Cushcraft R8 on a windy day

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ham radio
• amateur radio
• antenna
• cushcraft
• r8

[FliPOutBro]

how long ago was this made this is amazing!!!!!

[fleabagski]

@FliPOutBro The video was taken about October 2008, the antenna still isn't guyed and it still moves around like that - no problems so far, :-)

[zLOSTNOMOREz]

How does this work compared to other antennas? Thanks.

[fleabagski]

@zLOSTNOMOREz Sorry for the delayed response,I can't really offer any comparison to any other vertical HF antenna because this is the only one I've used since getting my ticket.I can vouch for its toughness,it's been moving around like that for over three years and its still going strong although I do need to take it down for inspection, not for any performance problems but I've noticed the cockatoos chewing the rubber boots on the traps so I want to see what damage the little buggers have done.

[vu3scd]

Hi Fleabagski,

Thanks mate for prompt reply from your end.

Ham's friends around me tell that R8 won't work in my environment primary because I live on 4th floor of a Building and mount R8 on a roof of the building won't yield any good results (DX and Stuff).

So I am little confused on to buy R8 or not. Please advice.

Regards,

Sumit (VU3SCD)

[fleabagski]

@vu3scd I have my R8 mounted up on a 6m pole. The antenna is grounded via 10mm cable attached to a 1m copper stake hammered into the ground. I don't use HF all that much but I have made successful contacts to Europe, USA and Asia using the R8 on 20m & 40m using only 100W. I can't advise you on your particular installation since I'm far from an expert on these things but the only reason I chose the R8 was because of the number of HF bands this antenna allows me to operate on.

Stephan VK3GTR

[fleabagski]

@vu3scd Hi. I'm really happy with the performance of this antenna. Only comment I can make is to be careful with assembly, pay close attention to the lengths specified on the instructions. I did make a mistake but the manufacturers support is quite good and they supplied some measurements to check which identified the problem.

[vu3scd]

Hi Fleabagski, I'm planning to buy one for myself , can you give me feedback on this antenna on its performance;

[fleabagski]

@proct0r Yeah I know, its on my list of things to do before the windy weather we get here in spring. To the manufacturers credit, this antenna has survived some ripper storms in the two years its been installed. SWR on all bands is still spot-on. Now if I could only find a way to stop the cockatoos landing on the upper radials...hmmm

Stephan VK3GTR

[proct0r]

You should really guy it near the middle. It helps a lot with my R5.