Got a UL blank sitting around Rainshadow Revelation REVS72UL-2SB. Blank was not exactly what I was hoping for found a MHX I like better. Anyways since the blank did not fit my vision I figure I will maybe experiment with different components. One thing I am considering is the Airwave guides. The concept seems good. I am sure they are heavier than my go to Minimas. Not going to be weight obsessed on this build like usual.

My concern is the size of the guides, specifically the foot and the frame to foot junction. From the pictures they look rather large in that area. Concerned on a thin blank the guides are going to look out of place with that wide frame. Also wonder how wide the foot is. The foot can be filed of course but wonder how much will be needed.

Any thoughts on my concerns and anything else I should consider or know about these guides is apperciated.

I never understood the frame choice for the running guides on the Microwave system as they are too tall, and in particular the AirWaves. The solid frame seems to go against what you are trying to accomplish by swapping out the ceramic rings. However the system does work. What I've done in the past is to use the MW guide and the reduction guide in combination with the running guides that I want. I haven't built wit the AirWaves yet, but what I would do is likely just use the AirWave guide, and then see if I could find a match frame minima guide with a similar guide height to the reduction guide and then run single foot fly minimas to the tip.

When working with the MW guides, follow the spacing chart for the placement of the first 3 guides from the reel. The spacing of the running guides can be tweaked with a static test.

I do as Joe mentioned quite often, I will use airwave stripper and first reduction guide then move into smaller guides for light rods. The airwaves are light for sure but not designed specifically for UL or very finesse applications. The running guides on a thin UL will look out of place, and require a decent size tip top. I like to use a 4mm tip top and sometimes as small as 3mm runners for sensitivity and light weight over casting distance.

My thoughts have been confirmed. Seems like the airwaves/microwaves are great when compared to cone of flight guide setups. Not gaining much if anything over a microguide setup. The airwave swaps one reduction guide for a runner. Extra weight of the stripper probable offsets that. Probable stick with minimas. Thanks

On a steelhead rod a friend made, changing the guide train he normally used to a Microwave set cut his guide weight by exactly half.

On a steelhead rod a friend made, changing the guide train he normally used to a Microwave set cut his guide weight by exactly half.

I believe you have made the better decision.

Spencer Phipps Wrote:
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> On a steelhead rod a friend made, changing the
> guide train he normally used to a Microwave set
> cut his guide weight by exactly half.

What was his normal guide train? Would assume standard cone of flight. The microwave would obviously reduce the weight. As would any micro setup. Minima micro setup would drop it even more.