[Rover] Cushcraft A270-10S

[Phil Lefever]

At 22:26 07/01/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>Does anyone have any experience or opinions on the Cushcraft A270-10S as a=
=20
>rover antenna? This antenna has separate 5 element yagis for 144-148MHz=20
>and 430-450MHz on a common boom. Cushcraft claims 10dBi for each band. The=
=20
>boom length is a little over 6 feet and it's in two pieces.

These antennas really aren't designed for the low ends of the
bands. I'm sure that gain and pattern suffer. The feed system
is simply a UHF "T" connector that often floods with water.
Even in the FM portion of the band I have been unimpressed
by there antennas.

I'd prefer to use 2 small monoband antennas like a M2 2m4
with a 420-50-11 with separate feeds. I agree it is a hassle
to rove with long antennas but this doesn't mean that you
should accept un-necessary compromise.

>This antenna would seem to be a good compromise for a rover who doesn't=20
>want to hassle with a lot of big antennas.

The upside is that it is likely better then loops. It is
also simple and fairly inexpensive. The adage applies, any
antenna is better then no antenna. On the other hand you
can find better performance is a similar sized package.

73

Phil Lefever

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Phil Lefever	KB=D8NES				Twin Cities Repeater Club
kb0nes@tcrc.org					Burnsville,MN