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| Reviews Summary for Cushcraft 13B2 |
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You can
write your own review of the Cushcraft 13B2.
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KZ3X
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 26, 2007 17:16
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Works Well
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had this antenna for over 10 years and have not had any problems with it. I live in a high wind area and have not had any damage since it has been installed. Ditto for any ice damage, this antenna is built to last. It also helped me to achieve VUCC on 2 meters.
Using no more than 350 watts, I have used this antenna to work well over 100 grid squares. The antenna has performed well during tropo, e-skip, or meteor scatter openings.
I tilt over the tower about once a year to make sure all of the 13B2 connections are tight and have never had to do much more than a slight snug on the brackets, etc.
SWR has always been near perfect. For the folks who had problems matching the xcvr to the antenna, I wonder if you ever checked the obvious things that you may have done wrong during assembly.
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WS2L
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 5, 2007 08:11
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Great antenna
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I purchased the 13B2 several months ago when I became interested in working 2 meter SSB & CW. The package arrived and was able to assemble the antenna in just under one hour, the instructions were very simple to follow as compared to some other antennas I have assembled over the years.
Once I put the antenna up in the air I operated in the June VHF contest and was very impressed with some of the signal reports I received and the amount and distance some of the grids I worked. The SWR I found to be 1.1:1 across the entire 2 meter band which surprised me, I did not need to make any adjustments at all.
I'm now toying with the idea of getting another 13B2 and stacking the two of them together. If the results I am seeing with just one antenna I can only imagine what the results will be with two of them phased together.
I highly recommend this antenna to anyone looking for a simple to assemble high performance yagi for 2 meters. I have only used the antenna in the horizontal position but it can be mounted vertically. I can only imagine how well the 13B2 would work on FM simplex in the vertical position.
This is one great antenna and it is worth every penny.
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K5VY
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 25, 2006 05:12
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I'm on my 6th 13B2!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've been using the Cushcraft 13B2, in various combinations and polarities, for over 8 years. The earlier models used a conventional gamma match and the later models have a "match box".. both work well, the gamma was easier to set up. I've moved around a lot and the antennas came and went. I've used the MFJ 2 meter tuner on low power (<200 watts). My present 13B2 was a gift from a ham in Houston who said "It just don't work right..." I strapped it to the top of my SUV and drove it to my QTH fully assembled. (Slow drive) Set it up the next day, vertical polarity, 1.2:1 SWR on 147.6 FM and never looked back. First contact logged 122 miles away using 120 watts. This Spring, God and my bank account willing, I'm going to put up a pair of 13B2's in vertical polarity using Cushcraft's kit for that purpose about 72' high. I can't come up with a good reason for trying another brand.
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KC0WNY
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Rating: 1/5
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Oct 16, 2006 11:33
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High SWR
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Have been unable to Get the SWR down to a reasonable level on most frequencys, I used new LMR400 flex coax. I have adjusted till I am worn out, nothing seems to help.
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KE9K
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 27, 2006 20:19
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GREAT SSB ANTENNA !
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Use this antenna for 2 meter ssb, and it works just great. Very low swr (1.0 to 1 ) on 144.000 to 145.000. It's been up for 10 years at 65 feet and works just like the day I put it up. Joe ke9k
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K5YC
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Rating: 2/5
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Jan 9, 2006 16:39
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NOT WORTH THE MONEY
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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WAS given this antenna from a friend. Mounted it 58 ft on top of tower to use on SSB. Trying
tO work stations 110 miles from me was a pain.
Performance very poor. Wife gave me a M2 2m12
for Christmas. What a difference! Much better
quality and signal. Maybe if 13b2 was redesigned with M2 specs it may work ok. But
for me the M2 is the way to go.
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GRIF80128
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 20, 2005 16:52
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My first beam-Great!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Remarks: Let's see-extremely long term user's are unanimous that the 13b2 is a great antenna. Hmmmm-who am I going to listen to? One reports out of three 13b2s-one had an anamoly with a solder joint-no other reports of quality issues. Flimsy? I bought mine used from EBay. That means two owners and the post office have had shots at it! It's survived two windstorms that folded 30' masts-my guying learning curve was slow. Couple of bent elements-hand straightened w/no problems. (6M3 on top also survived well.) Cushcraft vs. M2 vs. ? , whatever lights your fire. Find something you like and use it. I use the 13b2 for SSB/horizontal w/low SWR & great reception over a vertical. It's my first yagi, this is my first report and I hope in ten years to give an update. This spring when the tower goes up-it will on top for 2m work!
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WB6MYL
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 6, 2005 08:49
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Works fine
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Such a dicotomy of opinions and experiences; don't know why; this antenna has been up for eight years and has worked well w/ low SWR; using it vertically and never had problem working distant 2M repeater and simplex stations.
Regards, Phillip W. Harris, PhD.J.D.P.C.
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K8EO
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 6, 2005 05:41
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Very satisfied
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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A definite improvement in signal when compaired to the 10 element beam that it replaced at my QTH. Very easy to tune, and its absolutely flat at 144.200. Well worth it.
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5B4AFQ
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Rating: 2/5
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Sep 5, 2005 23:08
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Very disapointed
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Tuned on the US bands , SWR not in an acceptable level on 144.100MHZ. Bought this antenna to use on vertical polarisation accessing distant repeaters , but generaly im disapointed on performance , swr patern.
5B4AFQ
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