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You can
write your own review of the HyGain TH3 MK4.
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WB2RCB
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 28, 2011 17:45
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Believe It or Not!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My review is for a TH3MKII, yes that's right a MKII!
Mine was purchased from Allied Electronics back in 1966 as a package that included 100' of RG-8 coax and a CDR TR-44 rotator with 100' of control cable. $199 back then!
I have used this antenna for over 40 years and with a little TLC, it will last another 40! Over time, I replaced all the element tubing clamps with the SS versions, I'm on my third set of trap end caps and have replaced all of the internal spacers that keep the trap covers away from the trap coil itself. Back about 20 years ago I had the beam down and completely disassembled it and had the opportunity to take all the aluminum tubing and trap covers to my place of employment. I chucked all the parts in the lathe and thoroughly cleaned all of the tubing till it was all shiny as new. Assembled the beam as per the instructions, put De-Ox-It on all mating surfaces and after completion, sprayed the entire beam with Rustoleum Clear enamel. That was back prior to the great Northeast Ice Storm of 1991. I have pictures of the beam elements drooping down with the surfacees covered with 1-1/2" if ice! The next day, the beam returned to it's natural state and worked just as it had in the past.
This antenns is a workhorse and has never let me down. Gain and front-to-back is exceptional and the quality of the parts themselves is second to none. Not so with the newer versions.
As I read all the recent reviews it is very apparent that MFJ has taken a classic beam and made changes that have reduced the quality of such a fine antenna. Many complaints about ill-fitting parts and suspect hardware. I also noted that the newer versions now use a hair-pin matching arrangement instead of the robust "Beta Tube" matching system from past years.
If you have a chance to get one of these, I would suggest looking for an older version that is in good shape and rehab it. Parts are still available and if MFJ still has them, I would replace all the element tubing clamps with the following part #'s (1/2" - 380284) (1" - 380286) and (1-1/4" - 380287) These clamps are horseshoe shaped, made of SS and will clamp the tubing together so it will never slip.
See you on the air and you'll hear for yourself how well this antenna still works!
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WA2HMM
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 9, 2011 10:37
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Super Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Installed it back in Oct of 2009. Have NOT had any problems with it. Still great F/B and get great reports.
Would recommend it.
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K6GKB
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Rating: 5/5
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May 11, 2011 10:17
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I love it!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I also bought my TH3-MK4 directly from HY-Gain and it arrived shortly delivered to my door by UPS. Assembly was straight
forward. There were some issues with hardware, but these were easily resolved and well within my tolerance limits. The
hose clamps for the outboard elements were much too large and unusable, but a trip to the local marine store came up with
the correct clamps. The trap boots did not want to stay put, but some RTV solved that problem. I preferred elastic stop
nuts to what was supplied and these were available in stainless at my local hardware store. In any case, when completed
and all my substitutions in place the antenna was first quality and ready for installation.
The 14 foot boom has the advantage that when I tilted the tubular tower over I as able to attach the antenna to the
rotator without help. With the reflector laying on the ground, the attachment is only 7 feet off the ground. One of those
aluminum, zigzag, click-click folding ladders configured as an "A" allowed me to safely climb up to the rotator and couple
the antenna to the tower. I did all the assembly and installation by myself.
Since this is a review of the antenna, the above is all irrelevant. Once up, the antenna performed perfectly and has met
all expectations. Nicely directional, clearly discernable front to back, seems to pull in the signals very well. My Icom
4KL loves this thing, matching is almost instantaneous and then remembered. When the wind blows very hard, I drop the
antenna from 40 feet to 20 feet and so far everything is working perfectly. I especially liked the price which seemed very
reasonable. Although a meaningless parameter, it looks nicely professional up there above the house and the neighbors have
said nothing!
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CX9BP
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Rating: 1/5
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Apr 20, 2011 16:03
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No recomendable
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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1º)Las curvas que aparecen en el folleto no se cumplen, la realidad es otra, es una antena plana, DEMASIADO PLANA.
2º)Problemas con las abrazaderas de "acero inoxidable" se rompen y no apretan.
He tenido otras Hy-Gain sin problemas, lamento haber comprado esta.
