Topband: MA160V - Performance?

[by way of Bill Tippett <btippett@alum.mit.edu>]

Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 20:46:17 -0400
From: "Joe Reisert, W1JR" <W1JR at arrl.net>
Subject: Fwd: Re: Topband: MA160V - Performance?


>Hi Javier,
>
>The MAV160 performs quite well for its size. I tested one here (see 
>below) and it was sometime nearly equal to or only a few dB down 
>from my normal loaded tower.
>
>However, Cushcraft in their original assembly manual only recommends 
>8 radials (per the MAV8040 manual. 4 by 65 feet and 4 by 35 feet) 
>with the 400 feet of #18 AWG wire they provide. Some have tried this 
>and the antenna seems to work OK and has a good VSWR. Others have 
>not been so successful (like the ZD8  group in late February).
>
>I put mine over my 80 meter test range. It consists of about 32 
>radials each about 65 feet long. It worked quite well as stated 
>above but the VSWR is poor at 2.5-3:1. However, if your feedline is 
>short and the transceiver has an antenna tuner, this is OK.
>
>For a small low cost antenna, it is not bad. I hope this information helps.
>
>73,
>
>Joe, W1JR