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Reviews For: Cushcraft MA5B Mini Beam

Category: Antennas: HF: Yagi, Quad, Rotary dipole, LPDA

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Review Summary For : Cushcraft MA5B Mini Beam
Reviews: 155MSRP: 365.00
Description:
Cushcraft's newest multiband HF antenna provides 5 bands
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.cushcraftamateur.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001554.6
VA6MJT Rating: 2002-05-28
Great little antenna. Time Owned: N.A.
Due ot the amount of requests I have had since I published my review on the CushCraft MA5B antenna, I felt this as a driving opportunity to make this information more readily availble on the net to be viewed by interested parties at their liesure. I realize there are dial up connections and did not want to bog them down with pictures in their e-mail. I tried to keep this site relatively simple yet pleasing and offering my review with pictures that loaded quickly. Please feel free to check it out and send feedback either negative or positive.

http://www.apothecarytech.ca/va6mjt/

I will continue to update the website on a regular basis and try to keep it interesting for some. If you would require additional information or pictures please feel free to let me know and I will try to post them as well.
Thanks for your interest.
Mike
VA6MJT
WB0AAC Rating: 2002-05-13
ma5 b excellent beam Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The cushcraft MA5b is a superb antenna. I get under2/1 swr on all bands. It sure is nice to have a 17/12 meter rotable dipole. I have the antenna mounted on a 10 foot tv mast on my roof.
I use a tv rotor to turn it but I do use a thrust bearing to reduce wind strain on the rotor. Was easy to put together about 4 hours. I do not see how they can sell it for $269.95. The mterials used in it are first class. It seems to stand
the wind very well also.Thank you cushcraft for a graeat product at a great price.
K5JDB Rating: 2002-04-26
A Great Yagi Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased my MA5B in November 2001 as my first beam. Being super intelligent, I managed to assemble it incorrectly and experienced very high VSWR. I called Cushcraft and was patiently assisted by Ed Hammond over a period of several weeks. When all else had failed and we discovered that the traps were all installed backwards, the VSWR dropped to very acceptable values all across the 5 bands. I have worked all over the world with 100 watts. My space made it impossible to have a full size beam and I have not been disappointed with the MA5B. Thanks Cushcraft! 73 Jim K5JDB
VE7IPU Rating: 2002-02-13
Excellent choice for DX Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I got the mini beam to get more signal out in one direction than my R6000 could for DX(a very good vertical by the way).I have had it now since Mar/00 and enjoy all the DX I have worked. I use some help from an Amp and manage to get break pile ups with no problem. It is only at 10M (30 feet)and works so very well I would be lost without it. Assembly was easy, by myself, with a couple of saw horses and since I have left side paralysis. That is real easy for normal healthy Hams!
W6DXO Rating: 2002-01-31
Outstanding Value! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After years living with all manner of wire antennas I finally had the opportunity to put up a small beam. I purchaesd the MA5B on the strength of earlier reviews. After carefully reading the assembly instructions the antenna went together in about 3 low stress hours. The antenna is mounted only 33 feet up using a GM roof tower and a GM medium duty 8' mast. I recommend mounting the X elements after the antenna in on your mast to avoid damage.

Results thus far have been exceptional. SWR is not bad and my rig's ATU has been able to tune the antenna without issue. I have litterally been able to work all the DX I have been able to hear using a barefoot IC 775DSP. And as others have reported, this little beam puts all my wires to shame. Seems I put a "new one" in the log nearly every day now..and I already had over 150 before I put the MA5B up. Although the cost on this little antenna has gone up since it was frist introduced I think it's a bargin at about $320.
KC2DBJ Rating: 2001-10-28
A very superb Yagi Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Cushcrafts MA5B Yagi is an excellent no tune 5 bander for 10 through 20 meters with flawless results.When I got this antenna at first,it had some parts missing..ie..(a worm clamp,a end tube),but I called cushcraft and got the missing parts expressed to me at no charge.Although it can be a time consuming experience assembling it, it is worth it in the end with amazing results that put my G5RV to shame.If you need a Yagi for a small area,this is it. Joe Casadonte,KC2DBJ
W0ZPE Rating: 2001-10-25
Good perfomer Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Cushcraft came 'alive' on the MA5B, great mini beam for 20 thru 10-Meters. Terrific little DXer. Only weighs 26 Lbs. but delivers big time. Very low VSWR's across the bands, good perfomer!
N9QGU Rating: 2001-07-02
In addition Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I forgot to mention in previous review that the antenna loads up great on 17 and 12 (1:3)without a tuner.
K6RAS Rating: 2001-06-10
A Fabulous Little Combo Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
While it is classified as a "Beam" antenna, it's actually a combination of "beam" and "dipole". It functions as a 2 element "beam" on 20, 15, and 10 meters and as a trap dipole on 17 and 12 meters. If the assembler reads the instructions COMPLETELY and follows them RELIGOUSLY it's a snap to assemble. I assembled mine and had it on the tower in less than a day (without assistance - it's a little awkward to handle on the ground and going up the tower but you don't need to enlist the help of the entire neighborhood to install it) and worked Lituania, Belgium, Czech. Republic and Italy with a "59" at 80 watts input on 20 meters that same evening. My QTH is located at 2000 foot elevation and the antenna is up 35 feet on a slopling hillside lot. I have avoided "beam" antennas for a long long time due to their size; this little jewel was worth waiting for. If you can get hold of a antenna analyzer (MFJ-259 etc.) it'll make final tuning a little easier. The tuning stub adjustments are not linear (where 9" = 14.025 Mhz and 7 " = 14.300 Mhz, 8" does not = 14.1375 Mhz) and 1/4" can make a significant difference in center fequency adjustment.
If you're looking for a "beam" that'll do a nice job without the necessity of a second mortgage on your home this is the one you're looking for. Good design, good price, good performance.
KE3WH Rating: 2001-05-10
Surprised! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was very surprised at how small this beam is..
I had purchased it to replace my ol TA-33.
Its easy to assemble if you have some skill with tools and assembly. There are many small parts, I dont recommend assembling it in a spot you cant find the lost parts..
I assembled it in about and hour, having to redrill the insulator on both pieces, as the holes were off center. There are sharp spots on the parts, and they can cut you.
There are extra washers - but thats about it.
The fasteners are metric.

I pointed the thing in the wrong direction, thinking in 3 ele terms and not the 2 ele it actually is. Keep that in mind as you install it.

First QSO 100W 59 SSB into Columbia- then another Columbian station at 59. Also worked vk and zl land the next morning.

So far, I am happy with it.
My complaint would be very narrow coverage on 20M.
Meaning I cant yet take down the R-7000, or need an additional monobander.