[50mhz] Beam purchase

[Chris Boone]

Cruchcraft?? I would look at M2 or someone else before CC...their COMMERCIAL
line is ok and heavier duty (had a 3 element 48MHz model in Conroe
TX...still in good shape after 15 years!) The ham versions fall apart....I
USED to buy them because they were cheaper..but after buying 2 or 3, you
realize ONE good higher priced model would last much longer....and less
money overall.

Hygain used be good...but the last MFJ antenna I bought will be the LAST MFJ
I buy :)

4-5 elements?? Wanna try home built??? I did a 4 el home brew on a 10ft boom
decades ago...WORKED like a hose at 20ft...and was EMT...1/2 in on the
elements and 1.5in on the boom...gamma macth was cheap (1/2in and RG8 center
conductor) and it HUNG from the driven element but it WORKED and damn good I
might add..I used the 5element design in the ARRL VHF Handbook and dropped
one director (5el on 12ft boom)....viola! It worked on 10ft and spaced out a
little, better bandwidth but a little gain and FB sacrificed....EHHH It was
ok on 6 AM back in the 70/80s.

Chris
WB5ITT
EL29

-----Original Message-----
From: 50mhz-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:50mhz-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Cecil Acuff
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 8:54 PM
To: 50mhz at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [50mhz] Beam purchase

Greetings Group,

I am planning a 6 meter beam purchase.  Looking for a 4 to 6 element. (maybe

as much as 7 el) What is recommended.  I know this is somewhat of an open 
ended question but I think in the long run for me, beneficial to tap the 
experiences of this group.

The beam will be mounted above my HF beam at around 55 ft.

I have looked at M2 and they look nice but kind of light weight.  I live in 
the gulf coastal region and we get some ugly storms at times.  No ice to 
worry with for the most part.  I had just about decided to buy a Cushcraft 5

element but have been warned of issues with water entering the connector and

the gamma match.  Some seem to like the Hy-Gain line but I'm not sure if 
those are still being sold or not outside of the HF stuff MFJ is selling.

Not really looking for a 30' boomer just more of a general purpose beam that

is durable but a good performer.

Any suggestions would be appreciated...

Thanks...

Cecil Acuff
K5DL