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You can
write your own review of the HyGain TH3 MK4.
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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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EI4HQ
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Rating: 3/5
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Oct 10, 2009 13:27
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Disappointing Assembly Experience
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I took delivery of a new TH3 Mk IV earlier this week (October 2009)and have spent today assembling it.
I live in an exposed spot on the eastern seaboard of the North Atlantic. Over the years I've learned that, in the first instance, a stock antenna needs to be assembled 'exactly' as per the suppliers instructions. Secondly, it then needs to then be 'modified' to withstand the particular weather we get here.
Today I did the stock assembly of the TH3. On the whole the antenna is what I expected, but a few particular items disappointed me to the point I felt it necessary to say something...
Generally the antenna components are of good quality. There are a few specific items however that are simply not fit for purpose.
The curved boom joining bracket that attaches to the flat boom bracket plate was poorly manufactured. The result was it was nigh on impossible to get the boom bolts tightened and then be able to attach the boom bracket to the mast bracket - not enough of the holes lined up. This was the result of (a) poor bracket forming and (b) poor hole drilling.
Secondly, a number of the 3/4 inch bolts sheared under very light load - closer examination suggests manufacture problems. Also about half a dozen of the 'hose' clips threaded while tightening. Before its suggested that these occurances were the result of over tightening - I've a very light touch and replacement locally sourced stock - both bolts and clips - gave no problems...
Thirdly there is clearly a problem with the 'tips' of all the elements - Hygain supply hose clips to secure the tips of all the elements - clearly either these clips are too big or the element section into which the end tips are inserted are too thick. Regardless, no amount of tighetening of the hose clips could get five of the six element sections to 'bite' to the point that the tips were secure. They remained loose. I have not yet worked out a solution to this but whatever it may be, the hose clips supplied by Hygain are clearly not the way forwared...
Small things you might say, but the result is this antenna is not 'fit for purpose' out of the box. In my situation this is not a major issue as I'll have to modify the antenna anyway so it will survive the winds and salt laden moisture we get here... Lots of shrink wrap at joints and some additional element pinning to follow tomorrow, however the issues outlined here do raise some concerns about Hygain's quality control. I just hope I don't have similar issues with the traps once I get RF into the beast...
I'll report further once she's aloft...
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W4RIG
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 31, 2008 20:40
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Excellent reviews Accurate Ratings
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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While I've just gotten the TH3-MK4 mounted on my tower @ 35 feet above ground and about 100 feet above sea level (in Gloucester, MA) I am finding the operation as expected from 20 reviews with best rating - make mine 21 at 5/5 - excellent reception and it gets out as expected - with the balun recommended by Hy-Gain - I'll get back next year with operational report after 12 months experience
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EA5FKQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 19, 2008 12:07
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Maybe.. The best 3 el. tribander.
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Hola. Que decir de esta magnifica,legendaria y buena antena de la Hy-gain. Es probablemente de las mejores directivas de 3 el. tribandas. Muy depurada en su diseño, solida, tecnicamente perfecta. Sus caracteristicas de rendimiento son sobresalientes. Por mi parte esta clasica de la Hy-gain es una opción de una buena antena totalmente recomendable y para muchos años dando alegrias en el DX.
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KL7AI
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 11, 2008 20:14
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Making the difference!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Up at 50ft now for 3 months and am extremely pleased. Holding up in Alaska winds and weather and I mean HOWLING winds! 60+ This antenna lets me be heard when the band is in bad shape and holds up well to the 1.5kw CW signal passed to it! I am pleased and you will be too!
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KA6EZL
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 16, 2008 07:51
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Love it
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have had it up for about 3 months, and it works great, it is up at 40'. I also have a 135' dipole feed with ladder line up at 60' on one end and 40' on the other end and I thought it worked great, and it does, but, the TH3 MK4 brings stations in loud that I can't even hear on the dipole. If you can get one you will be very pleased.
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N4URW
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 26, 2008 10:07
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TH3MK3 - GREAT
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Actually, mine is the TH3MK3 and this antenna is a workhorse. I have owned this antenna for about 2 years now and it has worked flawlessly on all three bands (10-15-20. I have it tuned for the SSB portion of the bands but even in the CW portion with a antenna tuner it doesn't take much tuning the swr's down. I only paid $125.00 for this antenna and I think I got a great deal. Another very good friend of mine also bought one and did a total refurbishment on it and it works just as good as mine. HyGain did a great job in the design of this antenna. I get compliments all the time and also get asked what kind of amp am I using. I run barefoot (100 watts) with no amp and have talked all over the world with no problems and even in the pileups. If you get a chance to own one of these I would highly suggest doing so. (email N4URW@earthlink.net)
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N2QQF
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 24, 2008 12:08
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Wonderful Antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought this antenna used for $125.00 about 2 months ago and very pleased with this antenna. I had a few beams and this one is certainly well constructed and it actually works well with excellent F/B ratio. I am very pleased with the antenna and even happier that I only paid $125. the construction is very good also. the antenna is very light and turns with no problem on my smaller rotor CD-44.
The boom clamp is very strong and the element clamps seem to be fine as I am not having any issues that others have mentioned in previous posts. This again, could be because my antenna is over 10 years old. The antenna went together without any mishaps and assembled quite easily. The antenna had little to no oxidation as it was properly assembled and taken care of properly when first put up. The fact that this antenna is over 10 years old coming from a saltwater environment is a testament to the quality of this antenna.
The antenna is well made and I would not hesitate to buy one new at the going price of $450. +/- the next antenna will be Log periodic or something bigger but for now this one works very well and i would certainly recommend one without any hesitation.
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PD9JO
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 14, 2008 03:54
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Great beam
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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After working the beam for a long time now you forget the small problems we had with the set-up...(the clamps for the elements)
This beam is a great performer, that is why I give it a BIG 5 now!!
Check how we put the antenne in the tower http://www.pd9jo.nl/_sgg/m2_1.htm
Don't think to long, this antenna will make you happy ;-)
73's Jo.
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