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Reviews For: Cushcraft R-8

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : Cushcraft R-8
Reviews: 105MSRP: 450 to $480
Description:
40-6m omnidirectional vertical antenna
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.cushcraftamateur.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001054
K6BF Rating: 2013-09-04
Bad overall.. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I owned the R8 for three months and that's it i gave up burn the 30 meters coil cost 70 dollars including shipping takes three weeks to get it no more in stock waiting to be build from scratch down time.Specs (Calls it for 1.5kw )not even i just run 1K power PEP on 40 meters and almost burn again for the second time.

I think i do believe the tuning stubs create problems in the long run.The material is low grade as well if you don't use guy option chances is damaging the antenna in the wind.I switched to a different manufacturer it looks better and no more down time means more QSO's + DX and less manpower to install mounted at 12 feet of the ground by my self unlike the R8 and i need 2 more friends! That shows low grade is the material the used on the R8 sorry.

I cannot recommend this to anyone especially no source of help. I will give this antenna a low rating based solely on the quality of materials and workmanship which I would describe as substandard at best. I am in doubt that I would buy another antenna product from (MFJ) family after seeing this product.
AB6OJ Rating: 2013-07-13
material bads/electronic good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
the design is excellent.
But the material is poor. After one season of wind, nuts of some parts is missing, two bolts of trap disapeared. It didn't happened druring 15 years of R7 before. Again Electronocally excellent, but mechanically they need a improve some more.
It says rugged design, and 80mph survival.
Yes Only design.
K2MMO Rating: 2013-04-19
Great antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had mine for 6 years and have had great results.I have worked all over the world on CW and SSB most of the time without a tuner.Solid construction and good footprint for a vertical.It is up about 30 feet from ground so it does sway in the breeze however survived Hurricane Sandy without a scratch would buy another if need be.
W5RRP Rating: 2013-03-19
Wow Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have used verticals on HF since 1961. The R8 ranks at the top of the list. Yes, it does whip around in a breeze -- seems designed this way, it bends in a breeze instead breaking. With 100 watts, using ssb and cw I have worked and confirmed over 100 countries operating for 2 or 3 hours a week over less than 2 years. Like all products of this type, following the instructions exactly as written makes all the difference in the world. Though not advertised as such, the use of stub decoupling (similar to the Hy-Gain High Tower) seems to make this a superior vertical antenna. With this antenna, working DX is a joy.
K7KHZ Rating: 2012-12-25
Awesome! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well, this is my second R8 I have purchased over the last 8 years. The first one was sold due to a move to the east coast. I am renting the house and wanted a quick, multiband vertical requiring no radials. Trying to watch the wallet, I bought a multiband, no radial vertical with a huge dissapointment (Won't mention the brand). Sold that piece of junk and went back to my proven and trusted R8. I have it 10' off the ground and performing like a champ! No DX problem here. It was well worth the additional cost. If I hear them I can work them. It is a little noisy but so is every vertical but my new Kenwood TS-590 has no problem pulling them in. If I could wish for one thing on this antenna it would be 80 meters and that would really put the icing on the cake!

I think the cost-performance ratio is a bargain and don't bother wasting your time looking at other multiband verticals if a vertical is what you want or need. You'll get all the DX you want with the R8.
PY2ONU Rating: 2012-12-05
Very good! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is my second reviews after 1 year. The Cushcraft r8 is a fantastic antena, more there 200 entities worked in 1 year whith this product.
This is my second reviews after 1 year. The Cushcraft r8 is a fantastic antena, more there 200 entities worked in 1 year with this product. I had a little problem with water in the coils but silicone resolved this problem.
The materials are good (steel and good quality aluminium) an ROE is 1:1 in all bands (20 meters is 150 khz and 40 meters is 70 khz) but the internal antenna tunner of my transceiver resolve this question. The Cushcraft r8 have a little noise but all verticalls are noisy.
Overall I rate 5, all bands have a single antenna with great results for local and DX contacts. At the moment I have no way to spend yagis antennas and no space at home to install large antennas.
K3ROJ Rating: 2012-12-02
30,000 Worked Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought a new R8 in 1999 when retiring with this being my second review. Am only using a chain link fence as a ground radial. Here it is January 2013 and have worked over 30,000 stations using this remarkable vertical. Hurricane Sandy just went through a month ago and the R8 is atill standing tall. Since I operate a Flex Radio 5000A, I now use the R8 in conjunction with one of the 43 foot verticals to give me full breakin capability. Dual diversity is also very useful to actually hear the other station or stations as I send CW.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K3ROJ on 2011-08-03

I thought I left a review for the R8 but to repeat, it has performed very well for me since 1999. Only one time did I need to swing it down and retighten a screw holding the 40 meter trap to it's connection. I also use a 43 foot vertical with a roller inductor tuner so that we can operate dual diversity reception using my Flex 5000A with it's second receiver. The counterpoise seems to do the trick instead of buried radials.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by K3ROJ on 2010-09-17

This is a followup review since the R8 has served me well since 2001. It is elevated 7 feet on a fold down 4X4 post with a good ground rod and no support ropes. I have worked over 18,000 stations with it with many awards since I enjoy CW contests on 20 meters. I found it works best with a roller inductor type tuner (Old Heathkit here)
in the shack and because of the length of RG11 buried cable, I can also tune it to the 160 meter band. We now have one of the 43 foot verticals about 80 feet from the R8 and use dual diversity reception which makes big difference on the 160 band. Our Flex 5000A makes that possible. Also experimenting with full breakin for high speed CW.
N1ZLE Rating: 2012-09-09
No way this thing should work Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Ten feet off the ground. Amazingly surprising results!! This thing is a DX machine! I run full legal limit into a flat swr on 20 mtrs. Been very happy with the results. I got it used for free..... so I cant even begin to complain about it! Actually I can't find a damn thing wrong with it. After reading many articles about it I've determined mine is an actual Cushcraft version. So far the winter hasn't killed it, and I have it guyed at the feed point of the antenna and mast.
No complaints!!
K8OCN Rating: 2012-08-20
KA8OCN Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is my second reveiew, but I own 2 of them does that count?

I have mine tuned for the low in of the bands (I like PSK31) and I can still use it without a tuner on most bands on SSB without a tuner (40 meters and 6 meters not so much) In fact on 6 meters I never had much luck with the R8 but they are only just igh enough off the ground that I do not get blinded when I mow the lawn, once or twice a year if it needs it! When the grass is as high as the R8 its time to mow the lawn.

The matching network can sometimes be a problem but there is enough information on the internet to help you rebuild it (its posted as a R6 but I used the info and was able to rebuild one I got on eBay for next to nothing because the matching network was destroyed before the guy ever had a chance to put it together.


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Earlier 5-star review posted by K8OCN on 2011-08-03

Mine is over 10 years old and is still working very well. I did have a problem with the matching box, I was using a auto tuner on it and the tuner caused a problem. It was repaired under warranty and I never had a problem with it again.

I purchased a second one damaged on ebay, I had to rebuild the matching network and its working great for the guy I got it for, he uses it every day with a amp and no problems for over 3 years.

If you see one for sale used for a good price grab it, if you grab mine I will break your arm!

73 Del Mt Morris, Mi
WB6RCC Rating: 2012-08-19
Tuning Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just purchased an R8.
After reading the manual a few times, unable to find any information concerning the tuning of the 17, 20 and 30 meter bands.
Any help?
Thanks in advance.