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| Reviews Summary for Cushcraft D3W |
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Reviews: 11
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $$225
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Description: WARC band rotatable dipole
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More info: http://Cushcraft.com
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You can
write your own review of the Cushcraft D3W.
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W0BKR
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Rating: 4/5
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May 12, 2008 10:42
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A little QC needed
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Rcvd my D3W the other day and installed it. Not to hard to work with or install but a few nits.
1. THe holes for the feedpoint in the inner elements had serious burrs in them which required sanding/deburring in order to get the insulated sleeve installed.
2. Antenna to Mast U-Bolts are way too long. The U-Bolts stick out right near the feedpoint screws which may be an issue for hook up of coax or balun. Mine worked out okay but still, too close to the U-Bolts.
3. Element cable clamps. The ones for the far ends of the antenna are way to big in diameter. Need a smaller size.
Pros:
1. Easy to install and relatively easy to assemble.
2. Some extra parts (i.e. nuts, washers, etc) which is always welcome.
3. SWR was low on all bands except 17Meters where is is above 1.5:1. Can live with that.
TO adjust, you need to move the proper element(s) and then get it back into the air to check. Kind of a pain, but well worth it.
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N0AH
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 5, 2008 22:53
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Exceptional performance out-weighs headaches
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I wasn't sure about 30M with this antenna with all of the tuning problems. But tonight, I really put the antenna to the test while working and then listening to 6W1SJ for 30 minutes of observations. The time was 03:50Z-04:20Z 6 APR 08.
Here are the following results:
Degree Heading........Average S-Units:
0.....................8-9
30....................7-8
60....................4-5
90....................7-8
120...................7-8
150...................9-10
180...................5-9
210...................5-7
240...................1-3
270...................3-5
300...................9-10
330 5-9
According to http://www.k7no.com/ham.html, the beam heading from my exact QTH to this general location is 303 degrees. Having the dipole positioned parallel to this heading was great news when I found out this was the proper heading.
It has taken awhile to get use to the antenna on the rotor but it is really performing well. The band was very stable at the time I recorded these results.
6W is 7,170 miles from my QTH-
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OE6MDF
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 12, 2008 03:17
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Works great!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Since I installed my D3W 3 years ago, my wkd DXCCs on the WARC bands increased rapidly (I used only non rotable wire antennas before).
I have not expected too much from the antenna on 30m, but my expectations are exceeded totally. Especially on 30+17m. Mounted only 1m above the A3S with 40m add on kit.
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LA9BM
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Rating: 5/5
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May 4, 2007 06:24
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Super antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is not a monster beam but a very good small antenna. Have been using a delta loop before and I could hear the different when connecting the D3W to my rig. Signal was stronger and it was more 'punch' in the bands. My first QSO on this antenna was BS7H after days of calling (delta loop). Antenna is mounted only 2 1/2 feet above the yagi and in paralell to the boom of the yagi for less interfernce. The recommended coil was not successful. A 1:1 balun works much better but SWR is a bit high on 10 Mhz (too close to the yagi?).
If you can't put up a big antenna, the D3W is a good choice.
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OE5CSP
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 19, 2007 02:22
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Happy
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought this antenna for 150 Euro and mounted it 2m above my FB33 beam.SWR is fine except 12m-havenīt found out why, maybe a broken trap.This antenna performs very well and Iīve worked some great dx.It has survived a few heavy storms and very cold winters with lots if snow and Iīd definitely buy it again.
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K0KES
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 22, 2006 19:10
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Excellent!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I mounted the D3W about three feet above my KLM KT34A which is at 60 FT. Wow is all I can say the antenna works much better than I could have emagined,It is directive and at that height it out performs my full wave loop by at least 3 to 4 s-units and is quieter on receive. It is an excellent value for the money and appears to be well built. I feed mine thru a balun rather than the coil of coax recomended by CushCraft.Get one you will love it!!!
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OE3SGU
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 15, 2006 10:51
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Not bad
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Installed one years ago just 1 m above the beam and it really performed very well on the WARC-bands. Some directivity is they key to wipe out noise, would buy again.
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YO3VU
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 7, 2006 20:15
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Buy it
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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It is a great antenna which does it's job and would not let you down. Instead of the coax coil buy an balun 1:1 and will be better. Worked VU4 on 12 17 and 30m with only 200W. It took just first call in 30m rtty and VU4 in the bag.
73' from Mike in Bucharest
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AB4D
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 2, 2006 20:21
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Great Attic Stealth Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I used Cushcraft's D3 and D3W during my exodus into an HOA controlled area. These antennas were just what I needed to get on the air without having to mount them outside. I successfully mounted a D3 and D3W in my attic which was about 35 feet by 50 feet. I just assembled the antennas in the attic in a straight line fashion and hung them from the roof trusses with a 2X4 and used nylon ties to keep the elements level, with one antenna on each side of the attic. Tuning was a little difficult because of tight spaces, but the plus side is you don't have to really tighten the elements too snug because there are no weather or wind issues. My only suggestions for this configuration is to get all the antennas in place before you tune to avoid any interaction you may get from adding an antenna later, and if necessary, use a tunable counterpoise system if your on an upper floor to minimize any stray RF, and use as little power as necessary. On the air I got good reports and many Ops were shocked to learn that I was using attic mounted antennas. If you check the logs for some of the ARRL's DX phone contests during the years for 2001-2003, under my call, you will see the results of using these antennas and a 150 foot wire loop in my logs for a couple of contests, but keep in mind that I am not a very good contester. I rated this antenna a five because of the versatilty, construction is outstanding, and in my opinion, performance is very good for a trap dipole.
Jim/AB4D
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K9EL
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 12, 2005 17:06
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Excellent
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I wanted a better antenna on 30m than my Inv vee. I wrote to Cushcraft and asked about modifying their 40m rotatable dipole for 30m. Ed Hammond sent me the manual for the 40m unit, but suggested I look at the D3W. He claimed I would get good 30m performance, plus the benefit of 12 and 17 as well. I also wrote to another manufacturer, but never received a reply. I went with Ed's recommendation and ordered the D3W. I installed it between my Tri-bander and my 2 el 40m yagi. It is light enough that I could do final assembly and erection at the top of the tower. I am very impressed with the performance of the antenna and very happy that I listened to Ed. If you need to get on the WARC bands and want to do it with little windload and an easy installation, then this antenna is for you. It is many dB above my inv vee. I highly recommend the D3W.
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