MA6B antenna: Where the manual lets you down

[@wcoulson1]

Thank you for your video. I was having a very hard time tuning this antenna. I telephoned MFJ/Cushcraft several times for guidance but the man was no help as he apparently knows little about the product. He needs training on customer service. I cannot help but wonder why MFJ has continued to issue a bad assembly manual and has offered no training to their employees. Your measurements called out in the video have proven very help and now allow use of the antenna.

[@collieclone]

As I said in my email to you, I'm glad I was able to help and wish you luck with the antenna. 73, Colin

[@tglenn3121]

We normally use 'hose clamps' here in California. I'm an American and I had NO clue what a worm clamp is until you clarified. it.

[@collieclone]

Thanks for confirming that. Wonder where they got the expression worm clamp from?!

[@wcoulson1]

@@collieclone I suppose from the screw that "worms" through the band LOL

[@dalenielsen5366]

Thanks for the video! I will assembling mine in a few weeks and this will help. I saw the final antenna on your QRZ page, and have a question for you. Did you make your antenna mast and rotator cage? if so, what size pipe did you use?

[@collieclone]

Hi Dale, glad that the video has helped you. I bought the antenna mast and rotator cage from a radio amateur supplier here in Scotland, MM0CUG, so I'm afraid I cannot help you with dimensions. Good luck with the antenna - I'm sure you'll enjoy it once it's up there! 73, Colin, GM4JPZ

[@N4JAB]

Do you figure they've fixed the problems in their manual by now? Do you still like the antenna? Considering purchasing it over an A4S for its extra bands and more compact size. Thanks, 73 N4JAB.

[@collieclone]

Hi Joe, knowing MFJ, probably not, so you just have to muddle your way through I'm afraid. I'm not familiar with the A4S, but can say the MA6B is a useful antenna as long as you don't need a lot of bandwidth on 20 and 10m. (Have to admit, maybe my problems in that area are down to my own "muddling" though, but so far nobody has corrected me.) Good luck, 73, Colin

[@N4JAB]

@@collieclone I am a fairly new HF operator, completely new to beam antennas. I am a tool and die maker, so if making a new, longer piece of aluminum tubing is necessary, that will not be a huge issue. I have seen a pattern of people having to work on or modify the cushcraft products.

[@collieclone]

@@N4JAB In that case, welcome to HF, Joe. It will probably not be necessary to actually make any new elements, but the measurements of how much to insert tubes into others are - or at least _were_ - randomly wrong in the manual. I'm no expert, but would say that the overall length of the element should be your aim to get right, as long as the lengths on both sides of the element are symmetrical to the boom. You can contact me by email, which you'll find under gm4jpz on qrz.com

[@collieclone]

Although I thanked him on my QRZ page, I should also say here that Brian, GI0RWO, was the first to make a video regarding the MA6B measurements. I am very grateful to him for stopping me thinking I was getting it all wrong!

[@pedroatanasio-sr5sz]

I just asked KZbin to play Montero by Lil Nas x why the fuck am I watching this😂😂😂

[@collieclone]

For enlightenment and knowledge about amateur radio antennas. Time well spent😆

[@andythebrave]

Cornelius can you send me your notes please as im configuring the antenna at the moment de m0nst

[@collieclone]

Hi Andrew, sorry but I don't have any more notes left other than the info I've put into the video. If you follow the corrected lengths as I describe around 3'34" you should do OK. The antenna itself is quite forgiving and fairly broad-banded so should work great. 73, Colin (my KZbin name changes frequently!)