Overview
The Cushcraft 124WB Boomer was a 4-element broadband 2-meter Yagi antenna designed for amateur radio operation in the 144–148 MHz VHF band. Manufactured by Cushcraft Corporation, the antenna was intended for fixed-station use and provided directional performance for local VHF communications, repeater work, weak-signal operation, and amateur radio contesting.
The 124WB Boomer was part of Cushcraft’s VHF beam antenna product line and was designed to provide broadband coverage across the entire 2-meter amateur band without requiring retuning.
Technical Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | 124WB Boomer |
| Manufacturer | Cushcraft Corporation |
| Type | 4-element broadband 2-meter Yagi |
| Frequency Range | 144–148 MHz |
| Forward Gain | 10.2 dBd |
| Front-to-Back Ratio | 19 dB |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| E Plane Beamwidth | 60 degrees |
| H Plane Beamwidth | 83 degrees |
| Connector Type | SO-239 |
| VSWR Bandwidth | 5.5 MHz typical |
| Mounting | Horizontal or vertical mast mount |
| Maximum Mast Diameter | 2 inches |
| Wind Area | 0.34 sq ft |
| Weight | 3 lbs |
| Construction | Aluminum with stainless steel hardware |
Physical Description
The 124WB Boomer used a lightweight aluminum boom with four elements mounted progressively shorter from reflector to director. The antenna incorporated a driven element with a T-match feed system and SO-239 coaxial connector.
The compact design allowed mounting on masts up to 2 inches in diameter. Cushcraft also provided stacking dimensions for dual-antenna installations to increase gain. Recommended spacing dimensions were 72 inches for E-plane stacking and 56 inches for H-plane stacking.
History
During the 1980s, Cushcraft produced a wide range of VHF and UHF amateur radio beam antennas aimed at both casual operators and serious VHF enthusiasts. The 124WB Boomer was designed as a broadband 2-meter Yagi capable of covering the entire amateur 2-meter band with low VSWR and directional gain.
The antenna was marketed toward operators seeking improved performance over omnidirectional vertical antennas, particularly for repeater operation, weak-signal contacts, and simplex communications.