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write your own review of the Buckmaster 7 Band, 3KW, OCF Dipole Antenna.
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PA3GPP
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 23, 2010 07:59
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Super rugged antenna,but....
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Hello,i bought the 8 band 3 kW OCF in dec 2009 and installed it as told in the manual(height approx 40 ft)and WOW!!what a very long antenna it is!!and what a reception of the signals!!it receives great ,but....transmits also ok,except that i had a very HIGH SWR on 160,80,20 meter band,i experiment with several antenna positions,inverted v,l-mounted,and flattop(best results)finally i add a coax RF choke(12 turns RG 213UBX diameter 7"abt 1 ft below the 1:6 balun)and that gives a lot better SWR results!!but still the coax cable(new rg 213 ubx military grade)is very sensitive for surroundings(metal tower,fences,buildings)when you reroute the coax the swr is then ok(better than 1:1.8 over entire bands except 160 meters,you still have to use a ext ant.tuner.)anyway this antenna works great if your area conditions are metal free!!(at least 20ft away from the antenna)
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W6LOL
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 16, 2010 11:38
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Remember to use your review filter...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I find the price reasonable, for a high-quality 135' antenna AND a high power balun. YMMV.
I love my 3kW OCF; and it would be a strong contender if I could have only ONE antenna, regardless of price.
My small criticisms:
1. VSWR expectations and the potential need for a tuner could be explained better, and with a bit less optimism.
2. Instructions should include a discussion of the (unbalanced) feedline, the need for choke balun(s), and how to place them correctly.
3. An ability to tune element lengths, a least a little, would be very welcome.
4. One of the knock-off designs includes a fan OCF element to cover 30m and 15m. How about a deluxe model with this feature, Buckmaster?
I'll weigh in with a more detailed review, if and when I can find the time. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying my OCF... a lot!
Good DX and 73, Ed, W6LOL
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KE4EX
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Rating: 3/5
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Jan 16, 2010 05:19
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save your money
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Over two years in operation, good multiband.
If you don't have the real-estate for a multi dipole or inverted Vee's then yes buy one HOWEVER, there are cheaper ones around.
I would build a fan dipole before buying another.
Buckmaster is built well but over prices.
I have ran a dipole and inverted Vee on 80 and 40
A basic wire antenna will give you a stronger signal but you'll need the room. My test antennas were separated by 50 yards running at 35 feet, running RG 213 (RG8).
73 ke4ex
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W3ALX
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 15, 2009 19:59
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Great Multi-Band Antenna!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This antenna has proven to be a great multi-band wire. I have no need for a tuner except on 15 and 160 meters along with the far upper portion of 10 meters. Will load up fine on 160 meters with a good tuner like the Palstar AT2K. All other bands are 1.7 to 1 or better. As stated by many, the build quality is excellent in the 3kw model. The tech support is also excellent. They were more than willing to spend time on the phone to answer all of my install questions.
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N6LY
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 5, 2009 15:32
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Works great!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I threw up this antenna into a tree at my family cabin up in Arnold, CA last weekend for the CQP contest (Oct 3,4 2009). I got it about 30 feet up and was able to reach all across the U.S., Germany, Slovenia, Australia running only 100W with no effort even in this horrible sunspot lul.
The internal tuner on my TS-2000 handled every band advertised with ease. I added a Unadilla W2DU Current choke about six feet below the balun just for good measure.
The MFJ analyzer closely matched what was advertised on the hamcall website.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
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W2FBS
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 4, 2009 05:54
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Better Than Expected
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I put the 7 band version up about 6 months ago to replace a Carolina Windom that failed. It has worked great except for the fact that I could not get the SWR on 75 meters down to the levels mentioned in the Buckmaster literature.
Just yesterday I replaced the old coax, which was two pieces of 213/U spliced with a double female UHF connector, with a new 125 foot length of 213. Wow, what a difference a good feed line makes! The SWR is below 1.3 to 1 on the entire 75 meter band and below 1.3 to 1 on 40 meters. It even loads up on 60 meters with just the tuner in the Pro 3.
I have always had great reports with this antenna, now I have great SWR. The lesson? Change your coax every few years.
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N2DY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 6, 2009 18:29
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Works Great
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is my second review, having owned the 7 band antenna for a couple of years now. I have put the full legal limit through the antenna for extended periods of time and it just takes it. I do not use a tuner with it and it works perfectly on all advertised bands. I have mine mounted roughly as a flat top around 45 feet up.
I am confused by the previous reviewer who noted that his 6-bander does not tune on 75M. The 6 band model is not designed to work on 75M. Perhaps I am misunderstanding his complaint.
Anyway, I cannot be any happier with this antenna. It gets me on all the HF bands that I like with a relatively low profile and good performance.
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TODD5251
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 12, 2009 10:59
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Great antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Put the antenna up about ten feet off the ground for a trial run before I permanently mount it.Hit Austria second call 20 meters.Vswr not bad at all at 10 feet.All reports stateside were 5/9.I cant wait to get it installed according to the directions.
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N9ZA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 10, 2009 12:24
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Versatile in more ways than one
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Time owned: months
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I recently purchased the 7-band version and departed from the recommended inverted V configuration (tree displacements,the arbiters), and strung it up in a V pattern with the heavy balun dangling free 7 feet above the ground.
In this free-of-attachment arrangement, the heavy balun acts like a bungee cord in leveling out the stress when the wind blows - elimating the need to have actual bungee cords at each end of the OCF to equalize stress.
This arrangement also jettisons the need for a 30 to 40 foot vertical tie-and-feed point close to shack entrance.
But what about the SWR numbers in a "rabbit ears" configuration, do they match the inverted V numbers? They sure do. The Palstar ZM30 analyzer even up the score when it comes to the numbers.
All in all, the Buckmaster OCF with its solid construction and weighty balun, plus its top perforance, makes this one versatile antenna.
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IRABREN
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 20, 2009 15:54
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Very Good Quality
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is a pricey - but very high quality antenna. I have the 6 band; 300 watt version. It will tune(with a palstar AT1-KP Tuner ) - 6-80 m.
I can talk on 80m with some added 200w of power.
The best thing is the small size for my lot (50X100) - I have it hanging from a nail - at top of chimney - angle of 120 degrees and apex about 30 ft high.
It is a very good performer for only 30 ft. The balun and wire are very high quality. They ship fast. 1 leg is only 20 + feet and the other is 40+ feet. I have the legs elevated 10ft with painter's push up poles at the fences. I am very happy with it for what it is. It is great improvement over my HS-1800 screwdriver ( on a tripod with 12 above ground radials ). It doesn't take up much space.
It is in back of house, low footprint, I just hope the HOA will allow it.
For those in my situation - I highly recommend it !. If you have more room - get the 7 band 3KW version.
73 and Good Luck, Ira, KE5STP
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