| WA6JDC |
Rating:  |
2024-12-06 | |
| Amazing antenna! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Too bad mfj’s fall will discontinue the MA5B. This thing is magical!
I built and mounted the antenna in a weekend. It sits on a 25’ automatic telescoping pole mast. At 28’, this antenna simply blows away my well situated vertical and end feds. The first time I fired it up it was DX city, where I was the guy getting through the pile ups and hearing hams no one else were answering. From Whales, “Wow, where did your signal come from!!!?” 10 over 9 when he was losing other responses. If you’re tight on space or money, this antenna plus a modest rotator keeps you relevant in almost any setting. One note: one trap had a defective grommet causing intermittent opens. Took me too long to sort it out. But once fixed, wow! I’m truly happy with this thing. Whoever designed it was genius.
UPDATE Dec 5, 2024: OK, I still love this thing and the reports back are amazing... BUT!!! OMG the defective traps! TWO more went out, and again, it had to do with the poor electrical connection between the coils and the inner tube via a punch grommet. Wow, what a pain. Again, they were intermittent, making tracking things down more time consuming than one would hope for in a new purchase.
My advice if you buy one of the few of these remaining in stock at various outlets is to go ahead and build the thing, but if it doesn't tune, or if it falls out of tune unexpectedly, go straight to the two traps of the affected band(s) and replace the grommets with some other fastener. Anything but the darn grommets!!!
Meanwhile, fully repaired, antenna tuned up quite nicely and I don't need a tuner to use it ON ANY OF THE 5 BANDS. OK, on 20 Meters I tuned it to the SSB side of the band to optimize it and I'll use a tuner on the CW edge. Small compromise.
It's a hard earned love, but the love is still there. I just hope this thing hangs on now for at least a few years. |
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| CT7AUK |
Rating: |
2023-10-19 | |
| A small beam with a superb performance for 5 bands |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The MA5B antenna is absolutely superb in terms of performance considering the small boom size of just 2.2 meters.
Despite the fact that in the 12 and 17 meter bands there is only one rotating dipole and only two elements in the 10, 15 and 20 meters, the performance is superior to verticals, dipoles and I would say even superior to some other triband antennas.
Mine, still original from Cushcraft before the brand was acquired by MFJ, allowed me to conquer the DXCC award with 100W.
The most negative point is not the balun, but the traps, especially if you use more RF power than the recommended in the manual, particularly in digital modes be carefully with the use of a linear amplifier.
Apart from that, and for those who have space limitations, it can be attached to a chimney with a small mast and a small rotor, and reach the entire world.
CT7AUK (former CT2IBY) |
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| W1JIM |
Rating: |
2022-05-06 | |
| Great beam for those not ready to take the big leap |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
An update - I realized I'm getting old this morning when I had a QSO on 12M with FM5DN - the last one I had with him was 20+ years ago. He was barely a whisper with my vertical and dipole but the MA5B pulled him out of the ether - I gave him a 55 and he gave me a 57 (I presume it's quieter in Martinique).
Well, I still have my MA5B which I purchased new and installed back in 1999.
I noticed recently that after a serious rain storm that the SWR on 20M was crazy high.
I went up on the roof (getting harder at 67 years) and pulled the two 20m traps (MT3) and noticed one had a burn smell to it - I was not happy.
I opened it up (which required a hearty tug while the stem was in a vise) and found one of the coils was 80% covered with what I can only assume was spider debris. It looked like fur. And, part of that was seriously burned - probably from when it got wet and I ran 6-700 watts through it.
I cleaned up the mess and reassembled (after also examining the other traps which had small amounts of crap each).
Back in place and it's all working like new.
I was surprised to see so much crap in there - the only access was through the little weep holes on the bottom.
So, this antenna continues to amaze me.
This antenna and 100 watts will be a godsend; 600 watts and you'll be one of the little bigshots.
Just that, after 20 years you should consider examining the traps and giving them the sniff test.
I can deal with that level of maintenance!
________________________________________
I was shocked! I was looking for a small beam that I could mount on my chimney; I'm not in a position to erect a tower (money, commitment, zoning crap, etc.). Well I wanted something for nothing; big signal in a small space. I have been very happy with the Cushcraft. I run 100 to 800 watts and find that I have little trouble getting in early on in the pileups. SWR is fine across the board and I rotate it with a cheapie rotator. With a 7.5 foot boom and a small turning circle it really fits the bill! (I put it up solo; I often am a bit crafty about those things) If you're not ready to take the big investment then this one will make you happy. . . . . . .
