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Reviews For: Buckmaster 7 Band, 3KW, OCF Dipole Antenna

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : Buckmaster 7 Band, 3KW, OCF Dipole Antenna
Reviews: 89MSRP: 324.95
Description:
No tuner, multi-band, off-center fed(OCF), 135 ft. dipole with 6:1 voltage balun
Product is in production
More Info: http://hamcall.net/7bandocf.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00894.6
N9ZA Rating: 2009-06-10
Versatile in more ways than one Time Owned: N.A.
I recently purchased the 7-band version and departed from the recommended inverted V configuration (tree displacements,the arbiters), and strung it up in a V pattern with the heavy balun dangling free 7 feet above the ground.

In this free-of-attachment arrangement, the heavy balun acts like a bungee cord in leveling out the stress when the wind blows - elimating the need to have actual bungee cords at each end of the OCF to equalize stress.

This arrangement also jettisons the need for a 30 to 40 foot vertical tie-and-feed point close to shack entrance.

But what about the SWR numbers in a "rabbit ears" configuration, do they match the inverted V numbers? They sure do. The Palstar ZM30 analyzer even up the score when it comes to the numbers.

All in all, the Buckmaster OCF with its solid construction and weighty balun, plus its top perforance, makes this one versatile antenna.
IRABREN Rating: 2009-04-20
Very Good Quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a pricey - but very high quality antenna. I have the 6 band; 300 watt version. It will tune(with a palstar AT1-KP Tuner ) - 6-80 m.
I can talk on 80m with some added 200w of power.
The best thing is the small size for my lot (50X100) - I have it hanging from a nail - at top of chimney - angle of 120 degrees and apex about 30 ft high.
It is a very good performer for only 30 ft. The balun and wire are very high quality. They ship fast. 1 leg is only 20 + feet and the other is 40+ feet. I have the legs elevated 10ft with painter's push up poles at the fences. I am very happy with it for what it is. It is great improvement over my HS-1800 screwdriver ( on a tripod with 12 above ground radials ). It doesn't take up much space.
It is in back of house, low footprint, I just hope the HOA will allow it.
For those in my situation - I highly recommend it !. If you have more room - get the 7 band 3KW version.
73 and Good Luck, Ira, KE5STP
W4PGM Rating: 2009-03-09
Just as advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After a number of suggestions and reading the eHam comments I decided on the 300W 7 band antenna. Installation made easier with a MFJ analyzer. The results mirror the website even though for my location 27' was the best overall height from using the MFJ.

KJ4ICB Rating: 2009-03-08
Great! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This antenna is a great choice I worked 197 DX and in 124 different countries during ARRL SSB weekend. I worked 10m 15m, 20m, 40m, 80m I did not use the clusters much at all, I mostly used the turn the VFO and listen. I found it had great RX and my TX power was pointed out more then once in BIG pile-ups where I broke through easy. This is just the start for the antenna, next test is the Boy Scouts and ARRL Field Day GOTA station.
W1JUS Rating: 2009-03-01
Failed after a while !!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I really hate to write this, but the balun failed
causing what seemed to a bad ground . This antenna
has given me fits since 8-08 & I wasted a lot of time checking my ground -- coax -- ect. It also fried the CI-V portion of my IC-7000. When I called Buckmaster they were very helpful & asked that I return the ant since they were aware of water problem with the balun.
When I put up my Alpha-Delta dipole up all my problems went away.
If U suddenly have "ground" problems -- STOP using
Buckmaster !!
WX4F Rating: 2009-03-01
EXCELLENT Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got the 8 band version; works GREAT on 160 with no tuner needed; SUPERB on 80, 40 and 20 with great signal reports from all over Europe. It hears very well, and if I can hear them I have been able to work them with high reliability since putting it up several months ago. SWR is typical less than 1.8 across most bands, except on 75 which rises to around 2.6 around 3900, but the antenna is only about 25 feet at center right now with ends around 5 feet; plan to raise it soon, so may help. 15 meters is over 3 to 1, so tuner needed there; however this antenna is the most broadband (over-all) high performer I have used in any wire antenna design. Very well built AND fast shipping!! It's a keeper; I may get a 2nd one!!
N1JMS Rating: 2009-03-01
Tough Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
We live right on Lake Erie and get lots of ice, snow and wind. This antenna takes it all in stride. It performs better than any other wire I have, even on 160 with a tuner.
K4JAR Rating: 2009-02-17
Great antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I live in an area where the salt air is so bad no metal antennas or towers can be used. I am 100 ft from the ocean and have been using home brew wire dipoles, since I am on salty sand they work pretty darn well. I compared the new Buckmaster 7 band 300 w OCF antenna I bought to my G5RV and 40 meter dipole.

The OCF is in a temporary set up, I want to raise it another 10 feet, currently at 25ft at the balun and 8 ft at each end. The directions say a 120° angle at the balun is best, mine is more like 160°.

I used my MFJ analyzer to show me the sweet spots on the antenna and I was amazed that my results are just about identical to the graph on the Buckmaster.com website for this antenna. I can use it without any tuner on all bands except 15m. I have to wonder if that is because I have it too low, raising it should help. 80m is wonderful, and it loves 20m and 40m.

The quality in the product is amazing, hurricanes will not hurt this antenna!!!

I paid $180 but I think it was well worth an extra $40-50 for the quality over what my home brew would have looked like and cost me to build, and who knows if it would work as well. Money well spent!
B8KUE Rating: 2008-12-08
Great antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the 7 band 300 watt version. It's up at 40 feet configured as an inverted 'V'. It works as advertised!!! I'm using an ICOM 746pro and an ICOM 7000. No tuner is needed for the 7 bands. I am able to use a tuner on 160M and the antenna actually gets out great on 160M. I am very please with the construction and how well it works.
WA2VEX Rating: 2008-09-27
CAN'T SAY ENOUGH! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two 40 foot masts. One had an 80 meter dipole the other a Buckmaster 40-6 OCF dipole. I wanted to get on 160 with a big signal so I took down the 80 and put up the 5kw version of the Radiowavz 160 double bazooka. (absolutely THEE best DB's in the biz). This left me with no coverage on 80.
SOLUTION? Sent the OCF dipole from Buckmaster back and for a nominal fee they upgraded it to 80-6.

I can't say enough about this thing. It's made out of the only wire I've ever used that won't kink. And the 3kw balun is the only one I've used that didn't saturate at 500 watts on 20. Construction is superb. Leave it up for life! It comes cut exactly to the tenth of an inch, don't even think about messing with it.

PERFORMANCE: Buckmaster recommends no tuner. My experience is it needs one on 80 but that could be the nature of the ground around here. (CLAY). For me it resonates just below the band but it's a very easy chore for the tuner and the signal reports on 80 are every bit as big as with the single band dipole. On the other bands the tuner is NOT needed. Every band falls right into the 1.3-1.7 to one range including 17 meters (you do the math, I can't balance my check book). I can't tell you the number of times I have jumped into a pileup on 20 and 0n the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd try cut right through. Most of my contacts begin with the words, "big signal Jim".

In conclusion, I have used multi-bands before and most of them aren't resonant on any frequency but they do "get you on the air". The Buckmaster is a whole different thing. This antenna gets you on the air WITHOUT the compromises you would have to accept from any other multi-band. Now I work 160-6 with a "band bully" signal and I do it with 2 antennas and no compromise in performance.

Last I checked they were around $260.00 Pricey? Not at twice the price. Buy it, you will love it.
W3VEX (formerly WA2VEX)