SteppIR 2 Element Yagi User manual

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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: [phone]
2 Element Yagi Instruction Manual
Manual REV 3.52 February 22 2023
2 Element Yagi 20-6m
(not to scale)
2 Element Yagi with 40/30 Loop
(not to scale)

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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: [phone]
*Projected area is the total perpendicular surface area measured in square feet/square meters, that is exposed to
wind. To calculate wind load you always take the largest projected area whether that is from the perspective per-
pendicular to the boom or perpendicular to the elements. In the case of SteppIR Yagi's, the maximum projected
area will always be the sum of the surface area's perpendicular to the Yagi elements. This calculation is a constant
number and will not change regardless of EIA specification changes. Do not mistake this projected area calculation
as anything more than a datapoint to present to your structural engineer, tower manufacturer or rotator manufac-
turer so that they can determine what is necessary for your application.
When sizing an antenna to a tower, many factors need to be taken into consideration including, but not limited to:
projected area of antenna in square feet or square meters, weight of the antenna and other items on tower, turning
radius, element lengths, antenna height, location exposure category, locations three-second gust wind-speed, lo-
cations maximum radial ice loading.
Improper specification of an antenna or rotator to a tower can result in product failure, injury or death. SteppIR is
not an expert on tower or rotator sizing and for this reason will never offer any recommendation – this specification
process is meant for industry professionals such as a structural engineer, tower manufacturer or rotator manufac-
turer. Please do not attempt to self-specify our products – the information provided by SteppIR is to be utilized by
industry professionals only and we will not accept any liability for improperly specified antenna/tower/rotator appli-
cations.
Specification 2 Element Yagi 2 Element Yagi + 40/30 Loop
Boom length 60” (61.5” overall length) 60” (61.5” overall length)
Boom outside diameter 1-3/4” 1-3/4”
Longest element 36 ft 39 ft
Turning radius 18.94 ft 20.4 ft
Weight 30 lb 37 lb
Projected Area* 7.27 sq ft / 0.66 sq m 10 sq ft / 1.01 sq m
Wind rating 100 mph 100 mph
Adjustable elements 22
Power rating 3 kW continuous 3 kW continuous
Feed points 11
Frequency coverage 13.85 MHz - 54 MHz 6.95 MHz - 54 MHz
Tuning rate 1.3 ft/s 1.3 ft/s
Control cable 12 conductor 22awg shielded 12 conductor 22awg shielded
Frequency 2E Gain
dBi
2E Front to rear
dB
40/30 loop gain
dBi
40/30 loop front to rear
dB
40m N/A N/A 1.8 N/A
30m N/A N/A 2.1 N/A
20m 6.6 21 N/A N/A
17m 6.6 16 N/A N/A
15m 6.5 13 N/A N/A
12m 6.4 11 N/A N/A
10m 6.2 9N/A N/A
6m 5.0 2N/A N/A
6m w/ passive 8.3 20 N/A N/A
ANTENNA SPECIFICATIONS

