I'm using an A4S for field days that started to show various sags and
bends after up 7 years in an exposed site, maybe 70mph peak winds. It
is weak at the boom to mast and at the elements at the boom so cutting
and double wall sleeving got it all straight. Maybe $30 of tubing from
DXE. Trap boots now need replaced, available from MFJ (btw mine was
original CC). The stamped "C" shape boom to element clamps also splay
with use so the elements loosen. Two 6-32 x 2" SS machine screws on the
"C" flanges keep this from happening. An enthusiastic FD assembler
squashed one element by overtightening the through bolts, so some more
cut and double sleeve fixed that and made it more assembler proof.
Overall an ok antenna if tweaked a bit. I can't speak to what MFJ
"value engineering" has done to it.
Grant KZ1W
On 4/11/2015 5:17 AM, john@kk9a.com wrote:
I also own a Cushcraft A3, but I have only used it for field day type
setups and it's currently in a box in Aruba. The aluminum tubing crushes
when you tighten the element clamps and in my opinion it is not heavy duty
but I have had many contest wins with it so I have no complaints.
I used a different A3 during the ARRL DX Phone contest last month. It was
mounted at 33'. One element fell off a couple weeks before the contest but
it was repaired. Running barefoot I made over 6200 QSOs in a weekend so
it works reasonably well. You can read more about this contest effort here
-> http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/3830/2015-03/msg02222.html
John KK9A
To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] antenna choices for K4XS
From: Bill via TowerTalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
Reply-to: Cqtestk4xs@aol.com
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2015 07:52:16 -0400
Ed is right about not having to spend money to have a big signal.
Although I bought my M2 stuff new, the four Cushcraft antennas are all
used. The A-3 tribander cost me $75. The three high stack of A-3WS
antennas
were all second hand and I think the three high stack for 12/17 cost me
around $500 total and that includes the 30 meter adapter kit for the top
one.
The signal is second to none on 12 and 17....for $500.
Bottom line, like Ed said...you can spend big bucks for antennas or you
can be resourceful and do it on the cheap, but still have a good signal.
K4XS
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