HamCall.net
Google Translate:
 Shopping Cart
Products
Auctions
HamCall DVD
Owner Benefits
Software Features
Subscriptions
HamCall FAQ
Third-party support
User Opinions
Order HamCall
HamCall Member Benefits
HamCall Gold Passwords
HCLog
OCF Dipole Antennas
7-Band OCF
4-Band OCF
8-Band OCF
Features
Installation
Ordering
Reviews
FAQ
PL259 Connectors
Antenna Support Rope
Stainless Pulleys
Line-Grip
Wire Winders
RF Chokes 
Great Circle Maps
Name Badges
CQ Magazine Archives
Cryptography Book
Club Discounts
Dealer Discounts
Return Address Labels
Services
DXSpots
New Callsign Notification
VEC Renewals/Mods
Mailing Lists
Return Address Labels
73 Archive Search
Callsign Database
Advertising Banners
Browser Search Blank
Callsign Server
Field Search
Mailing Lists
New Callsign Notification
Top Callsigns
Most Wanted Callsigns
Add/Update Callsign
HamCall DX Spots
Best Station Photos
Browse QSLs
HamCall FAQ
HTML Lookup Code
About/Contact
 Facebook
 Twitter
Advertising Banners
About HamCall
Contact Us
Search site
(Not a callsign search)
|
Buckmaster World wide DX, multi-band, no tuner required, Off-Center-Fed (OCF) Dipole Antennas
- 4-Band: 40, 20, 10, & 6 meters. 68 feet (23+45) long.
- 7-Band: 75/80, 40, 20, 17, 12, 10, & 6 meters. 135 feet (45+90) long.
- 8-Band: 160, 75/80, 40, 20, 17, 12, 10, & 6 meters. 270 feet (90+180) long.
The magic is in the mathematical relationship between amateur bands. The charts below speak for themselves!
4-Band OCF Antennas 
Our 4-Band antennas cover 40, 20, 10, and 6 meters, with no tuner required! 12 meters may also work on the 4-Band 300 watt model. The 4-Band antennas are OCF (off-center-fed), with a 23 foot leg and a 45 foot leg, totaling 68 feet.
7-Band OCF Antennas 
Our 7-Band antennas cover 80, 40, 20, 17, 12, 10, and 6 meters, with no tuner required! Wire antennas are a great simple way to work 40M and 80M rather than a noisy vertical antenna that requires horizontal radials. Our 7-Band antennas are OCF (off-center-fed), with a 45 foot leg and a 90 foot leg, totaling 135 feet.
8-Band OCF Antennas 
Most of the information for 7-Band antennas applies to our 8-Band antennas. Balun construction is the same, the antenna just has more wire. A tuner may be needed for 160 meters.
Click here for 8-Band OCF information, SWR chart and Frequency/SWR table.
Some comments from our users:
Chosen by the 3YØX DXpedition to Peter I Island in Antarctica.
Used aboard the 'DAP Mares' transport ship.
Photo of Peter I DXPedition Members Photo of Bob K4UEE pointing to the Buckmaster OCF Antenna
"...its amazing that just two carefully selected lengths of wire can work that well on five [really 7] bands." - Kent, WA5VJB (CQ, January, 2006, p70)
"...works great, I'm impressed, tunes 160m with tuner [not recommended], worked stations on all bands, outstanding quality construction." - WC4N
Chosen by KC4AUF leader of the 2004 Tangier Island DXpedition. "Superb design (no tuner), quality manufacture and booming all band signals." - KC4AUF
"It sure is great to have a relatively flat SWR with no tuner all across those six bands! Thanks for a good-quality product! I speak well of it to my friends." - K3TED
"Purchased OCF 3KW antenna. Works fantastic, best dipole I've ever used! Not only am I able to hear DX from around the world, I'm able to work anything I hear." - John, K6LLK
"Great signal on both ends of QSO. It is good to get products and service that deliver as, or better than, advertised." - KA4AQN
"These things are built like a tank! ... This is the finest wire antenna I've ever used. Just cannot recommend it enough." - KB0QMF (at eham.net)
"Liked it so much I bought a second one. The Buckmaster's are definitely worth the money." - K3VV (at eham.net)
"Absolutely the best dipole I have owned or tried. Superior to the Windom. Would buy another product from them again without questions." - KC4QH (at eham.net)
"Fine construction and resonant on all advertised bands. I am very pleased with it compared to several previous Radio Works Carolina Windom ANTs." - N9VV (at eham.net)
"After playing around with numerous wire antennas for the last 40 years in amateur radio, I am impressed with the construction and simplicity of installation. The real bonus is that the performance is as advertised." - Gene, K4COH
"I installed the OCF Dipole that I bought last week. I just wanted to tell you that I am very pleased!! It was an easy installation, and the SWR is great on all bands. The signal reports I have gotten are excellent, and the receive is even better. Thanks for a great antenna. I will recommend it any time." Cordially, Jim Davis N0DNY
"As proof of the efficiency of the Buckmaster antenna, I worked the VP6DX Ducie DXpedition on 80meteres with only 2.5watts with my FT-817 QRP rig. The VP6DX is 5248 miles away so that equates to 2099.2 miles per watt." - Tony KC4AUF
See the eHam.net user reviews for the 7-Band 3,000
eHam.net user reviews for the 7-Band 300
eHam.net user reviews for the 4-Band 300
|
Read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
7-Band 3,000 Watt (top) and 300 Watt (bottom)
About the Buckmaster OCF Dipole
In production since early 2004
No tuner or counterpoise required, uses just one wire!
