[TowerTalk] Force 12 Antenna Question

[Stone, Gary R.]

Well, here is my view:  I wanted my new installation to cover 7 bands
with beam antennas.  I opted for the OptiBeam OB17-4 with the Force12
WARC-7 12 feet above the Optibeam.  Seven bands covered with no less
than 2 elements and the only bands with less than full size elements is
40 and 30. And I wanted no traps.  I used a Cushcraft A4S for many years
and got on the SSB Honor Roll with that antenna and had zero problems,
but it is trapped and I was just starting to think I needed a
replacement.

Now, I am not sure if my choice was the correct choice and it was
definitely and expensive choice.  There is an OptiBeam now that has all
7 bands on one antenna - with at least 2 elements on each band - I would
seriously look at that if I were doing it again.

As to your questions about the XR-5 or the Cushcraft duo one advantage
to the Cushcraft duo is the fact that you can add rotatable dipole for
30 and 40 meters and that would then give you 7 bands coverage and I
don't think there is such an option with the XR-5.  The other concern I
would have with the XR-5 is its performance in a windy area?  It appears
that the elements are fairly close together as it is a fairly short
boom. I would then suspect the wind could cause SWR problems.  

I am very interested in your responses.  If all else aside I would
choose the Cushcraft duo over the XR-5 (at least I think that is what I
would do).

Gary, N5PHT



-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of mike ryan
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 11:05 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Force 12 Antenna Question

Gentlemen, I asked this question a couple of weeks ago and did not get a
big response so perhaps you guys were cleaning your garages that day.
This is always the place to ask questions and the answers are always
informative so here we go.
 
I need to make a decision as to whether to use my Force 12 XR-5 beam or
my Cushcraft A-4 and an A-3WS.  The Force 12 supposedly has only 2
elements per band and does not brag about a lot of gain. Is this just
not that great of a beam?? The Cushcraft is no peach either I am sure
but given just the choice of the Cushcraft  pair over the XR-5 what does
the brain trust here recommend.GO AT IT GUYS!  And as always thank you
for your input. It is appreciated.  - Mike
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