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Reviews For: Cushcraft 13B2

Category: Antennas: VHF/UHF+ Directional (Yagi, quad, etc.)

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Review Summary For : Cushcraft 13B2
Reviews: 42MSRP: 159.95
Description:
2m 13 element boomer antenna (vert./horiz.)
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.cushcraft.com/amateur/details.asp?catid=11
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00424
KD6QCT Rating: 2021-03-08
Purchased in 1993 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Super antenna and does what I thought it would. I use to live in area that two repeaters where on the same frequency but different PLs. One was in Riverside, CA and the other was in Las Vegas, NV (Mt Potosi). Living in the High Desert at that time (still but different location) Hesperia, CA if the riverside station keyed up it would wipe out the Las Vegas station. This antenna took care of the problem. What a difference it made. I am resetting up after the mast came loose in a strong wind so I can get into Las Vegas better. Full quieting compared to just barely legible on a GP-9 at my current location. Set up Vertically Polarized. Good antenna. This is the same antenna I purchased in 1993 still in use today.
VK2FZR Rating: 2018-04-28
great antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I replaced a 6 element with the 13B2 and it improved the TX and RX by a lot. I can talk to stations on SSB 105 miles away any time of the day at 5/9+ where they were 5/8 on the 6 element. I use an IC-7000 with 200w and my signal has improved to these stations by the same amount.The SWR is less than 1.1 at 144.000 and is 1.3 at 148.000 and completely flat every where in between. I'm happy with it and it does exactly what I wanted it to do.
HB9OAB Rating: 2016-03-05
Good Job - It works very well! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
HI,
I use this antenna coupled with 2x13B2 for about 15 years.
The selected configuration is vertical.
I use of satellite links, ES and AirScatter.
Befor I used 2x10TONNA and then 2x2x11TONNA coupled with all the configuration H/E switchable so I changed to 2x13B2 in vertical polarization like 26B2.

With this 2x13VHF as minimal system I built home made couplers and all connections from the LNA, and ANT CABLE directly on the tower.

I also tried a couple of times via EME and I have also made more than 20 EME QSOs with only 200w also receiving excellent audible EME signals demonstrating a good compromise/installation.

Also I receive the France beacon of RAVES at 144350 via TROPO and EME without problem.
For a small setup, I more than that I can not get any better.
SWR: 1:1.2 centered at 144500 and perfectly usable with max 1:1.5 from 145000 to 146000 without mods.

After several testing I chose the 2x13 vertical configuration for minor construction problems and to be able to easily put 4x20UHF (80 horizontal elements) between them.

For my minimal use is a winning configuration.

Info via qrz.com
73's

AA8XR Rating: 2016-01-12
Poor Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I gladly and happily bought this new antenna as an early birthday gift to myself and low and behold it has terrible SWR throughout the band, because it appears the matching clamps on the driven element do not fit tight, so I had to modify them so that they would to make the SWR fall into a range of usability , this is completely unacceptable as a $250 antenna should work perfectly once assembled in its operating band
Shame on you CushCraft for not putting the proper parts to assemble the matching network correctly on this antenna

My 215 WB was a far greater antenna than this piece of junk,
I am extremely disappointed

I will be looking at all of the other brands of antennas from now on
ON6SX Rating: 2013-10-18
Good antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My 13B2 is more than 15 years old and never let me down.I worked a lot of DX in EU with distances more than 1200Km(TR)and more than 2500km(ES).My QTH is on 25m ASL and and the antenna is installed only 12m above ground.
The setup is TS-790E + RFC2-317 (170W) and no pre-amp.
W4HLN Rating: 2013-09-24
Well.................. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
So far...Got the antenna today and started assembly. Got down to the boom / mast mount plate and the clamps are wrong for the boom....put on flat washers...lock washers and tighten down nuts all the way and you still need a half inch threads or better on each side to get it to tighten! Wrong Clamps!

Contacted support at MFJ/CUSHCRAFT and sent a photo of the problem...We will see!

Will write a complete review once this problem is solved...or not ... very soon
W4KVW Rating: 2013-05-10
SO SO at best! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The 13B2 is at best OK.They should discontinue building it & go back to the 215WB which is a much better antenna & the materials used in the 215WB are much better as well.Newer is not always better!
The 215WB will talk circles around the 13B2 & YES I own both but will be parting with the 13B2 ASAP.Go with an M2 or a 215WB if you can find one.
KD0PWM Rating: 2012-12-05
A+ Customer Support Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Only had the 13B2 for a couple weeks, but it is working great. Solid antenna; I am not going to worry about it being at the top of my 70 foot tower at my windy QTH. Assembly was very easy and straightforward. I was short one element in the box, which we all know does happen occasionally, so the MOST important thing is, "how does the manufacturer customer service department respond?" I left a message online with Cushcraft, and Tom was very helpful and quickly sent me what I needed.
GM6TVR Rating: 2012-01-07
Still going strong......... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I replaced a geriatric Tonna beam which folded up in high winds, purchasing the Cushcraft 13B2 which has been up in the air at my qth for a few years now.
It, and other items of kit, have just survived the battering that Scotland received in the recent storms, with winds North of here reaching 165mph.
Antenna performs better than spec and I am delighted with it's performance and survival capabilities.

Nice one Cushcraft.

All the best,

John GM6TVR / GM0FQV
LEIGH Rating: 2011-01-25
Amazing Yagis Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have run 4 x 13b2 in a array for over 7 years. They are up at 75 foot on a free standing tower which I need a crane to get down. I have never had to do any work on them in this time. I use them in vertical polarity to work FM and repeaters. The SWR is below 1.1:1. I can work EME from this array and hold the VK tropo simplex FM record of 2821 Km! Also hold the VK furthest FM distance to repeater of 2817 Km.
I would recommend these antennas over anything else.
Leigh VK2KRR