[TowerTalk] 40 meter beam input

[Dave Fuller]

I am putting up 90 feet of RH55 this summer but still trying to control 
the buget a little.  I live at 7200 feet in the New Mexico mountains so 
I do get some ice,snow, and wind.  I am starting to consider purchase of 
a 40 meter beam and there is a wide range of cost on these antennas.  I 
know high quality construction costs extra, but the price jumps are huge 
and I don't want to overspend when good might be enough for my 
application.  Models I am considering are:

M2 40M3L  $993

M2 40M4LLDD  $1428

Force 12  Mag 340 N   $1989

Optibeam  OB4-40   $3655

My primary interest is CW contesting and DX.   I am looking for input on 
these choices and maybe some others that I haven't considered yet.  If 
you have input/experience/advice, please let me know on or off list.

Thanks

-Dave WD7Z