Quickly switch bands and eliminate a tuner as one more thing to adjust or transport. Eliminate send/receive tuner loss.
Due to the fact that one wire leg of the antenna is shorter than the other, the OCF is more convenient to erect than a regular center fed dipole. Less coax is required.
We have used an antenna electrically equivalent to this for over 7 years with outstanding results.
Short wave listeners will love this antenna because of its low noise reception.
Check the SWR always BEFORE using with any antenna tuner (we don't recommend an antenna tuner). It only takes overheating the Ferrite in the balun one time to change its characteristics.
The dipole is constructed using top quality, flexible, tinned, 12 gauge, 65 strand, PVC coated copper wire pictured below.
**The 7-band 100 Watt antenna uses 14 gauge 38 strand wire of similar quality.
No trimming - fully assembled, complete and ready to go with end insulators and crimped center and end connections. Add your 50 Ohm coaxial feed line, suspension rope (see our OCF Antenna Support Rope) and go.
No external hardware to loosen or corrode.
Bands, power, height and other identification are clearly and permanently engraved on the exterior of the center insulator. Operation outside those bands are at your own risk and can likely overheat the balun! We inscribe the antenna with the bands and maximum wattage (in any mode) it can handle.
Problems of RF on the exterior (common-mode feed line currents) of the coaxial feed line have not been experienced and seldom reported with this antenna. RF problems are generally due to coupling to house wiring, guy wires, downspouts, etc. Any resonant length of metal can rob signal from any antenna, so study your environment and keep the antenna away from metal.
Integral PVC moisture drip ring shields and protects coaxial connection (not present on 100 Watt version due to space considerations.)
The 300 to 50 Ohm (6:1) balun (also sometimes called an auto-transformer), is sealed in permanent black epoxy potting compound for moisture and corrosion free operation and is internally crimped and hard soldered to a beryllium copper silvered pin, Teflon barrel, SO-239 coaxial connector.
Your PL-259 and coax go here (see photo below).
Heavy duty stainless 1/4 inch center threaded, cemented with lock nut eyebolt supports the off center insulator for years of trouble free service. The off center insulator has a special drip collar to protect the SO-239 coaxial connector, yet lets moisture evaporate.
Complete with permanently sealed white PVC off center weatherproof insulator containing the potted balun and crimped on gray end insulators. Suspension rope and coaxial feed line not included, see our OCF Antenna Support Rope, Stainless Steel Pulleys, and Line Grips.
|
Installation Information
Installation Instruction Sheet: Word DOC Adobe PDF. These are the instructions that ship with the antennas.
Usually works best as an "inverted-V." Erecting at least 30 feet above ground is recommended. Each end can droop up to 30 degrees from horizontal, 180-(2*30)=120 degrees total is ideal, but anything from 120 to 180 degrees should work well. Ends should be 8 feet or more from the ground for safety reasons.
Higher is not always better. If the center is mounted too high off a tower it is very hard to get a 120 degree angle, so mount it lower.
If you don't have anything to hang the center from, consider using a 'messenger line' between two supports (trees, etc.) consisting of a run of good quality, UV protected rope with a pulley at one support. Tie the OCF balun along this line in a spot that works for you (and will allow the balun to be reached from the ground) and run the coax away at a ninety degree angle (as possible). This takes tension off of the antenna legs and the pulley at one support makes it easy to take things down for service or inspection (be sure the rope is long enough). Also be sure to make allowances for support trees swaying in the wind by using a weighted gallon milk jug or two and a pulley to handle the movement of the tree supports.
We recommend using rope and a pulley to hang the center balun, so the antenna can be easily lowered for access to connectors etc.
Coupling to nearby metallic objects and the mineralization of the underlying soil can impact performance and impedance of an OCF antenna system. The impedance can also vary as antenna orientation is changed in relationship to earth. The OCF is generally very forgiving.
