With 5 elements on 20m-6m and 3 elements on 40/30. For those who aspire to the pinnacle of performance, the DB42 provides coverage from 80m through 6m (with 80m dipole kit). The DB42 has a 49 ft looped driven element. This patented design allows us to make the end loop elements only 39 feet long, yet the performance is as if all 3 of the loop elements are 49 feet long. The folded dipole loop technology lets the footprint be 40% less than that of a full size yagi, losing only 0.4dB in gain performance.
The DB42 has a 80M dipole that works with the SDA100 controller for effortless tuning throughout the entire 80M band. The dipole runs parallel to the boom and uses the end elements as capacity hats, creating zero interaction with the rest of the antenna.
The 6m passive element option for the DB42 adds 3x fixed elements to the antenna, for a total of 8 elements on 6m. With no interaction or wind load added to the antenna, this option creates a 6m Yagi with 14.0 dBi of gain and 25 dB of front to rear!
The 80m dipole option is a wire dipole that runs above and parallel to the boom, connects to the reflector element center on one side of the dipole and to the director 2 on the other; The dipole is only -.7 dB below a full-sized dipole. Includes an integrated antenna switch; when purchasing the 80m dipole, the end element truss kits are included.
*1.5kW power limit when using the 80m dipole attachment
180 Degree mode: The 180 mode allows users to electrically “rotate” the antenna 180 degrees opposite the forward direction beam heading. This is accomplished with the simple press of a button, and in seconds, the transformation is complete – the Yagi is pointing in the exact opposite direction.
Bi-Directional Mode: The Bi-Directional mode function operates in a similar manner to the 180 degree mode, except when enabled, the antenna operates as a hybrid Yagi, with forward gain occurring in opposite directions, simultaneously.
Element Retract Mode: With the Element Retract Mode, the user can retract all the elements on a SteppIR antenna to the home position, and the controller will then power down automatically. Retracting elements is an extremely valuable option in the event of inclement weather such as high winds, snow, or radial icing. During lightning events, a retracted antenna greatly reduces the conductive area of the antenna platform.
Transceiver Interface: Automatically adjusts each element of the antenna as the radio tunes.
Tuning Relay: Lock-out relay connects via PTT cable to RF power source and prevents the amplifier from transmitting while the SteppIR antenna is being tuned.
Advanced Lightning Protection: Each driver chip inside the OptimizIR has a relay in front of it that protects against lightning, nearby lightning incidents, and dead shorts. Module will only work if the antenna is not in the process of adjusting when the event occurs.
