[Towertalk] 40 meter antenna results

[W4ZW]

*>  Cushcraft 402CD    (XM240?)
*>  
*>  Cushcraft     corrodes and pieces fall off in 2 to 3 years
*>  
*    Really? XM-240 or 402CD?  I've never seen one shed any 
*parts (I did lose 
*one of the capacity wires once though). I'd be interested in 
*hearing what was 
*or was not done to antennas with the aforementioned antenna(s) 
*to cause the 
*failure. 
*
*    I'm a bigger fan of the 402CD since it can be installed 
*relatively close 
*to other antennas whereas the XM240 doesn't seem to have that 
*capability. 
*

Ditto here.  My 402CD is direct oceanfront and the performance is
superb.  It took Tropical storm Gabriella with 110" mph winds direct to
take it down after performing flawlessly for six years. Actually ripped
my rooftop tower right out of its base along with two huge AC
compressors, but the 402CD was repaired and back up and working like
always.  Only trouble here in 6 years up was that the capacity hats were
so brittle from oxidation that two broke when it fell so I replaced all
of them.  My only other comparison was an old HyGain 40M that worked OK,
but I've always felt that the 402CD really rocks.  I've now added
Leesome's reinforcements to upgrade its survivability.

I think if you check, you'll find it is the CC 402CD is the 40M antenna
of choice for most contesters.

BTW, recent conversation with Cushcraft indicate that they may bring the
402CD model back.

My 2 cents FWIW.


Jon Hamlet,  W4ZW
Casey Key Island, FL

"A little bit of Paradise in the Gulf of Mexico"