Also, your tune is kind of great, better than the 90 kHz bandwidth than claimed on 20. Curious, when I bought mine 10 years ago, it shipped with the wrong hardware if you can believe it. The u-bolts were a size too small. They had a LOT of QC issues 10 yrs ago. Did you run into any problems?
It is what it is mate, but using the tuner is way down the band for data. People stress too much over swr. Anything under 2.5 is fine, not ideal but safe
Assume you use it for FT8 at 14.070, 3:1 SWR. With a tuner. You're losing 25% ERP. So instead of 3.6 dB, you're getting 2.7 dB; and a dipole is 2.1 dB. At first, this looks kind of disappointing; and no doubt about it, it is. But, then consider the FTB of 20+dB. The noise floor drops by 3 bars on the S-meter from everything else except what your pointing at, and you still get a 70% increase in ERP with 2.7 db. Its still a win. I had one up for years until a tree took it out. Except for the fact they've doubled in price since 2012, its still a great deal. A beam, not a rig, makes your shack next level.
Both are very good antennas , and if you have never used a beam before, it takes some getting used to. Cobweb is multi directional, so what you see/hear is what you get. MA5B is directional, so you will always improve on RX and TX due to the gain. Once you get used to the beam, it's hands down a better antenna. I use an old hy-gain AR-40x, works very good
@@HAMLIFE-2E1TAP Do you think I could put it up on a eave mount that i used 6" lag bolts, only planning to go up 5 ft for rotor and another 5 ft up from teh rotor?
@@thomashenderson603 It's not a heavy antenna but the weight will be combined with rotator. If secures well, could sit nice above the eaves. Remember though, ease of access for swr and maintenance is always best
Also, your tune is kind of great, better than the 90 kHz bandwidth than claimed on 20. Curious, when I bought mine 10 years ago, it shipped with the wrong hardware if you can believe it. The u-bolts were a size too small. They had a LOT of QC issues 10 yrs ago. Did you run into any problems?
What a shame it's so narrow on 20m using the tuner is only fooling the user but really efficiency dips.
It is what it is mate, but using the tuner is way down the band for data. People stress too much over swr. Anything under 2.5 is fine, not ideal but safe
Assume you use it for FT8 at 14.070, 3:1 SWR. With a tuner. You're losing 25% ERP. So instead of 3.6 dB, you're getting 2.7 dB; and a dipole is 2.1 dB. At first, this looks kind of disappointing; and no doubt about it, it is. But, then consider the FTB of 20+dB. The noise floor drops by 3 bars on the S-meter from everything else except what your pointing at, and you still get a 70% increase in ERP with 2.7 db. Its still a win. I had one up for years until a tree took it out. Except for the fact they've doubled in price since 2012, its still a great deal. A beam, not a rig, makes your shack next level.
Great video mate,new subscriber after your cobweb video.73
Cheers Andy
hi i have the same cobweb as you and im thinking about getting a ma5b what do you think of them
Hi guys I'm trying to tune my ma5b and I'm struggling could anyone help me please I've followed the manual but still getting high swr
Is the Cushcraft better than the cob web, and what rotator did you use
Both are very good antennas , and if you have never used a beam before, it takes some getting used to.
Cobweb is multi directional, so what you see/hear is what you get.
MA5B is directional, so you will always improve on RX and TX due to the gain.
Once you get used to the beam, it's hands down a better antenna.
I use an old hy-gain AR-40x, works very good
Are you still liking the Ma5b? I’m thinking of getting one.
Yes, very much Thomas. I don't think you will be disappointed
@@HAMLIFE-2E1TAP Do you think I could put it up on a eave mount that i used 6" lag bolts, only planning to go up 5 ft for rotor and another 5 ft up from teh rotor?
@@thomashenderson603 It's not a heavy antenna but the weight will be combined with rotator. If secures well, could sit nice above the eaves.
Remember though, ease of access for swr and maintenance is always best
@@HAMLIFE-2E1TAP Thank you so much! I'm going to order one!
Hi, which rotor do you use for this ant?
Could you put a 1/2 wave vertical above it for say 10 m or 11 m CB
I have never tried, but I would say is possible. Trial and error my friend