Hi Larry --- While it is possible someone has done in A/B comparison of
these two products, it is not likely. First, they are nearly identical
in design and function, and second, the Hy-Gain product has only been
available for a couple months, and third, the few HyGain may have sold,
may still be in the box, considering half the country has been under a
blanket of snow for the past 30 days.
I admit to a certain bias... I have one of the you ask about. You can
read about my experience, and my initial impressions on performance, here:
http://k8jhr.com/linked/43_ft_vertical_antenna.pdf
In any case, I have compared the two products on paper, and proffer
several reasons to favor the DX-engineering offering:
1) The service provided by DX-engineering before and after the sale
has been outstanding/superlative.
2) The DX Engineering tilt plate mounting system is far superior to
the mounting mechanism sold by HyGain -- Not only does appear to be much
stronger (made from quarter inch solid stainless steel,) but you
realize the convenience of the tilt mechanism the first time you must
use it. Right there, it pays for itself.
3) I prefer the single, solid quarter-inch-thick fiberglass insulator
supplied by DX engineering, over the multi-piece pvc tube insulator
supplied by HyGain -- Compare the design of the two designs by
studying the photographs in the MFJ catalog, and on the two respective
manufacturers' websites. You will realize the DX engineering product is
much more substantial, and is a single large, quarter-inch thick
fiberglass product, while the other employs a two pieces of plastic PVC
tubing - which are two separate pieces, so it will be much more
difficult to install, and even more difficult to adjust if that becomes
necessary, later.
4) The Hy-Gain radiator does not employ an evenly-graduated taper from
bottom to top. It has a couple large diameter tubes, and then suddenly,
approximately halfway up, steps down and employs a series of smaller
diameter tubes. This would make it more stiff towards the bottom, and
more flexible with more whip towards the top. The DX Engineering
product tapers gradually and with a uniform reduction from bottom to
top. This might not be that big a deal overall, but, nonetheless, marks
a difference in design you might want to consider.
5) I received high quality communication from DX Engineering before
and after the sale. Did I mention DX Engineering customer service has
been outstanding? During the period prior to my purchase, I sent
HyGain several e-mail inquiries concerning the AV-640, another vertical
antenna, and received no reply at all. The DX Engineering support
staff answered several detailed questions, mostly concerning antenna
theory and involving a certain amount of new ham hand holding, as I
compared this design to others, including the AV-640, and trapped
vertical antennas manufactured by Hustler,. Moseley and Butternut. At
no time did they short-circuit the discussion, or failed to give me a
serious, complete answer. Again, I have never received any reply from
HyGain.
6) I am completely satisfied with my DX Engineering radial ground
plate, and would not go without it. It costs only $55 and is worth
every penny. I do not think HyGain even offers a radial ground plate.
This is, alone, a reason to opt for the DX Engineering product.
Because it was so convenient, I measured and cut, and soldered crimp
connectors on, and laid 28 radials in under two hours. This is a
fabulous product, making it easy to connect to the radial wires in an
electrically positive solid manner in a short time -- which was
especially important to me, because it started snowing while I was
laying out the the radial system. Time was, therefore, of the essence,
and I was glad I spent the extra money for the tilt plate.
7) The HyGain current balun is attached to the ANTENNA ELEMENT using
compression straps/clamps. The DX Engineering design mounts the balun
on a shelf attached to the MOUNTING PLATE using much stronger and more
durable U-bolts. This better isolates the balun assembly from the
antenna element , puts stress on the mounting plate and not the aluminum
antenna element. This is a better design, and the u-bolts are much
stronger than stainless steel compression straps supplied with the
HyGain product.
8) I believe the final cost of the two products will settle the
matter. HyGain sells you the antenna element, mounting plate, PVC
insulator tubes, and current balun for $399.95 plus shipping which can
be a substantial expense - While the comparable DX-Engineering
package costs only $379 with free shipping. In either case, the
radial plate is extra. You can get that, in a total package from
DX-Engineering for only $499, including radio plate and all the extra
hardware you need to put it together right -- including the superior
saddle clamps which are better than the stainless steel hose clamps sold
by HyGain -- ... think about it... would you want to be in the
"saddle," ... or get "hosed.".... ;-)
9) I almost forgot to mention the outstanding service and communication
I received both before and after sale from DX Engineering... oh, sorry I
guess I did that, already ...
10) Overall, if you study the design of the mounting mechanism, and
carefully read the instruction manuals that come with these products, I
have no doubt you will draw the same conclusions I have.
Considering the small footprint in the backyard, the low visual impact
on the neighborhood, and the excellent signal reports I have been
getting with it, I am a very happy customer. I am been able to reach
several specific locations I could not accomplish with my previous,
low-slung dipoles and other antennas. I am now reconfiguring my wire
antennas, to complement the vertical, hoping to get different, and
varied takeoff and radiation patterns to give me a more complete antenna
farm, but the vertical has earned its place.
Anyway, I hope there is something in this wretched tome that helps you
make a decision you will be happy with.
(Please forgive any odd words herein... I use speech recognition
software to produce e-mail messages, and sometimes get some rather odd
recognition errors.)
Happy trails and 73. ---- Richards - K8JHR ----
=============================================
Larry Boekeloo wrote:
> Anyone have any experience with the Hy-Gain 6160 43' vertical vs. the
> DX-Engineering?
>
> _______________________________________________
>
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