Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes
Reviews Home

Reviews For: Cushcraft R-6000

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Cushcraft R-6000
Reviews: 70MSRP: 310.00 (Street price)
Description:
6m, 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m; 3db gain; 1.2:1 typical; 19' tall
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.cushcraftamateur.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
14704
AA4WA Rating: 2023-04-16
Good vertical, typical operation Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased a new one recently and have had it up for a couple weeks, now. I already run a 40/20/10 meter dipole and wanted a vertical to switch between. I was very careful putting it together and made sure all the hardware and measurments were correct. It is mounted about 10 feet above ground on a mast attached to the backyard eve of the roof. I made my own hinged base and after moving it up and down a few times, the VSWR is no higher than 1:1.5 on all portions of the bands I use, including 6 meters. The hardest part of the install was making the radial base fit the antenna. Careful noting of the installation instructions shows how the mounting "L" brackets are suppose to go. One side of each bracket is a little longer as described in the instructions. However, it still didn't fit properly and I had to use my own method of making it fit. It's not critical, so a little adjustments doesn't hurt anything. Anyway I got them mounted and it works just fine. In use, I have a switch to select between my two antennas and as expected, the vertical has a little more noise than the dipole. However, comparing the two, sometimes the signal is stronger on the R-6000 and sometimes it's stronger on the dipole. That is also expected. It's good to be able to have a choice, because it really can make a difference, sometimes.
All in all, I'm glad I have it and make lots of use with it. At a low level of the support mast, I have a junction box that I can open and connect a coax cable to operate my portable station from my back yard.
It's a good antenna, but I would recommend following the instructions about using guy wires about halfway up the antenna. There is a lot of wind load on the antenna and using non-conductive guy wires makes it very solid in the wind. Others have complained about bending of the antenna and I can see how that could happen.
I like the antenna and it serves my purposes.
W5NM Rating: 2022-06-13
Thought it was good... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I used a R-6000 for years and thought I was doing well when working DX, UNTIL I purchased a HexBeam.
Absolutely NO comparison. The R-6000 is indeed a
Noise Stick. I could hear and work DX like never before
with the HexBeam. Always low VSWR and very low noise on the HexBeam.
KD0VUY Rating: 2022-06-13
Noise stick Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I found this antenna on craigslist for $100 in pretty good condition. It was already put together so I didn't have to do much assembly after bringing it home in 3 sections. I went over the manual and measured everything to make sure it was assembled correctly. Cleaned all element contact points, put it up about 20 feet, and got decent swrs on every band except 17m. On 20m I have a constant S8 noise floor that it's practically unusable. I added an RF Choke inside the shack that didn't really make much of a difference. 10m-15m is far less noisy and I typically get 5/5 signal reports with 100 watts. Haven't tried it on 6m. I've been running this antenna for over a year and overall it performs ok. I wouldn't recommend it if you have the room for other options. Glad I only paid $100 for it.
G0VGS Rating: 2020-09-04
Great aerial once repaired Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this aerial new recently, took my time over the build and put it up on a 10ft pole. The SWR was shocking on all bands, the 'dip' as such as it was on 20m was about 4:1 for example. I could use it with the tuner but it wasn't working well at all. I finally managed to get it down again yesterday and got the VNA on it. It turned out to be the matching network. I removed it, took it apart and the soldering on it was appalling! The brackets that take the bolts through the box and connect then to the board are riveted on, proving a good mechanical connection but they could move freely and the rivets had not been soldered to ensure a good electrical connection. I went over all the solder joints and soldered the brackets to the rivets and now the aerial rocks on all bands. Great aerial but I feel for this kind of money, the quality control was very poor.
HB9IJC Rating: 2018-11-02
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My R6000 is still straight after very strong winds. Very good SWR on all bands. Works well on 30 meters with antenna tuner.
PA1FJ Rating: 2018-07-17
Exellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had a lot of antenas in the last 30 years. But the R6000 is the best DX antenna I have had so far. I have a limited space here. In a residential area like here it is impossible to place large Beams. With the R6000 I work the whole world with 100 watts! Yes a vertical antenna gives some more local noise, but the signals are so good that I do not have much trouble with them.
K8DHU Rating: 2017-11-30
Reception capabilitys Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased a new R-6000 in August of 2016. In vested time and material for a roof edge mount using a dish mount. See QRZ K8DHU.

Very disappointed in that fact I have {NEVER} heard a signal on any band band above 17 meters. Have checked my FT-950 with other hams and their antennas and the receiver checks out fine.

My antenna analyzer confirms all bands are with in after taking the antenna down several times.

The R-6000 was a replacement foe a MA5VA which worked very well but had power limitations and the reason for the replacement.

I do not recommend this antenna for use above 20 meters.



NG1I Rating: 2016-09-26
Excellent Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Have had mine a year and used an MFJ 259 antenna analyzer to get all bands at 1:5.1 and lower. Worked great and proof of the pudding was my participating in the CQ WW RTTY contest in 2016 and 300W from the Ameritron ALS-600 solid state amp with no tuner switching bands. Another piece of ham gear not needed and gone
KE0XQ Rating: 2015-01-28
Bought before MFJ. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought mine 15 years ago. Still working fine. Bought it from HRO in Denver. MFJ should worry about their quality control.
VA2DV Rating: 2015-01-27
If only I could build it... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ordered and received a brand new R-6000 from a well know canadian dealer. Had two 15m traps in the box and no 17m trap. MFJ-Cushcraft could not provide a estimate for a replacement part...put everything back in the box and returned the whole thing for a refund.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by VA2DV on 2001-08-16

For a year+ of operations, i am very satisfied
with the R-6000.I can work almost anything i hear
with my barefoot IC-746. I have use it from two differents appartments with success.All you need
is a balcony with some space ahead. The antenna have survived two very severe ice storms without
any damage. The only minor complaint that i have is that the stubs tends to twist around the main tubing. I have replace the mast installation system with a plate similar to the one in the new R-8. Much more stable that way. I recommend this
antenna to anyone.