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write your own review of the Force 12 C3SS.
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W1RME
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 12, 2009 23:53
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Extremely Happy Camper
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I put the C3SS up in 2002 on a 2 story house with a Glenn Martin 8 foot tripod and 9 foot mast. I have a superb ground system and am 1/2 mile from the Atlantic Ocean in Maine. First thing I did was get the best rivet gun I could afford and the antenna went together flawlessly and no problems with snow and ice. The assembly manual did leave something to be desired, but that has been updated and is far better with good illustrations and explanations with a professional presentation. The new price is twice what is mentioned in other reviews and I'm glad I got it at the lower price. As a tribander it works everything I can hear and it's really something to drop your call in once or twice and get a reply from pileups for 4X4's, VK's and Zl's. One thing I haven't seen in the reviews is the easy hang feature where you attach a plate to the mast and then just hang the antenna and the secure it with no effort. 17 Meters is a bit of a joke, but the 6 meter capability makes up for it. Most importantly, the new ownership is fantastic with very quick and accurate response giving a very secure feeling. I would recommend that if you have this product- call them and ask for a new manual and brochure. You Will be impressed.
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W0EWM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 30, 2009 16:55
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Great Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've been using the C3SS for about 4 years. I have it on a 9' Glen Martin roof tower on a 2 story house in the Mid-West. I needed an antenna with a smaller turning radius - due to trees. The antenna has performed flawlessly. I haven't been on the roof since the antenna was put up. The SWR is very low on 10M, 15M and 20M. The performance on 17M is OK and it is very good on 12M - with a tuner. I have compared its performance with other antennas in the area and it always does very well. I focus on working DX and the C3SS just doesn't let me down. I know there are better antennas and having it at 100 ft - in the clear - would improve performance, but I always work the ones others in this area work - maybe a little later. I would not hesitate to by another Force 12 antenna - even with the new manufacturer.
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AF3Y
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 29, 2009 16:13
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NO COMPLAINTS HERE!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This little antenna has been up on my tower at around 45 feet for 2 years or so now. I am 100% satisfied! Even in the crappy conditions we have, I have 252 DXCC worked and 249 confirmed. Sure, I have a THP amp to give it a little help, but you have to HEAR THEM FIRST! This thing has great ears, in my opinion. ZERO complaints here. I was not happy with the WARC bands on this antenna, but it is not made for the WARC bands. I now have other antennas for them, as well as for the low bands. All in all, if you need a small antenna that kicks A$$ on 10, 15, and 20 you cannot go wrong. Some say support was less than perfect. I never needed support! NO PROBLEMS here!
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AC6DX
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Rating: 3/5
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Dec 24, 2007 07:11
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KLM, KT-34A WAY OUT PERFORMS THIS ANT.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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1. KEEP IN MIND YOU ARE ONLY GETTING 2 ELEMENTS PER BAND. AND ANY BEAM NEEDS AT LEAST 3 ELEMENTS PER BAND TO BE OPTIUM.
2. YOU ARE GOING TO GET LITTLE IF ANY SUPPORT FROM FORCE-12.
3. I HAD A C3SS AT 60' AND A KLM KT34A AT 60' SIDE BY SIDE COMPAIRSON'S THER IS NO COMPAIRSON THE KLM-KT34A BUSTED THRU PILE-UPS FROM CALIFORNIA TO EUROP USEALLY ON THE FIRST TRY, AS FOR THE FORCE-12 C3SS NO WAY NO HOW, I WAS HAVING TO WAIT FOR EVERYONE TO WORK A STATION BEFORE I WAS PICKED UP, BASICLY WITH THE FORCE 12 PLAN ON WAITING AND HOPEING YOU GET YOUR CONTACT, IF THE DX STATION IS WILLING TO WAIT LONG ENOUGH BEFORE THEY GET TIRED OF WORKING EVERYONE ELESE, THEY MIGHT HERE YOU.
4. KLM-KT34A BUSTED THROUGH PILE-UP TO WORK SOUTH AFRICA MADE MY CONTACT, THENN SWITCHED OVER TO THE FORCE 12 WITHOUT TELLING THE OTHER STATION THE REPLY WAS ARE YOU STILL THERE I AM NOT HEARING YOU VARY WELL, I THEN SWITCHED BACK TO THE KLM AND NO PROBLEMS.
5. GIVING FORCE-12 THERE DUE THE ANTENNA LOOKS REALLY NICE IN THE AIR, AND FOR ONLY HAVING 2 ELEMENTS PER BAND MAYBE OK AT BEST.
