Cushcraft 13B2 VHF yagi 2 meter VHF SSB/FM/CW 144mhz antenna

[@Sky1]

I bought two of these several years ago when they were on sale for $139 each. I bought a custom made phasing harness from M2, he helped me with spacing and measurements. I have them horizontally polarized and have been using them for years. I am able to hit nearby repeaters fine and get 300-500 miles on 2 meter sideband groundwave without tropo.

[@freeamerican6784]

I purchased my Cushcraft 13B2 back in 1994 and I still use it in 2021. I had to replace one broken element in all those years and it's been through some mean winter wind storms over the years in Eastern Washington state, and it's now being used in East central Florida..... Not sure about the quality today of a new 13B2 but back in 1994 this antenna was one of the best two meter antennas ever made IMO.

[@1OFGODSOWN]

I have worked from here in North Florida to Cuba, Puerto Rico,North and South Dakota,Kansas, Canada and many other states with a Cushcraft 215WB at 61 ft with 100 watts.

[@fevo69]

Very Nice. I have the Cushcraft A124WB, that I used when the conditions in VHF FM open to Cuba.

[@marknormankn4cwt619]

Great video. I'm a newly licensed ham, can't wait for part 2, 73, KN4CWT

[@RoadTripEddie]

Strange why the last few lengths were different, makes a person wonder why. Great Vid. :-)

[@Knarf14]

Wow , thought i was only DT fan into ham radio , nice

[@shadeshiest22]

nice antenna, cant wait for pt. 2

[@paulmayo3703]

Great MFJ quality assurance. 2 extra elements and a few were not properly cut to length

[@mikemcdonald5147]

just bought the 17b2 so hope it works as well as suggested :) got the 719b for uhf hopefully get them put together and up on the tower so i can reach out and touch someone

[@1OFGODSOWN]

TERRIBLE materials in a 17B2.I had one before MFJ bought the company and the support arms both broke like toothpicks.A 215WB is a better antenna than either.

[@peterjones3245]

Best to insulate the elements from the boom. With 2m losses occur along the boom from the elements in electrical contact with it. The "no insulation" approach is to keep costs down...

[@macrominutes]

Do you just put rubber between them? What's the best approach for insulation?

[@RollerCam]

Yes, those plastic insulators are a real profit killer. : )

[@andreyanart148]

Additional special like for the Dream Theater t-shirt! 73! EU1RC.

[@3TQVK]

Hi Eric, really enjoy your videos, big fan, Pete VK3TQ ex Amateur Radio Product manager Icom Australia

[@jakebrodskype]

Nice presentation. A bit wordy, but nice. At VHF frequencies and above, it usually isn't a good idea to discuss SWR. The reason is that because the transmission line losses can be significant, discussing SWR is not helpful. Instead, discuss the antenna in terms of return loss. A 2:1 SWR is equal to a return loss of approximately 10 dB. So if your cable loss is 5 dB you could have mismatch of as much as 3.5:1 at the antenna and it would look like a 2:1 match. A 2:1 match would look like 1.43:1. So where does the difference go? It is lost in the coax. Also, little losses add up. That SO-239? Use an N-Connector instead. I also highly recommend sealing that connector very well. Sunlight will destroy a lot of seals and water will creep in to the tiniest places and slowly degrade your coax. If you invested real money in that coax, consider spending a bit more and covering it up with a sealant. Even Electrician's putty is better than nothing. I used to alternate layers between a role of electric tape and Scotchkote 33. Good Luck!

[@HamRadioConcepts]

My next video i am making is discussing the new feedline i have on it. Messi and Paoloni hyperflex 10, way better than the LMR400 i have used.

[@jakebrodskype]

Don't believe anyone's specifications. MEASURE IT. Get a dummy load, and a watt meter, measure the power between the transmitter and the coax and then measure it between the coax and the dummy load. You should see a loss. I have not heard of this vendor before now. For all I know, they might be pretty good. But I am always wary about extraordinarily good claims. Perhaps their dielectric materials and braid coverage really are that good. But I need proof before I believe in a spec that good. Antennas and transmission lines have been the subject of many snake oil sales attempts. Tread with care. 73, DE AB3A

[@1OFGODSOWN]

CAUTION:If you can keep water out they work great but it’s impossible with the humidity here in North Florida.I have owned 2 sets and no matter what I could not keep water out of the black box.I replaced mine with a Cushcraft 215WB & it kicks a 13B2 to sleep and is not affected by weather.

[@angelcaa_8863]

Can you show a picture of the distance between elements to elements Please ? Thank you sir .

[@eleanorhathaway927]

When you said vertical for FM and horizontal for sideband are you referring to the antenna itself (the direction of the elements) or the polarisation?

[@3TQVK]

Vertical polarisation (FM) Horizontal Polarisation for SSB. No reference to fields, these great video's reach to all hams, not armchair theorists

[@jerryfallin7808]

Can it be mounted verticle? I have a possible high wind area close to the coast. Thanks

[@kd5you1]

This antenna can be mounted vertical or horizontal.

[@GTGallop]

Holy Schnikeys! Awesome antenna. I didn't catch the price or if the elements are insulated from the boom?

[@vonzigle]

Greg Gallop Don't know the price, but the elements are not insulated from the boom...

[@322doug]

on the general exam it tells you if you use a match there is NO need for insulators from elements to boom @@vonzigle

[@moonjockclark9491]

How do you install a pigtail with spade connectors

[@wlaukaitis]

Thumbs up for the t shirt

[@shadeshiest22]

how did you loose your eye btw???

[@HamRadioConcepts]

BB gun

[@322doug]

@@HamRadioConcepts lol as teen ager we would chase each other in our cars shooting at each other like the hot pursuit in the movies...small town and you know "young Dumb And full of ….. "

[@outlaw6595]

I wish I had this bad boy.

[@samuelsmith6573]

Beatcop 49 buy your own - don't covet his! But yeah they are awesome antennas!

[@outlaw6595]

Samuel Smith If I really wanted it, I'd buy it.

[@weatherdevil9029]

2M propagation is *ALWAYS* there, you just need proper feeder and a preamp with that antenna

[@bblankboyfadly8879]

where to buy or order this antenna

[@bstelly]

Its cool to see a fan of DreamTheater where you'd least expect it. Also, what's your drum setup? Great channel! 73

[@michaelmullins9874]

What size Rotor should I use with this antenna?

[@1OFGODSOWN]

TV Rotor is all it needs.

[@tittiger]

For the price I would have sent it back if the elements were not the right length.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Still using it to this day, lately I have been getting some 900 mile contacts across the southeast USA on 2 meter SSB

[@GrandPoppyA]

Who is the jerk that gave this a thumbs down?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

HAH! He's a troll that does it on every video, and comments some crappy stuff

[@mcdeadsquirrel]

You know, I always wondered about that, too....who could give this a down thumb? Some momo hockey puck? These vids are great and take a lot of work to put together!!! I love them!!

[@tittiger]

PArt 2 is well hidden....