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Reviews For: Cushcraft R-6000

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : Cushcraft R-6000
Reviews: 69MSRP: 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
00694
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.

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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.
K6SDW Rating: 2014-01-20
Vertical slamms!! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Cushcraft R6000 vertical really works, sometimes outperforming my tri-bander.....yes, I know I know, the R6000 is a "compromised" vertical antenna using shortened radials, but at 40' I'd never get a 1/4 wave vertical using standard ground radials that high in the air...

Construction is good, not great. Installation instructions could be better, but take your time and it works.

VSWR 5' off the ground tuned great, but changed at 40' ..... I'm not surprised, that's quite a change in distance from 5' so the tuner needs to be used on some bands. No problem.....

I would never have considered buying the Cushcraft verticals until a ham friend started bringing his R6 out RV camping....the first time we put it together and set it up at about 8' off the ground, with 100-watts we worked several stations in Europe from 6-land!! WOO-WEEEE

Cheers All