P.S. - My wife has yet to point at it accusingly!
Jim B. aka w1jim@yahoo.com |
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| VA3IPG |
Rating: |
2022-02-27 | |
| There are not enough words to describe this antenna |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Hi. After owning this antenna for 6 years now, i decided to make a review to help others.
the only reason i had to purchase this antenna was the lack of aerial space on the property where i live. the small size of it, allows me to rotate it anywhere without trespassing the neighbours yards. at the beginning i was a little skeptical about it. but i still choose this one over the mini th3 from hi-gain. I have it only at 20 feet high from the ground, and with only the 100w from the radios i reach pretty much any place on the globe with it, working with the propagation. its simple....if i can hear the other side, i always make the contact, no matter how weak the signal is. I always get a WOW from the other side when i tell them the model of the antenna i'm using with only 100w. of course, i cannot compare it with a full size beam antenna or with a stepp IR antenna, but i do have a golden log that proves how good this great small antenna performs! i have ham operator friends who had this model, changed for a different one and after a while, they said: "i regret the day i sold that antenna". If you have space issues on your property in the city, i strongly recommend this one! MA5B
Best 73 de VA3IPG, Jorge |
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| KJ4WIS |
Rating: |
2021-04-07 | |
| Great little beam. |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| The MA5B is amazing. I have 4 wire antennas (all at 40 to 50 feet) and one vertical and the MA5B blows them away. On receive, I get 2 to 5 s units over the other antennas and on transmit, I always get great reports into Europe, and South America S-9 to S9+. Never much of a problem with pileups as I always get through. This beam doesn't think its small. If you have limited space, or even if you don't, you will love the antenna. My use has been mostly on 20 meters with some on 15 as the higher bands have not been open. |
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| M0INM |
Rating: |
2019-04-30 | |
| Superb Minibeam |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Others have given some mixed reviews on the MA5B but I have recently replaced my inverted V dipole with this antenna and it is really superb for a minibeam in a restricted space. For it's size it has excellent front-to-back characteristics and really pulls in the DX. I'm delighted with it. Be careful with the measurements and be sure to get the traps with arrows outwards. Fix the elements to the boom with self-tapping screws to prevent "windmilling". Use an antenna analyser to set up for 20 metres. I use a nice Palstar manual ATU which really tweaks the antenna for max swr efficiency.
If you have a small space you will do no better! |
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| N8ZI |
Rating: |
2018-07-11 | |
| 5 bands with a small footprint. |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I was given a MA5B for helping an older Op drop his tower and do needed antenna maintenance.
The MA-5B is a great little antenna for it's size. Now if all the MA-5B owners worldwide will send a request to Cushcraft/MFJ they might offer an add on kit for the MA-5B. Even if it only contained the complete 12/17M reflector (element, traps and cap hats) with longer boom as the MA6B, it would give more bang for the buck.
To those who complain about MFJ customer support, I have never once had any issues with their products or support. Even when I ask random questions about their products, I always receive a answer in a timely manner.
Recently I ordered a few replacement parts and there was a error that resulted in me receiving 2 items when I only asked for and was charged for 1. I called them to see how it could be resolved and was told I could keep the extra part free of charge!
My experience has always been very satisfied with all aspects of MFJ.
