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13406 SE 32nd St, BELLEVUE WA, 98005 WWW.CONSUMER.STEPPIR.COM TEL: (425)-453-1910
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.