50 MHz 3 el Yagi-Uda ID query

[VE7MHI John D Erskine]

Hullo Folks,

I've recently received an as-new three element 50 MHz Yagi-Uda.

My benefactor has had it a "long time", claims it is from Hy-Gain, and
boasts 9 db.

It's been assembled and tuned, now taken down to the four tubes of boom
and elements.

Of Aluminum, nested tubes for elements with hose clamps to secure. All
tubes are open at the end.

Elements use a U-bolt to secure to boom. Boom has two large U-bolts to
secure to mast.

Gamma match, SO-239. The driven element U-bolt is foreshortened on one
arm to physically accommodate the Gamma match.

It appears to be a short boom model, this being about 7 feet in length.
(188 cm, 74")

I've beaten up the web attempting to find info about it, whether
advertising, a review, or an instruction sheet.

I can no doubt get it going as the owner was a radio tech/dealer, and
has placed a variety of electrical tape markings to aid in reassembly.

Any ideas of it's provenance?

Cheers es 73, John
--
John D Erskine
VE7MHI VA7OTC
CN88hk NA-036
Victoria, B.C.

[STEVE MCDONALD]

Hi John. I can’t seem to find any references to a 3el 6m design produced by Hy-Gain. Is it possible that the original owner may have mistaken it for the CUSHCRAFT design here?:

 

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0289/7782/3843/files/A50-3S.pdf?v=1586534151

 

 

Steve VE7SL

 

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From: 'VE7MHI <pnw...@googlegroups.com>
To: PNWVHFS <pnw...@googlegroups.com>
Date: Saturday, 24 January 2026 1:05 PM PST
Subject: [PNWVHFS] 50 MHz 3 el Yagi-Uda ID query

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[Stanley Beneveds]

John;

    I think you may find this was a cushcraft antenna.  I've enclosed the manual for it so you can be sure. MFJ was the cover company for both  Cushcraft and Hy-gain.  Hy-Gain made a 4 and a 6 element yagi for 6, while cushcraft made 3, 5,and 6 element antennas,for 6. I hope this helps. If you need more info on the other antennas, I also have the manuals for them.

73   KG7P  Stan...

[VE7MHI John D Erskine]

> Hullo Folks,
>
> I've recently received an as-new three element 50 MHz Yagi-Uda.
>
> My benefactor has had it a "long time", claims it is from Hy-Gain, and

> . . .

snip

Thank you Grant VE6TA, Dana VE3DS (WCWSA list), Steve VE7SL, Mike K7MDL,
and Stan KG7P (PNWVHFS list)!

It does indeed appear to be a Cushcraft A50-3S.

From traces of cutting I found the "J" shape of the driven element
securing U-bolt was likely owner made. A useful mod.

Missing are the three "U bolt bracket" and "backing plate" bits for all
three elements, so perhaps a less developed model (or less expensive
variant.)

I'll see how this assembles without them, or if I should look for
similar bits of hardware.

The dimensions were all close, only off a bit on the boom length.

Then from reviewing the manual I noted the boom is two pieces with a
hose-clamp-tightened joining tube in the middle (under the boom to mast
mount) which _is_ how this is set up. I'd not noticed that at first.

I passed a measuring tape end into the boom and it hooked/caught at
interesting spots (different distances from each end) inside, so perhaps
the boom inner edges are not quite butted up. Will mark current position
before having a look!

So it does appear to be a Cushcraft A50-3S and it should prove to be
useful for my primarily Rover / portable ops.

I'd been threatening all around me with building a Moxon for the last
several years, yet continued to use a dipole I'd made up as a temporary
thing over all this time. Something I know no one ever does. ; )

Now to see how little I need to disassemble to fit in the "ski" box
between 'tests/ops, and if I can stow it (assembled) on the roof rack
with the 144 MHz 9 el, when travelling between Grids.

Tnx all.

Cheers, John

[ralph lindberg]

I used the CC A50-3 for years as a mountain-topper, it's a great unit.


I actually still have it, slightly mangled by tree trash after a storm

Ralph

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