|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the Cushcraft X-7.
|
K0MD
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 13, 2006 13:47
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great antenna, rugged performer
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I bought the X-7 in October 1998 and have used it at two locations. It performs very well. I am amazed at its low SWR, its performance on the high bands and my ability to break pile ups with it. It is my third Yagi - I had a Wilson System 33 and a Mosley Yagi prior to the X-7.
It survives the winters of Minnesota without difficulty and I liked it so much I recommended it to a friend in town who now has one. I was concerned during the move in 2003 it would be damaged as I was not present for the move. I have not encountered any problems.
I regret not buying the X-9 as I am so impressed with the x-7.
|
|
AB4D
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 2, 2006 19:47
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great value if you can over look the QC problems
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I purchased an X-7 with the 40 meter kit back in 1998, I used the antenna for about a year, but a move to an HOA controlled development forced me to sell the antenna. Nevertheless, during that period of time, and once I fixed the balun, the antenna performed great with many DX Q's getting into my log, rejection was great. When I first assembled the antenna the SWR's were high on all bands, the culprit was traced to the balun, which upon inspection revealed that the ferrite core must had been shattered during shipping/handling. A call to Cushcraft's customer service brought a new balun to me within a few days. The mechnical construction is outstanding, during the 98-99 winter we had an ice storm which coated everything with 3/4 inch + layer of ice, but the antenna survived with no problems, and all the elements completely straightend out after the ice melted. On the air the antenna worked great with good rejection and gain. Even when running a 100 watts, and the X7 at only 45 feet, I noticed that it wasn't too hard to get though the pile ups and snag Q's from stations that were obviously running legal limit. I have moved again and can now put up a decent antenna system. Therefore, based on past experience, I will probably end up with another X7 or maybe a used X9.
Jim/AB4D
|
|
KC5R
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 9, 2006 16:59
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Better than it looks
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
Bought the antenna from R&L. I put it together in 2 days (1 day I put all of the elements/boom together, and the next I mounted the elements to the boom and hooked up the feed assembly). Bad news - yes, Cushcraft has still a few QC/ISO issues. First the specs are not clear on the gain (look at the 40 mtr add-on specs). Second, one of the fiberglass insulators was "undrilled" (I had to do it). Finally, the balun bracket was assembled backwards by Cushcraft which required me to open it up, de-solder a connector, reverse the mount, and re-solder/assemble.
However, here's why it gets a "5" - after all of that and putting it on the tower at 75', it kicks butt. Even with a tuner on 12/17m, it cuts the mustard. The SWR is great throughout 10,15,20. This is better than an A4 and for the size you cant beat it. Let's face it, the time spent drilling and a dab of solder is nothing compared to the time you'll save in the pile-up. Too bad they don't make an X9 anymore.
Last comment. Tape the trap plastic to keep them from cracking and re-tighten the elements and brackets after a few days to ensure a snug fit. both pieces of advise (which are from others) is a good deal.
|
|
WA4ET
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 4, 2006 08:57
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Still happy after 3 years
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Best antenna I ever had. I have had this one up for over 3 years, at 2 different qth's, and it still is a fine antenna. Built like a tank, and is second to no one when you compare it to others. I think force12 could learn a thing or to, when it comes to this antenna, and I was not the only one who thought that.. CushCraft designed a fine antenna. It's really what I would call a hybrid Log antenna. It's log driven driver section is optimized by tunes elements for 10,15,20. No traps to burn out, and It tunes edge to edge, flat as a board. You can easily squeak 12&17 meters in with a little tuner. This is an excellent intermediate size antenna, that really puts out, and receives well also. I never heard a VU before I put this antenna up, the first week or two, I must have put a half dozen in the log.
You might do better, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a better antenna in it’s class
|
|
VE2JKA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 30, 2006 09:19
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Fine Antenna
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Hello everyone
Previous to the x7 I was using a Mosley 6 band 7 element beam. In comparison the x7 kicked the Mosley's ass both were at a height of 70' on a self support trylon tower the Mosley weight in at 120 Lbs wile the x7 was half the weight at 60 lbs.
My 8 year experience with the x7 was an awesome one since day one when the Mosley came down and the x7 went up the tower there was a very noticeable difference in noise level and signals alike my ts-870 came to life I was able to hear the slightest audio with no signal on 20 meters. SWR was incredible on all three bands although not designed for 18 & 24 MHz I was working these bands with a SWR of 2:1.
