Cushcraft is pleased to announce the introduction of the R8, it's newest multiband HF vertical antenna. This most contemporary of multiband vertical designs provides 8 band coverage encompassing the 6, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 30 and 40 meter bands.

Cushcraft has achieved a major breakthrough in the development of an HF multiband vertical antenna that has been specifically designed for use with a tuner and amplifier. As a result, the antenna more accurately addresses the needs of the contemporary ham shack.

Multiband vertical antennas have always been complicated designs with components as likely to be damaged by high levels of mismatched transmit power as the rigs they are attached to. Before the use of tuners became widespread, the antenna was protected by the same safety mechanisms that protected the rig. Now, the automatic power reduction circuits of of the past have actually become a second layer of protective circuitry. Although the auto-tuner provides the ham with a more versatile device as well as protecting the rig's components, the antenna is more vulnerable than ever. With the press of a button, unmanageably high loads can be transmitted up to the antenna. The result to the antenna can be catastrophic failure in some instances.

The R8 is the first multiband vertical designed for the rigors of contemporary operating conditions. Although the antenna is best operated within it's 2.0:1 VSWR bandwidth, it can sustain a 3.0:1 VSWR mismatch at full power for typical operating intervals. Now the ham can take full advantage of the versatility that a tuner used in conjunction with a multiband HF vertical antenna can give him.

Frequency, meters 6,10,12,15,17,20,30,40
Gain, dBi 3
VSWR 2:1 bandwidth, KHz 40m (150)
30m (>50)
20m (>350)
17m (>100)
15m (>450)
12m (>100)
10m (>1500)
6m (>1500)
VSWR at resonance (typical) 1.3:1
Power Rating, Watts CW 1500
Vertical Radiation angle, deg. 16
Horizontal rad, deg. 360
Height, ft(m) 28.5 max. (8.7)
Wind survival 80 mph
Weight, lb. (kg) 23 (10.5)