The balun will test as a short when testing using a DC Ohm meter and will test correctly at RF frequencies when erected and using an antenna analyzer. So use an analyzer or your transceiver's SWR meter at reduced power.
Route coaxial feed line to the shack by running it down to the ground (not tied to a metallic structure or tower) and away from the antenna at a 90 degree angle as possible. The length of the feed line is not critical as the coax is NOT part of the radiating antenna. Shorter is usually better.
Use good quality 50 Ohm coaxial cable with appropriate power rating such as: RG58, RG8X, RG8, RG213, Belden 9913F7, Davis RF Bury-Flex. A coax with a dense (or double) braid is worth the money. Don't lose that weak signal in the coax!
Verify your coax and connectors (switches, etc) by temporarily installing a 50 Ohm dummy load instead of the OCF and checking SWR from the transceiver end.
ALWAYS physically disconnect the OCF coax from equipment and securely ground both conductors when you are finished operating. Better to lose an antenna to lightning rather than a transceiver!
|
Warranty and Returns
One (1) year unconditional warranty against defects. We will repair or exchange your antenna within the first year of ownership. Warranty not offered if antenna is stretched, over-powered, operated with high SWR, or operated on non-supported bands. Our OCF antennas support the bands inscribed on the balun case.
30 Day return privlege. You may return your antenna within 30 days in "as new" condition for a full refund of the antenna purchase price (less shipping.)
Before returning any antenna, please talk to us at the phone number below. It is extremely rare we get a defective antenna back, problems are usually due to a bad coax connector or a resonant length of metal in the vicinity. We also ask you include this RMA form with your antenna so we know who sent it and why.
|
Ordering Information
Shipping weight is estimated at 6 pounds for the 300 Watt, 8 pounds for the 3,000 Watt, and 10 pounds for the 5,000 Watt. 8-Band antennas have a lot more wire, and weigh about 11 pounds. We ship via UPS Ground to continental US addresses, the UPS cost is usually around $17.00-$22.00. If you can ship to a business address that saves several dollars.
For antennas shipped outside the USA, we ship USPS Priority Mail International, the cost starts around $67.00. These shipments can take a long time and we insure each shipment for the full value of the antenna. Please check this page to see if full insurance is offered on shipments to your country (click on your country name, look for the section that mentions "Insurance.") If insurance for the full cost of the antenna is not offered, we will not be able to ship an antenna to you! If possible, ship the antenna to a country where insurance is offered.
To order an antenna, click one of the following links:
Our 4-Band antennas are 68 feet (20 meters) long and works on 40, 20, 10, & 6 meters.
Order 4-Band 300 Watt OCF Dipole Antenna: $267 Special Price: $203! (6 or more = $160 ea.)
Order 4-Band 3,000 Watt OCF Dipole Antenna: $387 Special Price: $294 (6 or more = $232 ea.)
Order 4-Band 5,000 Watt OCF Dipole Antenna: $598 Special Price: $455 (6 or more = $359 ea.)
Our 7-Band antennas are 135 feet (41 meters) long and works on 80, 40, 20, 17, 12, 10, and 6 meters.
Order 7-Band 100 Watt OCF Dipole Antenna: $262 Special Price: $199 (6 or more = $157 ea.)
Order 7-Band 300 Watt OCF Dipole Antenna: $273 Special Price: $207 (6 or more = $163 ea.)
Order 7-Band 3,000 Watt OCF Dipole Antenna: $394 Special Price: $299 (6 or more = $236 ea.)
Order 7-Band 5,000 Watt OCF Dipole Antenna: $605 Special Price: $460 (6 or more = $362 ea.)
Our 8-Band antennas are 270 feet (82 meters) long and works on 160 (tuner may be required), 80, 40, 20, 17, 12, 10, & 6 meters.
Order 8-Band 300 Watt OCF Dipole Antenna: $357 Special Price: $272 (6 or more = $214 ea.)
Order 8-Band 3,000 Watt OCF Dipole Antenna: $476 Special Price: $362 (6 or more = $285 ea.)
Order 8-Band 5,000 Watt OCF Dipole Antenna: $682 Special Price: $518 (6 or more = $409 ea.)
View Shopping cart or go to Checkout
For help in erecting your OCF antenna, see our Antenna Support Rope, Line Grips, PL-259 connectors, and Stainless Steel Pulleys.
|
Buckmaster Antennas
6196 Jefferson Highway
Mineral, Virginia 23117 USA
540:894-5777
800:282-5628 (Orders)
540:894-9141 (Fax)
Email: info@buck.com
168488 hits since
|
