The BigIR has Arrived!

I was actually preparing to show when I heard the doorbell ring and then a UPS truck drive away from the front of the house. A fleeting thought went though my mind, “wonder if that was my SteppIR being delivered?” I sort of wrote it off because I had not received any confirmation e-mail from LeAnn at SteppIR regarding processing my order for the actual antenna.

I was surprised when the XYL came into the bathroom and told me I had just received two big boxes. Hot damn! My antenna arrived! I told her I had upgraded the current antenna and was selling the 6-BTV. I have a nice starter setup to sell with an IC-718, Z-100 tuner and the 6-BTV. Any takers?

I have been thumbing through the instructions I printed off their site for about 2 months now, as well as referring to other installs by hams who own the BigIR MkIII. I spent two days a few weeks back finishing up the mounting post and radial system. Unfortunately, I am trying to figure out the best way to bury the control cables and the coax. Eyeballing the run distance, it’s approximately 50-70′ depending on the direction I go. Not sure I can make a straight run, as some of the conduit would end up under (or on top) of the patio.

Right now the shack is located on the second story, in a spare bedroom. Future plans include a detached shack in the backyard about 25′ across from the antenna. Unfortunately, I cannot get the shack built right now, so I must make some concessions and make the cables run to the second story bedroom.

Whatever I do, I will most likely end up pulling some 16 radials (my 40′ radials) in order to dig a trench in the grass. It would run approximately 16′ east, make a turn south for another 16′ before going vertical into the floor of the second story. Not the optimal install, but you must work with what you have.

The SteppIR has already set me back some $1300, this includes the 80m coil, which I have received mixed reviews about. Originally I did not intend on purchasing it, but if I didn’t do it now, I probably would have passed on it altogether. A new shack will set me back at least $1800 and this does not include the electrical work that needs to be accomplished or insulating the inside and putting up drywall or the famed faux wood paneling.

So the interim decision is to use the “shack” I currently have until I get the new one built. Even if the cables are run in conduit above ground I am sure I will be just fine, depending on how I route it to the radio. Regardless, I am thrilled to finally have the antenna and look forward to the next step in the process.