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write your own review of the Cushcraft R-7.
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KE3WH
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Rating: 2/5
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May 9, 2011 11:52
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Too much maintenance
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had this up for a few years. Replaced traps 3-4 times. Running only 100 watts, so not a QRO issue.
Eventually the traps were bending, and causing instability. So down it came. I gave it away as I had no plan to raise it again.
Its performance while in operating order was great.
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ON4LDU
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Rating: 5/5
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May 9, 2011 11:28
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Very good antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have my R7 since 1998, move it 2 Qth's and still alive !
I've bought it secondhand and worked about 280 DXCC's with it.
Now she's little older but sure can survive 5 years more.
The signals are not so strong, but always worked.
In 40 meters, she gave me total surprise with 180 countries confirmed.
Great antenna, if you can find one, take it !
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VE3TMT
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 19, 2011 06:04
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Excellent vertical
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I used one for years at 15' before finally getting a tower and beam. I still miss it. The beam is nice but the R7 worked very well.
I posted a review here a few years ago but I see it is gone. I guess eHam deletes user reviews at their own discretion.
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KG4COQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 18, 2011 22:43
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Great !!!!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Have had this antenna for a couple of years. First location had it 3 ft above ground. 40 meters was very hard to set to the voice section of the band. Was only able to get SWR on 40 down to 1.7 to 1 in the middle. All other bands fell into place very nicely. Most contacts S-7 or higher all bands. Worked well on 6 meters too.
Now I have it mounted on a tripod with a 10 ft. pole on top of my 12 ft. high carport roof. 40 fell into place real nice as did all other bands as did 6 meters again.
Also have a R-8 Vert. which worked well at the first location but not as well as the R-7 and was mounted 3 ft. off the ground as well. If you find a R-7 this is a great antenna,ENJOY IT !!
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K6SDW
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 14, 2010 18:44
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Seriously!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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We took R7 camping over the weekend in Northern California and honestly I was seriously in doubt this thing would actually perform...well....after putting a used R7 in the air ten feet off the ground first station my friend Norm worked was a ham in Paris, France on 15 mtrs............DAMN!! He continued to knock 'em out 40/20 and 15....not bad for a compromised antenna and I was seriously impressed!!
73
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W3PYF
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Rating: 3/5
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Dec 28, 2009 19:53
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OK if you can't swing radials
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Most reviews are on a specific product - but in the case of verticals, one is right to ask, "compared to what?" That's especially true with the R7.
I can't remember exactly why I bought my R7 about 15 years ago - probably because it looked like an easy antenna to use on Field Day, where it saw most of its use. For home use then in Larchmont, NY, I had a Butternut HF-6V, roof mounted, 3 radials/band, and it was terrific.
When I moved from Larchmont to CT, I had plenty of room for wire antennas, so gave away my Butternut to a club member who was down on his luck. I kept the R7 for possible portable use, because it's easy to pack and set up.
Then, in 2003, following a marriage breakup, I found myself in a small rented house in Lexington, MA with a tiny back yard, and tried using the R7 as a station antenna, ground mounted. It was very frustrating, even on CW. Signal reports were always only fair, although matching was always very good in the TS-420S I owned at the time.
Another unexpected move in 2006 had me move back to CT in a rented shoreline bungalow, where I mounted the R7 on a 10-foot pole outside the shack window. Again, good matching, not great reports. Frustrating.
About 3 months ago, I bought a somewhat battered Butternut HF-6V on Craig's List, fixed it up, and installed it just before the winter hit here in Stoneham, MA, to which I moved in mid-2008. I mounted the Butternut on a 5-foot section of Radio Shack mast driven about 2 feet into the ground, and strung 3 multiband radials about 3 feet off the ground, and 2 folded 80-meter radials at the same height. Nothing like Bencher recommends, but hey, maybe it would work.
Like the R7, I could tune the Butternut for the low end of 40, and get a 1.2:1 match, and a 1.2-1.5:1 match on 20, 15 and 10, no antenna tuner - just like the R7.
However, the difference in performance between the R7 and the Butternut wasn't close. The Butternut - even with a compromise radial system - gets great reports. First contact on 40 was with a station off the coast of Barcelona. I set the 80 meter coil on the Butternut for mid-band, so I need an antenna tuner at the ends - but jeez, the DX pours in on 80, and I work it with my barefoot TS-940S. I can't wait to get my old SB-200 working again!
Conclusion: The R7 is a fair antenna - but compared to what? You sacrifice a lot of performance for short length and no radials. I'd rate it no better than OK. Since it's no longer made, I'd suggest those looking for a vertical shop around for a Butternut - or buy one new. Yes, they're $400 new today - but if you want a multiband DX vertical, you don't want an R7.
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WA2OOB
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 28, 2009 03:10
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Excellent Antenna!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I wanted to add this review based on my personal experience with the R7. Ignore the few bad reviews you might see. This antenna is fabulous. I know the R7 is no longer made, but If you can get one used- in decent/serviceable condition- you will be pleased.
I purchased my R7 from the original owner in 1995. It is still going strong 3 QTHs and 14 years later! I moved it with minimal disassembly, and it has never needed a retune. The SWR has been stable throughout it's life- in fact, I just checked all bands and confirmed that. I have it on a 10' mast, and it still amazes me how reliable and effective an antenna it is. It has survived torrential rains, and horrific Santa Ana winds- one blow even knocked the mast over! That fall caused a bend in the R7 that was easily tweaked back into true, with no ill effects.
Of course, a low and stable SWR can also be attributed to a dummy load- but this antenna definitely gets RF out! It has allowed me to work the world with 100W. Generally, anything I can hear I can usually work with just a call or two.
The R7 is also easily serviced. There are several articles online regarding refurbishment of the traps if they develop faults. I have had no trap issues. I did have to service the easily-accessed impedance matching assembly and repair some oxidized solder joints.
Simple, effective, reliable, serviceable, small footprint, half-wave, no radials needed, 7 HF bands plus 6M (undocumented- but checks out with my MFJ analyzer)- what more could you ask for in a vertical antenna?
73 es gud dx!
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WB9YCJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 14, 2009 20:11
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13 years -still impressive
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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See my previous R7 review (here) from 2003. Then, I stated my R7 had been up 7 years. Well, now its been up 13 years, in great shape and still packing a 360 degree wallop in all directions - even on 6 meters (6M w/ antenna tuner).
Many of us prefer the R7 (R5) over the R8 since the R7 does not need guying, provides 40- 6M and is only 20 ft tall.
Many of us wish Cushcraft could came back out with the R7 or similiar in the 20 ft tall area.
Used R7 (R5) antennas are becoming price attractive enuf to buy a spare for parts, field day, etc. Have fun.
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W3WW
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 14, 2008 15:40
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Super Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After 12 years of service and 3 hurricane survivals, it still works perfect. I have it roof mounted several feet below a tri band yagi and a 40 meter dipole. I have it switchable and most of the time, not all, it will outperform the standard dipole on 40. It pulls a fairly close second on 10 through 20 as compared to the yagi mounted on a tower 30' higher. The SWRs are starting to climb after 12 years, but that can be expected. It must be time to dis-assemble and clean the connections. By the way, I am located about 1/4 mile west of the Indian River saltwater lagoon. That helps propagation and corrosion.
When this one hits the dust, I hope a new R8 works as well.
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