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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: [phone]
SteppIR - Why Compromise? 4
Preamble by Jim Streible 5-6
SteppIR Design 7
Abbreviations 8
Parts Checklist 9-12
Stainless Steel Fastener Information 13
Antenna Direction Configuration 14
Antenna Overview and Diagram 15
Section 1: 2 Element Yagi Boom Assembly 16
Section 2: Connecting the Mast Plate and Return Tube to the Boom 17-21
Section 3: Control Cable, Connector Junction Box, and EHU Wiring 22-27
Section 4: EHU Wiring Tests 28-29
Section 5: Attaching the EHUs to the Element Brackets 30-31
Section 6: Telescoping Poles, Sweeps, and Foam Plug Assemblies 32-37
Section 7: CPVC Guide Tubes and Diverter Cones, Attaching Fiberglass Poles, and Trusses 38-45
Section 8: 6 Meter Passive Element (Included) 46
PTT Lockout Tuning Relay (Included) 47
Voltage/Surge Suppressor (Optional) 48
Grounding the Controller 49
How to Tune Your Yagi (Mandatory) 50-52
SteppIR Options 53
Product Warranty Claim 54
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: [phone]
The SteppIR antenna was originally conceived to solve the problem of covering the six ham
bands (20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m and 6m) on one tower without the performance sacrifices
caused by interaction between all of the required antennas.
Yagi's are available that cover 20 meters through 10 meters by using interlaced elements or
traps, but do so at the expense of significant performance reduction in gain and front to back
ratios. With the addition of the WARC bands on 17m and 12m, the use of interlaced elements
and traps has clearly been an exercise in diminishing returns.
Obviously, an antenna that is precisely adjustable in length while in the air would solve the fre-
quency problem, and in addition would have vastly improved performance over existing fixed
length yagi’s. The ability to tune the antenna to a specific frequency, without regard for band-
width, results in excellent gain and front to back at every frequency.
The SteppIR design was made possible by the convergence of determination and high tech
materials. The availability of new lightweight glass fiber composites, Teflon blended thermo-
plastics, high conductivity copper-beryllium and extremely reliable stepper motors has allowed
the SteppIR to be a commercially feasible product.
The current and future SteppIR products should produce the most potent single tower antenna
systems ever seen in Amateur Radio! We thank you for using our SteppIR antenna for your
ham radio endeavors.
Warm Regards,
John Mertel
John Mertel - WA7IR
President/CEO
STEPPIR — WHY COMPROMISE?

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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: [phone]
OK - - - NOW WHAT?
(Sage advice from Jim Streible, K4DLI, SK)
PREAMBLE
You have ordered you SteppIR Antenna and are
waiting for delivery. What do you do in the meantime?
1. Go to the SteppIR web site at www.consumer.steppir.com and download the latest manual for your
antenna, and also the Operators Manual for the controller.
2. Read the manuals from cover-to-cover ---TWICE! Don’t just read them –Study them, so you are fa-
miliar the terminology used about the antennas and have a good idea of how the antenna is assem-
bled and where the various parts go.
3. As you go through the manuals make notes of any instructions you may not clearly understand, then
call or email for clarifications. It is better to have it all sorted out before you start assembly. We don’t
mind answering your questions beforehand.
4. Now, wait for notification your antenna is being shipped.
Your antenna has arrived!
What is the first thing to do?
1.If the antenna is to arrive on Wednesday----DO NOT plan an antenna party for Saturday!
2. Even if you plan to install the antenna weeks later, the first thing to do is to unpack the antenna and
do a complete inspection. Make sure nothing is missing or has been damaged in shipment.
3. Do a complete inventory of every part, nut and bolt. Yes it takes time, but it also allows you to notify
SteppIR if anything is missing and allow time to get it to you before you start assembly of the anten-
na. There is nothing more frustrating than realizing that something is missing, just hours before you
want to install the antenna.
4. Go back to the SteppIR website and download the latest manual. SteppIR constantly is improving
and adding to the manual, so even though your version of the instruction manual is going to have all
the data you need, it makes sense to check for the latest updates online. This is especially true If you
purchased the antenna and a period of time has passed between arrival and install dates.
5. Take the controller and power supply out of their wrappings and connect them. The controller does
not have to be connected to the antenna in order to familiarize yourself with it. In fact, it is best to get
familiar with the controller when it is not connected to the antenna. Turn on the controller and read
through the Operators Manual again while operating the controller in all it modes. Go through the
menus so you know what each does and how to navigate through the various menus and functions.
6. When you are familiarizing yourself with the controller be sure to verify that the controller is set for
your antenna type, or your antenna will not work properly on 40m and 30m, if it’s capable. If you are
installing the 6m passive element, be sure to enable that as well.

