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World wide DX, multi-band, no tuner required, Off-Center-Fed (OCF) Dipole
Available as 300 Watt, 3,000 Watt, or 5,000 Watt. Also available as 6-Band, 7-Band or NEW 8-Band!
The magic is in the mathematical relationship between amateur bands. The chart below speaks for itself!
Click here for 7-Band, 135 ft. Frequency/SWR table.
8-Band OCF supports 160 meters! Click here for 8-Band OCF chart and Frequency/SWR table.
Some comments from our users:
Chosen by the 3YØX DXpedition to Peter I Island in Antarctica. (DXpedition web site)
Used aboard the 'DAP Mares' transport ship.
(Peter I DXPedition Members) (Bob K4UEE pointing to the Buckmaster OCF)
"...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 Buckmasters 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 product reviews.
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
3,000 Watt (top) and 300 Watt (bottom)
About the Buckmaster OCF Dipole
- 6-Band: 40, 20, 17, 12, 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.
No tuner or counterpoise required and using just one wire!
Some report success with: 160M, 60M, 30M, 15M and other frequencies with a tuner at reduced power (not recommended or guaranteed.)
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.
No trimming - fully assembled, complete with end insulators and crimped center and end connections. Add your 50 Ohm coaxial feed line, suspension rope (See the Synthetic Textiles web site) 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.
Problems of RF on the exterior (common-mode feed line currents) of the coaxial feed line have not been noticed or reported with this antenna. RF problems are generally due to coupling to house wiring, guy wires, downspouts, etc.
Integral PVC moisture drip ring shields and protects coaxial connection.
6 meters 50.0 through 51.750 MHz under 2.5 SWR!
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.)
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Installation Information
Installation Instruction Sheet These are the instructions that ship with the antennas.
Higher is not always better. An ideal angle is about 120 degrees (180 degrees being a horizontal flat top). If it is mounted too high off a tower it is very hard to get a 120 degree angle so mount it lower.
Appears to work 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 ends should be 8 feet or more from the ground for safety reasons.
Route coaxial feed line to the shack by running it to the ground and away from the antenna at a 90 degree angle as possible. The length of the feed line is not critical. Shorter is usually better.
Use good quality 50 ohm coaxial cable such as: RG58, RG8X, RG8, RG213, 9913, or LMR400. A coax with a dense (or double) braid is worth the money. Don't loose that weak signal in the coax!
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Ordering Information
One (1) year full satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Guarantee not offered if antenna is stretched or over-powered.
Quantity on hand varies, order now to reserve your antenna.
We are currently experiencing a two to four week wait time from time of order to the actual antenna shipping. We operate on a "first come, first served" basis in order to be fair to everyone. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
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. Shipping via UPS Ground to continental US addresses (usually around $10-$12), Airmail Parcel Post to International destinations.
For antennas shipped outside the USA, we ship USPS Airmail Parcel Post. These shipments can take a long time, and some are lost, so 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.
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Buckmaster Antennas
6196 Jefferson Highway
Mineral, Virginia 23117 USA
540:894-5777
800:282-5628 (Orders)
540:894-9141 (Fax)
Email: info@buck.com
168434 hits since March 20, 2006
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