Buckmaster OCF Dipole Antennas work multiple bands and are made from the best quality materials. They have no external connectors and a permanently sealed white PVC weatherproof center enclosure containing the potted autotransformer acting as 6:1 voltage balun. Designed to give you years of trouble-free service, they are shipped ready to go with no trimming or assembly required and are available with 100, 300, or 3,000 Watt baluns and are offered in 4, 7, or 8 band lengths.
About power ratings: To work 4, 7, or 8 different bands on one length of wire we use a custom 6:1 balun. The 6:1 balun does a great job of matching but is subject to heating up with sustained usage at higher SWRs. So, it is important to buy an antenna with a balun that is rated at a higher power than what you will actually transmit. As a general rule of thumb:
100 Watt baluns support 100 Watts with 1:1 SWR, 50 Watts with 2:1 SWR, 33 Watts with 3:1 SWR, and so on. So they are for QRP work, not standard 100W transceivers.
300 Watt baluns support 300 Watts with 1:1 SWR, 150 Watts with 2:1 SWR, and 100 Watts at 3:1 SWR. This is why our 300 Watt models are a good match for 100W transceivers on the supported bands.
3,000 Watt baluns support a theoretical 3,000 Watts with 1:1 SWR, 1,500 Watts with 2:1 SWR, and 1,000 Watts at 3:1 SWR. 3,000 Watt models are needed if you run over 100 Watts, but the SWR numbers can also be better than 300W models in some cases, so you will be heard better. See our measured SWR numbers in the 4-Band, 7-Band, and 8-Band descriptions below.
Buckmaster OCF Dipole Antennas are a great simple way to get on the air and work multiple bands! They are shipped ready to go, all you have to do is screw in your coax and raise the antenna in the air. We have had many satisfied customers since 2004!
An installation environment clear of long metal objects. THIS CAN BE IMPORTANT FOR ANTENNA PERFORMANCE. Long metal objects include metal poles, buildings, other antennas, towers, house wiring, fences, or gutters. Metal objects can be resonant on a band the antenna supports and interfere with RF coming to/from the antenna. Multi-band antennas work on many frequencies so there is greater chance that nearby metal may be resonant one or more of the bands. If you must install the OCF near metal objects, a minimum 10 feet separation is suggested. We do not recommend hanging the Buckmaster OCF Antennas from a metal tower unless you have a least a 10' standoff and/or hang the balun enclosure down from a 10'+ piece of rope and use the legs of the antenna to pull the balun enclosure away from the antenna. Having the Buckmaster OCF close to a metal mast or tower very often results in poor SWR on one or more bands! However, despite the above warning, metal near an antenna is not guaranteed to cause problems. It depends on whather that metal is resonant on a band the antenna supports. Usually the only way to know is to try, so it's best to have a backup install plan.Something non-metal to hang the center from, such as a tree branch, non-metallic pole, or a "messenger line", a rope stretched tight between two supports such as trees. Due to the weight of the balun, you must hang the antenna from the stainless steel eyebolt on the balun, you shouldn't hang the antenna from the ends alone. Tree branches must be trimmed so they do not contact the wire; the wire is tough and flexible but tree branches will gradually rub the insulation off and allow water inside, which will cause SWR to rise.Enough ground space for the antenna. Our antennas are designed and tested to operate in a straight line as viewed from above. Not having the antenna in a straight line will have negative performance impacts. A 4-Band OCF is 68 feet long, 7-Band is 135 feet long, and 8-band is 270 feet long. For small lots: with the antenna legs sloping down at the minimum 120 degree angle the 4-Band antennas need at least 60 feet of ground space from end-to-end, 7-Band antennas need at least 120 feet of ground space, and 8-Band antennas need 239 feet of ground space. If you don't have enough ground space, you will either have to try a different type of antenna or accept lower performance from bending the legs.Good quality 50 Ohm coaxial cable with appropriate power rating. Good coax such as: RG58, RG8X, RG8, RG213, Belden 9913F7, Davis RF Bury-Flex, or LMR-400. A coax with a dense (or double) braid is worth the money. Don't lose that weak signal in the coax!
I have purchased numerous items over the years - both new and used. Everything I have ordered has ALWAYS BEEN WELL PACKED and received promptly. Never an issue with anything I’ve purchased from MTC! Well done.
Bill N2NKP
I have Been dealing with MTC for about 14 years. I have always been helped and treated well. Great access to equipment I wanted or needed with good pricing. I think I may have put one of the kids thru school. This may be one of the last of the best family oriented businesses you can find today. Go see them.