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|
| WA8NSS |
Rating: |
2017-11-01 | |
| Amazing little antenna! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Bought this as an open box item from hro for a great price but no manual in the box so downloaded one from mfj/cushcraft website. This will also insure you have the updated version if there is such a thing. I take my time as i pull trap covers off and tighten all trap screws with nut driver. You will always find a couple screws that are loose which will cause high swr if not now but down the road when they loosen even more. Even though assembly is pretty simple with only a couple of end tube dimensions on el 1&3 and an overall dimension on el 2 to worry about, a couple of dimensions were left out that should be in the manual like when installing traps in el 1&3 how far to shove them into tube eb! A call to tom at cushcraft verified what I suspected just shove em all the way in to trap covers! This should be in the manual similar to the A4s Manual. By the way tom has always resolved my problems at mfj/cushcraft! The next day assemble elements to boom trap arrows pointing out weep holes to ground and make sure your mast clamp is on correct side of boom in relation to elements. Your capacity x hat assembly goes on next and make sure they are aligned with one another. Matching network last.. check swr with analyzer within say a10 to 30 ft jumper for accuracy. Remember depending how high you erect beam your resonant freq will change and move up the bands 20 to 40 kc...we put mine up on third day and all swr curves excellent on all bands cw and ssb except cw portion of 20! This is to be expected as boom length is only 7'3".... i would not run an amp on cw portion of 20 but thats the compromise if you purchase this beam. No missing parts which is good and some left over. Quality of construction very good and performance superb!!! The ma5b doesnt think its a minibeam. I have a vertical and dipole ant as a reference, sometimes 2 to 5 units on the other end.. mine is up 42' and most contacts overseas cant believe its a minibeam.. take your time to put this together will reap you rewards!! Denny |
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| W8DMC |
Rating:  |
2017-01-23 | |
| Garbage |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
After months of adjustments, advise and course corrections, it's apparent CUSHCRAFT is now junk (Mighty Fine Junk)MFJ. I'll never buy a product from them again. End of story. No phone advise, no updated written material, wrong instructions and very poor quality product. You may be lucky, but asking for five bands with a three element beam, Ha Ha HA LOLM LOL
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Earlier 3-star review posted by W8DMC on 2016-09-29
I now understand, They produce Antennas as so they fit in shipping containers vs. building easy to assemble antennas.in o e long box! So many parts, from a multitude of nuts and bolts, giving you the impression upon completion, you left things out! But no, they randomely place many extra packages of nuts and bolts with washers. Upon receipt of my antenna with many parts cut so they can fit in the box for shipping, when they all could be individual sections and much less complicated for assembly. As you know Cushcraft sold their stock and manufacturing to MFJ, in the process someone who produced the last assembly manual had a bad day or a hot date at 5:00 PM, and it was 4:45 PM and they had to hurry! The manual had so many typos, wrong nomiclature, miss prints, wrong instructions. The worst was measurements were or had been changed and not reflected in the assembly manual provided! How I found out was calling MFJ, and being told just two weeks ago.."They are to print a new assembly manual" Also that there were so many changes that were said to be critical to its functionality , very frustrating, and after I was told I'll send you the corrections and notes, but never arrive! Moral to the story (Denand) the new assembly Manual) if buying this MA5B beam. The outlets have many in stock, but with old manuals, so put some fire up under MFJ to Secure the corrected version with this particular antenna. The bottom line the assembly is seriously critical as so your property tuned on 17, 20 Meters.... math math math, measure measure, hence have the latest and properly assembly instructions. Once you add
properly assembly and it's up 60', you have 20,17 15, 12 & 10 Meters in a directional beam. That's my advise. W8DMC Doug
Feel free to write me for assistance.
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Earlier 4-star review posted by W8DMC on 2016-09-15
Assembly, is basically straight forward for a three element beam with traps. However, upon receiving mine it was missing several key parts! Issue was after calling MFJ(Cushcraft sold to MFJ, if you did not know!) that the given, or old manual has over 12 corrections, which includes several major assembly concerns, as in the placement of traps directions, tube measurements and tuning issues. The assembly measurements is critical, so obtaining the newer publication is mandatory, or get lucky and speak with one of there techs, and have him explain the corrections, as I had accomplished. He well versed and easy to work with. I hope MFJ picks up the new manual fast for future buyers. You will also find R&L Electronics in Hamilton, Ohio with the BEST price on the MA5B. In ending, 5 bands and basic good gain and the two WARC bands with a basic rotatable dipole us a good all around beam. Just be assured of assembly corrections! 73 W8DMC |
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| W6RMC |
Rating: |
2016-10-23 | |
| Great Bang for the Buck |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I installed this antenna on my 8ft roof tower yesterday with a friend for help. Very light antenna. Signal up 3-4 S units from my HyGain vertical antenna. Worked Hungary and Portugal on 17m SSB with 50 watts this morning and received good signal reports. Solar flux in the 80's range.
Very happy with this purchase.
This is a well made, reasonably heavy duty antenna.
Assembly was very easy. All hardware was included along with some spare nuts and screws. No complaints at all with this antenna.
73 |
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