The 40-2CD is a great antenna on 17. The only ones who beat me are the gang
with multi element mono-banders. The SWR is 1.9 to 1 so some transceivers
will require the use of a tuner. Bill K1MM alerted me to its use on 12. I
found that it has a cloverleaf pattern on 12 and its either boom or bust.
A JA might be 20 over where a DU might only be S3. I found trying to rotate
it for best signal was a chore. I put up a 2 element W9PNE X Beam and its
been gangbusters since. I started on both bands with just my little ICOM
and 100 watts (300+ on 17 and 240+ on 12) but lately the competition is
tough (all using linears) so I found my old Henry 2K outs out 600 watts on
both bands. I am at 347 on 17 meters (need 7 for all) and 313 on 12.
I tried the beam on 30 but found my 80 meter half square is mucn better.
Signals are 3 S units louder on the half square. The beam will tune but as
one respondant said its a chore to work Dx even then.
The real surprise is the Cushcraft will (through a tuner) work on 160. On
receive its as good as any antenna I have tried for skywave and first hop
stations. Its not very good for Europe but I often have it as one of my two
antennas in my receiver set up through a Palomar pre-amp (selects two
antennas).
I don't recommend loading in anything over your exciter intp the beam. Sure
beats the hell out of a 80 meter with shorted feedline. There is little
directivity as I can turn the beam 360 degrees while talking to stations and
there is no difference.
73 Dave K4JRB
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