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AA2HA
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Rating: 1/5
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Feb 1, 2011 14:28
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I wish I knew
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I ordered the antenna, directly for hy-gain (MFJ) in October. (today is February 1st) and no antenna. I've spoken to Hy-Gain several times and they tell me that "a part they use for several of their antennas" has been on back-order (from China) for FOUR months) As a result, they can't make several of their antennas until this mystery part arrives. Any distributor with a reasonable price also has these on back-order.
I find it hard to believe they couldn't find another supplier or work out a solution. They are now telling me that they expect the part to be "in" in a few weeks (I've heard this before) and they will be making antennas by March.
I just can't imagine a company like Ht-Gain doesn't have the resources to supply, or find an alternate way to supply their own products. It's very frustrating!
If or when my antenna arrives, I may change this rating (because I have to rate it to post this) and this rating has nothing to do with the performance of the antenna.
I would order a different antenna, but my tower project was constructed with exact sizes to accommodate all the antennas I need.
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WB8SCT
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Rating: 1/5
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Jan 10, 2011 17:42
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Poor Manufacturing Quality
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have owned several HyGain antennas and this is the most disappointing. Overall the performance is not bad, but building the antenna with the components supplied can be a hassle. Someone previously noted that the tips are undersized which creates a problem for when trying to clamp them in place. I had to use some small gauge wire as a shim in order to build the antenna. The brackets and hardware supplied was all substandard, not like the previous HyGain quality that I have become use to. This is my last HyGain and for that matter Cushcraft (which is owned by the same company as HyGain). I do not recommend this antenna.
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W4RIG
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 3, 2010 16:30
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Going Strong after two years
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I just read my review from December 2008 and wanted to reinforce my high opinion of the TH3-MK4 antenna - I have had over 3000 QSO's in the past 2 years with PSK31 on 40, 20, 17 and 15 M and the antenna has performed very well - I'm usually heard better than my reception of the other signal - operation has been smooth with only a few tugs to align the driven element as it gets a little off horizontal after winter storms - seasonal adjustments are minor. My TH3-MK4 is paired with an MFJ969 roller inductor tuner - it gives me great SWRs on all bands - better with 15-20 than 40 but still very good on 40M (maybe 1.20 vs 1.0) I have contacted stations in Kazakhstan, Asiatic Russia, Western and Central China, Mauritius, South Africa, Chile and Alaska (still trying to find Hawaii)with PSK31 and am very pleased with the operation of this antenna. I note it has a consistently good review status - something I used as a reference before I purchased it - a few sore heads don't detract much from an overwhelming 5/5 by most users who have filed reviews. Thumbs up for this fine antenna.
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PE1NBD
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 13, 2010 22:34
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Works great so far
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Got mine last week after careful consideration which antenna should replace my FB33. Took it up to my mast yesterday and was very pleased with the first results. Good SWR on all bands(adjusted the elements in the "MID" position). Although I only work in SSB-mode the "PHONE" position didn't gave me the right SWR. But now all is OK. Easy to assemble only took me more as 8 hours HI. Did it all by myself without any help. But for those who considering to put some one also, ask for some help to put it up.
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WA2HMM
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 29, 2009 12:24
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Works GRRRrrreat
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Got the beasty up on the tower and hit it with some RF...
The front to back is great, and the reports coming in from DX indicate it plays "Real-Nice".
Mechanically it is build very well/strong, the instructions are VERY easy to follow, and plenty of clear graphics, all dimesions are in inches, but with conversions for metric.
NO special tools are required to assemble.
I would highly recommend this antenna.
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WA2HMM
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 15, 2009 07:00
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Tech Support is GREAT
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I found the Boom Clamp holes didn't match up with the Boom Bracket. This was reported before. I spoke to Hy-Gain Tech Support (Tom AA5MT), he said to install the Boom Clamp on the Boom Tube prior to trying to line up the Bracket holes, and they would line up. "They Did". I also mentioned the installation of the 2 5/16x3 bolts in the Boom to Mast Clamp, as indicated inthe manual. If you are installing the Clamp on the Boom "FIRST", and not on the mast "FIRST", they are really a pain to loosen and then slip the antenna (with the clamp attached) on the mast. They can be left out.
The antenna is mechanically sound.
Now only if Ma-Nature will stop making rain, I can get up the tower...
I will report on how it plays later.
I say "Good-4", as I haven't fired it up yet.
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