This antenna made me get rid of my tuners my setup was simple ts-870 + Al-1500 @ 2KW+rock and roll.. BTW I did push 3KW P.E.P. in to the x7 many times over and never had any problems.
The antenna survived winds of 60 to 70 miles per hour many harsh winters and 1 really bad ice storm. Unfortunately I had to take her down for cosmetic reasons since we renovated our home and I'm now waiting for the cushcraft minibeam to put up in her place will report on that one as soon as she's up and running.
In conclusion after a long 8 years this antenna got me around the world many many times with always s9+'s coming my way. Great buy worth the 1K cdn funds I paid at the time.
|
|
N9MWL
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 3, 2005 15:53
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
works great !!!!
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
HI I LIKE TO SAY THE X7 BY CUSHCRAFT.. IS VERRY IMPRESSIVE... DID LOTS OF COMPARING TO MY FULL WAVE WIRE UP 30 FEET WELL IT DEFINALLY 100% BETTER.. HEARS STATIONS THAT THE WIRE DOESNT....I DID REPLACE THE ALUMINUM TUNNING STRAPS WITH COPPER ONES...UNDERSTANDING COPPER IS A BETTER CONDUCTER THAT ALUMINUM..
|
|
W6YDE
|
Rating: 2/5
|
Nov 10, 2004 17:42
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
High swr over 5 to 1
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Purchased X7 from AES, traps were broken in box from shipping. Sent for new ones, but they shipped them to the wrong person. I now have X7 up at 40 feet with replacement traps and the SWR's are out of sight. Over 6 to 1 swr at 0 to 20 ohms. Called and e-mailed Cushcraft about the problem... could it be the 4 to 1 balun? No answer, no e-mail. They say on the telephone when you call Cushcraft that they get back to you in one day on e-mails and no more that 3 days on telephones call. I am still waiting!!! Finally went to another antenna manufacture and picked a new 4 to 1 balun. I will try it in the next few days. This is my last Cushcraft antenna.. if they can't get back to you, what good is it?
-------
I would like to complete my last review of Cushcraft's X7. Cushcraft did get back to me via a personal telephone call from a gentleman named ED. We talked for about a 1/2 hour, about all the problems I was having with the X7. I went ahead and replaced Cushcraft's supplied balun with the newly purchased 4 to 1 balun from M2 in Fresno Ca. The X7 worked great, low SWR on all bands and 1.7 at the top of 10m. Made several tests/contacts and was very happy with the signal reports.
|
|
VE3BUC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 30, 2004 16:20
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Revisited after 1 year
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have had the X7 up for over a year now and have had absolutely no problems with it. In contesting it has consistently beaten any of my previous scores even though the sunspots are not cooperating. Have only used low power but it often feels like I'm running power judging by the comments received from the other end.
BTW, I am now operating with a new call VE3XD since late 2003.
|
|
N9MWL
|
Rating: 2/5
|
Apr 30, 2004 14:21
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
missing parts
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
HI ABOUT THE CUSH CRAFT X7 BEAM....GOOD LUCK ON GETTING ALL THE PARTS... THE TUNING STRAPS WERE MISSING WENT TO LOCAL HARD WARE STORE..FOUND WHAT I NEEDED.....COST ABOUT 30$.....CONTIACTED CUSH CRAFT ABOUT THE MISSING PARTS AS OF NOW 5 WEEKS LATER NO WORD!!!! SO NOW ITS READY TO GO ON 40 FOOT TOWER ..I HOPE WHEN YOU BUY YOURS YOU GET ALL THE PARTS THE INSTRUCTIONS CALL FOR...THATS PRETTY SAD HUH... AFTER PAYING NEARLY 700$..........SO HOPEFULLY IT WORK OK......GOOD LUCK.....N9MWL
|
|
F6GIB
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 15, 2003 07:28
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
my opinion
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Hello,
Probably the best antenna i never had.
I tried in the past other directives, like dj2ut (unstable), ta33, th3, but this antenna is really the best. Nice improvement in my dxcc score, and i lost my tl 922 !!
Needs only the right time for mounting, exactly and precisely take the good length as described in the manual, and no problem: swr curves follows the theorical, mesured with an aea analyser (an other good - very good) product. Antenne is mounted here on a telescopic tower, 60 feets, and works fine for more than 3 years.
If you can, test it, you will be surprised
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
