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| Reviews Summary for Cushcraft AP8A |
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Reviews: 8
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Average rating: 2.6/5
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MSRP: $(missing—add MSRP)
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Description: Multiband Trapped Vertical
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Cushcraft AP8A.
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K5MO
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 28, 2008 05:58
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Typical performance for vertical
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had mine in the woods here in NC for 7 yrs with no problems. It was unguyed and I had no mechanical issues. Performance was on a par with most reduced height verticals, but I worked a fair amount of DX with it. I DID have a lot of radials...probably in the 60-80 count range. Like ANY vertical, the quality of the performance depends on the radial plane you present.
As far as bandwidth goes, again, it's no better or worse than say, a 14AVQ or any other smallish vertical. It was fascinating to watch the 2:1 bandwidth shrink as I added radials. For short verticals, increased bandwidth means lowered Q, which means loss. If the bandwidth is narrow , it's (in THIS situation) likely a GOOD thing, and means your antenna and ground system is working as well as can be.
I ran upwards of 700 watts PEP from time to time, with no ill effect. I did NOT try and run this level of power with the antenna off resonance (as in through a tuner) and never experienced a breakdown. Never had a water or moisture problem either .
I like my 4 element yagi better, but for someone with limited space, and only an afternoon to devote to installation, this is a good value... 8 bands on one coax.
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KA3TKZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 4, 2007 10:34
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Very Good Vertical
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this antenna in use for over 10 years, with and without radials. The antenna is mounted on pvc pipe 10 feet off the ground with no radials. I have destroyed pileups on the first call many times. The antenna holds up to 1500 watts with NO, NO problems! I have no complaints with this vertical.
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K7UNZ
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Rating: 2/5
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Oct 6, 2005 07:46
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Not the best in the West
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I too found the only redeeming quality to this antenna was it's feedpoint base section. After several months of poor to fair operation, I returned to Butternut. However, the AP-8 lower section remains, as it was a perfect fit for the Butternut HF-9V, and eliminated the one weakness I always disliked about the Butternuts. So, I now have a Butternut that has a coax fitting at the feed point instead of the stock screws/coil arrangement.
Works fine, and this arrangement has been perking along for a bit over 10 years. Best of both worlds!
Had used several Cushcraft antennas prior to the AP-8, and still have their WARC bands only model in the garage. However, the AP-8 was such a downer, I went back to Butternut, and have been a happy fellah ever since.
Oh yeah, as already mentioned, it did make an excellent wind direction indicator when it was up!
Jim/k7unz
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K2BK
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Rating: 0/5
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Oct 6, 2005 05:46
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A low point in Cushcraft's efforts !!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This replacement to the fine and robust AV3-4-5 series of verticals is a limp effort at best.
The trap parts are tiny, and the coils are covered in heat shrink wrap.
I smoked mine at 400 watts RTTY - replaced the damaged trap and the antenna broke in a mild wind storm.
I used the base section (same as the AV5 - VERY strong) to build a monoband vertical with parts left over from the damaged AP8A.
Paul - K2BK
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OK1RR
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Rating: 1/5
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Sep 8, 2004 17:51
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Flimsy
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The traps are very flimsy. They stated out that AP8A is rated for 2 KW. HA HA HA! Burned out with 700 watts. Within years all traps fried out, both capacitors and inductors. Noted also narrow bandwidth. I would appreciate detailed trap description with L/C data for my own heavier design.
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N3HSH
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Rating: 2/5
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Jul 12, 2002 13:40
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Average Performer. Flimsy Construction. Narrow Bandwidth.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This antenna is flimsy and therefore must be guyed well to withstand any type of wind. One of the traps was out of resonance from the factory and I had to call tech support to resovle the problem (which they quickly did).
The usuable bandwidth is very narrow on all bands unless you use a tuner.
I replaced this antenna with a GAP Titan and find the GAP to perform much better and be better constructed with a much greater usuable bandwidth.
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KF3CW
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Rating: 4/5
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May 26, 2001 15:15
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Very Pleased with this vertical
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had my AP8A for over 3 years. It is chimney mounted about 18 feet above the ground. I have about 10 random length radials run thru my attic and 5 radials on the roof. I have had VERY GOOD results with the antenna. It does sway a lot in the wind and has taken on a bow due to prevailing winds but performance has not suffered. Because of my installation and perhaps not using the Cushcraft radial kit, my SWR's are greater than 1.5. However the antenna has worked great with my Ten Tec Omni 6+ and the LDG Autotuner as well as my Icom 746 with its built in autotuner. Have always gotton good signal reports and busted thru some hefty pileups.
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WB7QXU
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Rating: 3/5
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May 17, 2001 09:01
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Not the best
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I had one of these antenna's It was ok, It did work well on 80m. On the other bands it was ok, But needed Radial to even hope to work. I put radials on all bands and the antenna was A good performer, but the construction was not the best. It was week, and flimsey. The fiberglass was not the best or the strongest. It sagged. I needed to use guy wires to keep it straight. It did seem to sway a lot in the wind, However it did stay up. Unless it is ground mounted with at least 2 radial per band it will not work. There are better antenna's out there for the money. Performance was exceptable, but the contruction could have been better. better performer than the R4, and R7000
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