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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: [phone]
Your Antenna Has Arrived!
What is the first thing to do?
(continued)
7. When you have finished working with the controller be sure the display indicates “Elements Home”
and the controller has been turned OFF. When the controller is connected to the antenna and the
controller is turned back on the next time, it will think the antenna is in whatever position the control-
ler was left in last time you were using it, so you want to be sure that position is HOME.
8. Once the antenna is completely assembled and ready to mount on the antenna tower, use an anten-
na analyzer, if you have one, to test resonance of the antenna. If you don’t have an analyzer, try to
borrow one or purchase one, they are inexpensive and readily available (The NanoVNA is a great
example). It will save you a lot of time and worry. Check the antenna on each band for some sign of
resonance within the frequency range. Leave the antenna on the default frequency and scan the ham
band (you may need to open up the span to be outside of the band) with the analyzer to see where
the dip occurs. It will be somewhere below the lower band edge on each band with the antenna 3 or
4 feet above the ground on sawhorses. Also, don’t expect to see a 1:1 SWR here (on lower frequen-
cies you may see up to a 2.5 or 3:1), just look for a good indication of resonance.
Once it has been determined this part of the antenna is working correctly do the following: Select the
lowest band and establish the dip condition by tuning the analyzer. Do not touch the analyzer again.
Retract the elements and then reselect the same band. The antenna should come back to very near
the same setting. Do this 2 or 3 times on each band. Also, try going from the band being tested to
any other band and back again and observe that the antenna comes back to the same resonant
point. Now you know the antenna is tuning correctly from band to band and is consistent.
9. Once the antenna is installed on the tower, be sure to properly tune the antenna using an antenna
analyzer as the manual outlines before applying any RF power. Every install height and environment
is different and will affect the antenna’s SWR and resonant point. You don’t want to damage the an-
tenna due to high power being applied with a large mismatch.
10. Enjoy the antenna!
73
Jim Streible—K4DLI
Jim passed away in early 2016, but his advice has enduring value.
PREAMBLE
OK - - - NOW WHAT?
(Sage advice from Jim Streible, K4DLI, SK)

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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: [phone]
Currently, most multi-band antennas use traps, log cells or interlaced elements as a means to
cover several frequency bands. All of these methods have one thing in common–they signifi-
cantly compromise performance. The SteppIR antenna system is our answer to the prob-
lem. Resonant antennas must be made a specific length to operate optimally on a given fre-
quency.
So, instead of trying to “trick” the antenna into thinking it is a different length, or simply adding
more elements that may destructively interact, why not just change the antenna length? Opti-
mal performance is then possible on all frequencies with a lightweight, compact antenna. Al-
so, since the SteppIR can control the element lengths, a long boom is not needed to achieve
near optimum gain and front to back ratios on 20 - 10 meters.
Each antenna element consists of two spools of flat copper-beryllium tape conductor (.54”
Wide x .008” Thick) mounted in the element housing unit. The copper-beryllium tape is perfo-
rated to allow a stepper motor to drive them simultaneously with sprockets. Stepper motors
are well known for their ability to index very accurately, thus giving very precise control of
each element length. In addition, the motors are brushless and provide extremely long ser-
vice life.
The copper-beryllium tape is driven out into a hollow fiberglass elements support tube (see
below), forming an element of any desired length up to the limit of each specific antenna
model (a vertical uses only one side). The fiberglass elements support tubes (poles) are tele-
scoping, lightweight and very durable. When fully collapsed, each one measures approxi-
mately 59” in length. Depending on the model, there may be additional extensions added to
increase the overall element length.
The ability to completely retract the copper-beryllium antenna elements, coupled with the col-
lapsible fiberglass poles makes the entire system easy to disassemble and transport.
The antenna is connected to a microprocessor-based controller (via 22 gauge conductor ca-
ble) that offers numerous functions including dedicated buttons for each ham band, continu-
ous frequency selection from 40m to 6m (depending on the model).
Boom
Element Housing Unit
Element Support Tube
Stepper Drive Motor
Copper Beryllium Tape
Copper-Beryllium Tape
STEPPIR DESIGN

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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: [phone]
ABBREVIATIONS