Quick response and I got my radio within days! Packaging was very neat and even the building manager was impressed!
Very responsive, honest, friendly, best deals I have found. Always address any problems or concerns.
MTC Radio is one of my go to sites. Most of the time they beat the Competition on price. And they run specials all the time. Great place to do business!!!
Always go above and beyond for the customer. You know we wish you were open on Friday and Saturday and closer to the metro.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate your support and hope to serve you even better in the future. We hear you about the hours and location, and we'll keep your feedback in mind. Call us, we will be glad to meet you at the store on Friday, Saturday or even Sunday afternoon if we are in town. Thanks for being a great customer!
I have had only the best service from your company. I have bought two HF units from you in the past and always have gotten the fastest and best service. Thanks
Great experience buying my Kenwood TM-D750A from MTC Radio
I recently purchased a Kenwood TM-D750A from MTC Radio and couldn't be happier with the whole process. The order shipped quickly — much faster than I expected for a radio of this class — and it arrived well packed and in perfect condition.
What really stood out was the communication. I got prompt, clear updates from the time I placed the order through delivery, and any questions I had were answered by people who clearly know the equipment they sell. It's obvious MTC Radio is run by hams for hams, and that shows in how they treat their customers.
The radio itself is fantastic, and I'm already on the air with it. If you're shopping for Kenwood gear, I'd recommend MTC Radio without hesitation. I'll be back for my next purchase. 73, W4DSO
I've been shopping with MTC radio for about ten years and can recommend their products and services without qualification. As a customer they have generously dealt with my own quirks and they still manage to have great pricing and support!
This was the first used items, GPA100, I ever purchased from MTC. But as per usual, it exceeded my expectations.
Thanks much!
MTC is a great place to buy your ham & electronic equipment. Their prices are very reasonable and their customer service is beyond 5 stars. I love supporting a family business.
I live in Washington State and MTC RADIO is my go to Ham Radio dealer. Richard and company offer top notch customer service and are a true Mom & pop business. These are the types of businesses we as hams need to support . I’m proud to be part of the MTC RADIO family!
Sincerely
Greg Oyler
Ran across MTC nearly 20 years ago at Orlando Hamcation. I purchased a radio, and even though they were busy with other customers they took time to make me feel I was their only customer at the time. I've purchased several radios over time and always make my purchase from MTC. Quick shipping and that same feeling of personal service from a family operated small business that has grown much larger since my first purchase from them at Hamcation. Why buy anywhere else?
de KU8Q
Cheerful, honest and sincere. Very knowledgeable about the equipment. When they say they will be in touch with you they do their best. I have been dealing with them for many years and I have always been satisfied. Thank you
Have bought from you in the early days of your store. On many occasions I have recommended your store to my Ham friends. Will continue to do so. Would love to come to your store again though I can’t make a day trip out of it.
Even used, Motorola makes fine equipment. MTC had exactly what I was looking wanting for a ham handheld. Their on line description was true to fact. The radio I purchased is working like a charm. Thanks MTC.
MTC personnel made all our interactions a pleasure. It was a pleasure doing business with them. I have no suggestions that will improve MTC's already excellent work.
Richard and Christine are a married couple with a very nice family that they openly share with us, their customers. They are straightforward and honest. In the world of big business they do a very competitive business against businesses many times their size. They are personable and very willing to assist with any of your needs and they also take trade ins if you need help with the monetary side of a purchase. I myself have traded and made many purchases from them over the years. If you don’t see what you want on their website , give them a call and they will do their best to help you in any way possible.
Worked with Richard on a small problem with my Taurus amp. He took care of the problem quickly. I love my Taurus!
Dealing with Richard and MTC has been a great experience. They have been friendly and supportive when I needed them to hold on my Amp when I had to travel and couldn't be home to receive it and work with me on several payments until I made up the whole price of the unit. Meeting them in person is like greeting an old friend and they are just as personable in the flesh as they are on the phone and emails. Great Folks!
What a home grow ham store should be treats all people like family and makes deals that his wife should beat him for making..
The deals that can be had at MTC are the best around without exaggeration. So much so I've purchased my last 6 radios from them! A FTM500D, FT70D, VX6R, IC2730B, BCD536HP2 and a SDS200, all with big discounts depending on the time of year purchased. Love the regular communication the owners have with everyone through their newsletters and so on. We're always in the loop of what's going on and current specials. A++
