[50mhz] 50 Mhz antennas

[WA2BPE]

The 617B was a decent antenna  (I still hv one in use - to be replaced (hopefully
soon) by an M^2 6M2WL).  The CC delivers no where near the 14 dBd gain the
catalog stated; 10dBd-ish more like it.  There have been several published
articles that improved the design once some good modeling was done.  The one
thing I can say, is that it has been mechanically rugged and held up with ice
loading + wind.  Today, M^2 delivers gain/pattern as quoted (usually within a few
tenths of a dB) - there are various models depending on your needs.  One
"criticism" of the M^2 has been some problems of water getting into the "block"
but I do not know exactly what the problem is nor M^2s resolution.  My criteria
for antenna installation is to last 15 years without problems (barring 2" of ice,
a tornado, or a direct lightning strike!) - if I decide to change it sooner is a
separate issue.

73,

Tom - WA2BPE - FN12lf
"44 years on six m 8/02 and proud of it"


N4ue@aol.com wrote:

> George, I have had 3 Cushcraft antennas, A50-5, A50-6, and a redesign of my
> own, I called the A50-7. I lengthened the boom and added an extra director,
> changed the spacing and element lengths. It worked very well. Steve Katz ran
> a description of these changes years ago in his VHF section in CQ. I also own
> an M2 7el JHV. The JHV is a real POS, in my humble opinion. I won't go into
> the details, they can be found on the reviews in E-Ham. I would never, ever
> buy another M2.
> I have heard that CC has discontinued the 617 Boomer. I have installed
> several of these and they are very rugged, but were probably getting long in
> the tooth, design wise. Perhaps CC will come out with an 'improved' Boomer
> for 6M. I found a re-design on the www that took a Boomer and reduced it to 5
> elements and then stacked a pair with very good results.
> I wouldn't put a lot of faith in any mfg. claims of gain. I would like to see
> a side by side comparison on an antenna range.
>
> ron
>
> N4UE
> Moderator: Ray Brown, KB0STN
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