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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: [phone]
It is important that you do an inventory of the items that were shipped to you. We do our
very best to ensure that you receive everything needed for construction of your antenna, but
better to be safe than sorry—inventory your parts well in advance of your installation. The items
in blue represent hardware for the 40/30 loop—you will not need to check these off if your an-
tenna does not include the 40/30 loop.
What Comes in the Antenna Box
✓QTY PART # DESCRIPTION
109-0001 Electrical tape 3/4” PVC MERCO 307
109-1025 Conical Grinding Stone, 3/4”
4 OR 6 10-1013-02 Telescoping Pole, 18 foot 4 section
110-1028-21 TM-1 Thread Magic Anti-seize sticks
110-1054-02 Truss support, 30m/40m, 36”
8 OR
12 10-1059-01 Polyolefin Heat Shrink 1-1/2” x 6”
4 OR 6 10-1059-21 Polyolefin Heat Shrink 1.1” x 6”
210-1501-23 Cover for Black EHU, With countersunk drain hole
210-1509-02 Diverter Cone
121-6040 Splitter, 6” 3-1/2mm, Stereo Male to Two RCA Female
4 OR 6 60-1006-22 QUICK DISCONNECT, 1.75" to 1.5", Fernco (STANDARD)
4 OR 2 70-1007-01 Foam plug assembly consisting of plastic cap and foam plug
170-1508-02 Boom assembly, 2 Element
270-2025-13 CPVC tube, 49” x 3/4”, with coupler
270-2025-23 CPVC tube, 39-7/8” x 3/4”, without coupler
170-2034 Connector Junction Box, 2E and 3E
170-3000-01 33 Volt supply with cord
170-3401-01 OR
70-3403-01 EHU, 20m Driven OR 40m Driven
170-3420-01 EHU, 20m Passive
170-6010-01 Adapter, 25pin Dsub Field Splice
172-0009-03 Kit, Glue
172-0010-01 or
-02
Kit, UrbanBeam/2E EHU Cable Assemblies and 16” Coax Seal (72-0010-
02 is preassembled, 72-0010-01 is bare cable only)
272-0054-01 Kit, EHU Lid Hardware - 1 for Driven and 1 for Passive
170-6002-01 2E 6m Passive element
172-0014-01 Kit, 2E/3E 6m hardware
109607 High Wind Mast Kit; 2 or 3 element Yagi
1- QR Code Sheet - Instruction Manuals
PARTS CHECKLIST

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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: [phone]
What Comes in the Sweep Box
✓QTY PART # DESCRIPTION
210-1153-01 Poly Sweeps (100psi)
410-1511-01 Sweep diverter
410-1059-21 Polyolefin Heat Shrink 1.1” x 6”
210-1503-21 Fiberglass rod, 3/8” x 31-3/4” long, black
172-0008-11 Kit, 2E/3E 40/30m Return Hardware
172-0018-31 Kit, 39’ Element Truss, 2E, 3E, DB18/18E/36/42 end elements
172-0027-03 EST Return Tube, 1-3/4” x 12”, Fiberglass, with reinforcing rings
172-0030-61 Kit, Sweep hardware
PARTS CHECKLIST
72-0009-03
Kit, Glue
✓QTY PART # DESCRIPTION
109-1020-10 Weldon 10259 Multi-Purpose Cement, 6mL
109-1013 Glass vial, 6mL
409-1011 Cotton tip applicator, 3”
72-0010-01
Kit, 10’ 4 Conductor Cable and Coax Seal
✓QTY PART # DESCRIPTION
10 ft 21-5001-01 Control cable, 4 conductor, 22awg, shielded
8 in 09-1022 Coax seal, 1/2” width
OR, IF YOU HAVE THE PREASSEMBLED CABLE
72-0010-02
Kit, UrbanBeam/2E EHU Cable Assemblies and 16” Coax Seal
✓QTY PART # DESCRIPTION
2 ft 21-5001-01 Control cable, 4 conductor EHU Cable Assembly, 13’
16 in 09-1022 Coax seal, 1/2” width