
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[@ericdee6802]

This is the subject that keeps on giving!

[@Photomanguru]

I really appreciate this review. I have a much better understanding of verticals now. I'm looking at the AV-640, it might work better for me than the hex beam I had convinced myself was the right antenna; the issue with it is size, aesthetics, rotator, installation and maintenance. Thank you so much!! Love to watch your videos.

[@gibsonmb1]

This is a really really good video with so much useful stuff in it, particularly the antenna safety rules at the end. Interestingly I note that the sensitivity (not a real measure on an antenna) of the BigIR is a good 3dB down on my 40m 1/2 wave long wire in terms of SNR using my KIWISDR as a measure.

[@dodegkr]

Such a shame they cost $3912 in the UK

[@pauls8456]

Unless I missed it you didn’t mention raising the base of a vertical off the ground as you know this helps in many ways, reduces the effect of nearby buildings and generally only requires a few raised radials typically 3 or 4 for a mono band vertical. Thanks for the videos.

[@Rickm505]

Aluminum Screening 3ft x 10 ft works well as radial

[@ths3900]

Absolutely True!

[@WillShattuck]

Thanks Dave. I am a new ham. And I have to figure out how to build some of these antennas that you’re talking about. Because I just cannot afford them. Thank you for all of your videos that explain why and how antennas work.

[@davecasler]

I have a video on how to construct your own 40m dipole with stuff laying around your garage, plus some coax. See th-cam.com/video/gfLUrVnnQUI/w-d-xo.html

[@gregparker2733]

Hello Dave, I too am wondering about how much nearby objects such as trees and houses will attenuate the signal. I have a small yard so a ground mounted vertical with a large radial field is not doable. I do have a tree from which I could hang a vertical, but we have quite a few houses and trees nearby which block the horizon.

[@rpremo2980]

Great review on the verticals; Any thoughts on whether down sloped earth (radials plane) have an impact especially if you can't get 360 degrees with verticals as they are blocked by house.

[@adriancressy8363]

BUT IT'S A REMOTE CONTROLLED VERTICAL. You can sit in the shack with the "tuner" and make be resonant on any frequency, even when there is 12 inches of snow on the ground. AND 20M I can make contact with almost any one with out "rotating" and wasting time and losing the CQ...CQ time.

[@BusDriverRFI]

There are things you can do to improve a vertical and there are things you can do to degrade your vertical. Lossy components can degrade the performance for example.

[@KD9ZHF]

How much space do you need around it.

[@theroguetomato5362]

My 20m hamstick vertical doesn't work very well. I'm going to combine another one and turn it into a hamstick dipole. Wish me luck - it's very difficult to have ANY kind of antenna where I live, so even the 20m hamstick dipole will only be about 10 ft off the ground at most. I can't even put it in the attic of this ranch house, since the radiant barrier in there would act like a faraday cage.

[@polishpicl]

fan of yours so here's my question,,,my 9-1 un un works fine,,,,,afraid to do this but can you put 2 -9-1 un un in parallel and have them work (18-1)???

[@davecasler]

Putting them in parallel might increase the power-handling capability, but I'd recommend building a sturdier balan instead.

[@criscross6591]

👍👍

[@extreme978]

Dave, I think the dx commander will just be a craze. Kinda like the g5rv, it will die out.

[@user-jm4cd5po9b]

Butternut HF9V = $750. SteppIR Big IR over $2,800 plus radials as well. Now you have to add controller, control cable and needs power to operate. You taking this antenna to the nursing home with you? You're not looking good bud.

[@olafelsberry420]

If you mispronounce Elsberry you are not too bright.

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you, Dave. N0QFT