[TowerTalk] Discoverer 7-2 or Cushcraft xm-240

[K4SAV]

Correcting a few things on the XM240 before putting it up would help.  
Mine collected water inside the elements.  The water ran down the X-hat 
and into the hole used for mounting the X-hat.  The plugs on the ends of 
the elements served to keep the water inside.  The loading coil is wound 
on a hollow tube.  That allows water to collect inside the loading coil 
- not good at all.  I plugged the hole at the X-hat, drilled some weep 
holes and removed the element end caps.  I did insert some stainless pot 
scrubber material in the ends of the elements.

I also didn't like the sparks jumping from the reflector to the boom 
when lightning was close, so I grounded the reflector to the boom.  The 
only thing that changes is the resonant frequency of the boom, which 
could be a consideration for interaction with other antennas.

I think the boom to mast clamp could stand some improvement also.

Jerry, K4SAV

On 3/15/2014 7:39 AM, Wayne Kline wrote:
> I have had Both of the antennas  ...The hi  Gain Dis-2 is a good antenna   the linear loading wires are problematic
> if you live in a ICE area... I lost mine two times..... The Original  CD40  had a number of issues .
> The XM240 is miles  ahead of the original 2 element  antenna.  Mine has been up two years  and three heavy ice storms.      The W6NL Maxon mod improves an already good antenna
>
> The weak spot on the XM240 is the boom to mast clamp... IMO   I re-drilled the  plate for two High gain blocks
>
> Wayne W3EA
>
>
>> Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 05:51:58 -0400
>> From: n1rj at roadrunner.com
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Discoverer 7-2 or Cushcraft xm-240
>>
>> My choice would be the XM-240 with the W6NL Moxon modifications.
>> Much better F/B and bandwidth.
>>
>> 73, Roger
>>
>>
>> On 3/15/2014 12:49 AM, Glenn Pritchard wrote:
>>> Hi guys
>>>
>>> Have been pondering this over for a couple of months.
>>> In the past my monobander for 40 has been KLM, however it's time to replace
>>> this antenna and currently the antenna is down.
>>> Question is, which of the two 40 meter yagis has the better track record?
>>> I have never seen the hy-gain up close but the performance was pretty good
>>> for a linear loaded system and the gov't had them for monitoring stations
>>> in Canada.
>>> As for the xm240, not sure.
>>>
>>> Just looking for some input from those that may have experience with either
>>> of these antennas.
>>>
>>> Tnx,
>>>
>>> Glenn, VE6ND
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>