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M3BLH
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 31, 2007 14:10
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update
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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hi all I said I would come back and tell you what iv found with the Force 12 C3SS well hear we go its the best antenna I have ever had. it is only 4 m from the ground and I am working anything I hear . I live I mile from my local radio club and a lot of time I listen to them in contest. and I some times I can hear stations that they can not even hear. and they have got the big steppir with the 40 m add on kit at 15m from the ground. I have been working the USA on only 5w and 10 w with no problems. the only down fall is I can not tune it on 17m at all but that is not a problem as I'm putting a wire up for that band I hope this antenna as stud up to all the big wind we have had over the last few mths it in the open as they is all fields were I live with no problem at all so I recommend this antenna to anybody with very good results I hope this help thanks Barry M0NOK
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W6AAV
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 21, 2007 09:35
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Outstanding!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this antenna since 2002. I had installed in two seperate locations. One is Southern California and the other (currently) Fredericksburg, VA.
The antenna came packed and labeled with ease of assembly in mind. All the parts with extras were included. When I moved to VA, the process was simple to disassemble and reassemble.
The antenna is mounted on a 33 foot US Tower and sits 4 foot above the top of the tower. I have had not one issure which required me to conduct any maintenance or repair since I owned it. It holds up very well in the snow and ice here in VA as well.
Performance is outstanding! I hear them, I work them! My last pile up I broke was to T30XX. With 600 watts I got through on the second call. What else can I say! This antenna is small and powerful. I have thought of looking at other antennas whether from Force 12 or other manufactures, but at the performamnce numbers and for the size, I can't find a better antenna.
Force 12 antennas are a product I will recommend to anyone, especially the C3SS. Quality is supurb compared to others I have seen. I am able to tune 6m, 12m, 17m, as well as 10m, 15, and 20m with just using the internal tuner of the radio and yes, I have made many contact on all the bands I have listed.
If you are thinking about this antenna, think no more. Just do it!
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VE6XL
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 27, 2006 01:52
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Excellent Compact Yagi
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I was looking for a compact yagi suitable for where I live. I have only started using the antenna and I am very pleased with the performance.
Pros:
-Improvement over a dipole (4dBd +/-)
-Includes everything except pop riveter
-Very well designed
-Uses linear loading (no coils or traps)
-SWR at 30ft is excellent on all bands
-SWR can be easily tweaked using linear load on 20m or elements on 10m and 15m
Cons:
-Manual needs some improvement
-One hole needed to be redrilled (minor)
-Attaching the B-1/S Balun can be challenging as it is a bit short and can short out the PL-259 against the 15m driver. (easy to insulate and fix)
-Difficult to get a response from Force 12 by email (The staff is great over the phone)
I will supply another review after I have had the antenna a while longer. Pictures of the installation can be seen at: www.ve6xl.ca
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KZ1Z
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 26, 2006 16:54
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Wow
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This antenna is worth the wait. I live in an antenna restricted neighborhood. I did manage to get a waiver for a small tower, 30 feet, as the neighborhood was new and the HOA hadn't been formed yet. Lucky me, the developer approved the waiver and included it in my contract. I don't want any surprises down the road. This antenna has a thin silhouette. The SWR is excellent on 10-15-20. With the rig's antenna tuner the C3ss easily lets you run the 12 and 17 meter bands. While it will tune on 6 meters easily, and will work, it is not the most efficient. The manufacturer never claims it would, so consider this feature a bonus. When assembling the antenna, follow the instructions. Don't make guesses, you'll guess wrong every time. The overall quality is excellent. Here in hurricane country it will get tested. The first day on the air worked all over the world, despite the poor band conditions we have been experiencing. I was amazed breaking pile-ups I never would have done before. I sure could have used this antenna for the VU4 DXpedition. I would recommend this antenna without reservation.
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IW0HEX
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Rating: 5/5
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May 11, 2006 06:09
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Very well
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I use C3SS since 2005 September. I had a QSO with over 230 DXCC and antenna works great !!! No SWR problem, no traps so it can handle many watts !!! It's very easy to assemble and very light weight. If you are no great space, it's ideal antenna !!! 2 elements for 10,15 and 20 meters but very great satisfaction.
73s Pasquale IW0HEX
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G0YLM
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Rating: 5/5
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May 11, 2005 11:30
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Superb!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Only had it up on the mast for a week. Went together very easily although the instructions are not brilliant. Certainly as good as my old Hygain TH3 with the added bonus of being a lot lighter. Excellent performance on 10/15/20. Will work on the warc bands, but really if you want to dx on these bands then you are better with a dedicated ariel.
Look forward to really giving it a workout over these next few months!
Linda
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