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Reviews For: Cushcraft AR-270B 2m/70m three element collinear

Category: Antennas: VHF/UHF+ Omnidirectional: verticals, mobile, etc

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Review Summary For : Cushcraft AR-270B 2m/70m three element collinear
Reviews: 7MSRP: 219.95
Description:
Dual-band 2m/70m three element collinear vertical
Product is in production
More Info:
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0074.4
N5XJT Rating: 2022-07-10
Simply Great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
AR-270B 11+ yrs old, mounted at about 22 ft., excellent performer on 2m and 440 both with very nice gain. No issues and and no problems with weather endurance. Expensive initial cost but worth it.
G0JSV Rating: 2022-02-07
Great antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Picked up the AR-270B because I already had the AR-270 which has proven to be one of the most reliable aerials I have owned. In the UK, for some unknown reason, the 'White Sticks' are preferred. i.e. The brass rod wrapped in fibreglass. When brand new, these white sticks are great but the wind and water ingress always take their toll. They are normally good for a few years only. 3-4. The Cushcraft aerials seem to be built for the longer term. They are not perfect (QA is lacking) but once in the air they keep on going.
KC2VOB Rating: 2009-08-16
Excellent Antenna Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Please differentiate between AR-270 and AR-270B. I got AR270B at a height of about 50’, fed with 75’ Times Microwave LMR400. The setup does an excellent performance with very low loss both on 2m & 70cm. It enables me to make contacts through a 2m repeater located about 70 miles from me with an S9 on receive. May be it’s assisted by the sunny and hot weather here. As for 70cm, I got a Motorola GP300 programmed to 440 for portable use. I was able to make contacts with home at a range of 4-5 miles with plenty elevations & exposed power lines. One a hilly peak, behind a mountain, I was able to make contact at a distance of about 20 miles. From my experiment, Diamond V2000 and AR270B electrically compare side by side on amateur bands. What’s more interesting about Cushcraft’s ringo antennas is that their length can be adjusted to desired frequencies. Speaking of strength, AR-270B has stood one full season of the daily monsoon windstorms in S Asia. I posted a video of mine on YouTube under my call sign KC2VOB.
W3RXO Rating: 2008-04-18
I wish this site distinguished between the AR270, and AR270B Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had an AR270, and was very disappointed with it, after a short time. It just didn't have the quality parts, and fell apart, after less than a year. I had a friend with an AR 270B, who had upgraded to a Diamond, and didn't need the 270B. The "B" has been in service now, for about 14 months, and is still doing well, for an antenna that was likely a year, or more old, when I got it. It certainly is a better antenna than the 270. I gave an overall rating of 3, as the 270 should get a 2 and the 270B should get a 4, in my opinion.
NB7I Rating: 2007-09-03
Works, but why bother? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had a AR-270B up for about 7 years. Replaced it with a Diamond X50A after the Cushcraft corroded/loosened up/quit working on 440. The Diamond is a much better antenna for harsh enviroments, and the same price.
K6NTL-3 Rating: 2004-04-20
Bang for the buck Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Shame everything costs so much these days, but considering we are fish in a barrel, it could be worse.

I am reviewing the AR270B, as it has nowhere else to go.

I have had no problem with this unit. Assembly is easy with one exception being getting the top section down into the center section far enough without a little effort.

I would like to see them pony up and use some extended U clamps rather than the hose clamps to attach it to the mast. However the latter works fine. At 30 ft up, who needs pretty anyhow, hi hi.

Performance wise, set it and forget it. The bandwidth is wide and if you set the antenna up per measurements, no worries.

The AR270 sounds good too, I've seen them and they would be great for portable or attic use. I just recommend the B to those with the room to put up more antenna. I use 9913/f but loss is loss and teh extra gain helps negate it. You all knew that though.. hi hi

Thumbs up again. This is my fourth cushcraft, and not my last.

73, Kevin
K5NIC Rating: 2000-06-21
Great antenna for a vertical Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I know that beams work best, but I don't currentlyl have space for a beam. The AR-270B has fantastic gain on both bands. Highly recommended.