[50mhz] Beam purchase

[LANCE COLLISTER]

Cecil Acuff wrote:
> 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
> 
> Moderator: Ray Brown, KB0STN
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> 
Hello Cecil,

If you are willing to do a little homebrewing, you can construct as good an 
antenna (or better) than anything commercially available:

http://www.yu7ef.com/

You can make the antennas as rugged as is required by your local weather.  For 
detailed example of how one person constructed his YU7EF yagi:

http://www.on4kst.com/10el50/

I have worked a number of YU7EF yagis on 6m EME, and they really work.  I will 
add, though, that I have noticed a significant reduction in ground gain when 6m 
beams are mounted above HF beams, which tend to look like ground and shield the 6m 
beams from precious reflections coming up from the ground.  However, if you are 
aren't looking for the extra dB of ground gain and are happy with an all-round 
beam for casual use, that type of installation probably will satisfy your needs.

GL and VY 73, Lance



-- 
Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT  59834  USA
QTH: DN27UB
TEL: (406) 626-5728   URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
2m DXCC #11, 6m DXCC #815