[TowerTalk] Hygain Vertical

[Richards]

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 ----
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Larry Boekeloo wrote:
> Anyone have any experience with the Hy-Gain 6160 43' vertical vs. the DX-Engineering?
>  
> _______________________________________________
>