The DB18 and DB18E are the most popular antennas in the DB line, due to their performance vs. size profile.  The loop elements used for 40 and 30m are 40% shorter than a full size element would be, with very little sacrifice in performance (-0.4dB).

The DB18 uses an integral coax switch to select which one of the three elements are driven to give equal performance in forward and reverse directions. The control of the Antenna and Coax switch is integrated into the SDA 100 controller (standard on DB18) for effortless tuning.

The only difference between the DB18 and the DB18E is on 30m – the DB18 has two elements on 30m, making it a wide spaced high gain dipole with very little front to rear.  The DB18E has 3 elements on 30m, making it an optimally spaced Yagi with solid gain and excellent front-to-rear ratios.

*Due to the confusion about the EIA/TIA wind ratings, SteppIR is now using PROJECTED AREA as the measurement for our customers to utilize when sizing an antenna to a tower. Projected area by definition 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 perpendicular 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. Be sure to present this information (along with the weight of the antenna, turning radius, element lengths, height of antenna, location exposure category, locations three-second gust wind speed, and locations maximum radial ice loading) to your structural engineer and/or tower manufacturer so that they can specify the correct product for your antenna.

• Dreambeam DB18 yagi
• 3 el on 20m-6m
• 2 el on 40/30m
• 18 ft boom
• Controller options:
  • SDA 100
  • OptimizIR