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| Reviews Summary for Hi-Q-Antennas-4 (dash 4) |
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Reviews: 27
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $425
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Description: The most EFFICIENT HF TUNABLE Mobile antenna is the Hi-Q DASH 4.
Based on these parameters:Frequency= 3.8Mhz,
Base length= 3 feet, base av. diameter= 1.5"' top section (whip)=6.5'with a small corona discharge loop on it's top.
Radiation resistance= .8 ohms, Electrical length=14 degrees, Degree-ampere area=8.9,Overall lenght=13'6" (frpm the groung up).
Ground loss=4.1 ohm, overall antenna 'Q' 92, Shunt needed for 'L' match to 52 ohms=1594 pF.
Coil data: Inductance=77.8 uH, Reactance 1858 ohms, wire size=12 AWG,diameter=4", usable legth=6.4", 40 turns, coil 'Q'=450, Loss resistance 5.7 ohms, RADIATION EFFICIENCY= 7.2% Realtive radiated power -11.1dB, Feed point impedance 11 ohms, Bandwidth for 2:1 SWR= 31 kc.
Since it is tunable the bandwidth can be moved to the desired frequency.
NOTE: These calculation where substantiated by many users of the Hi-Q Dash 4 users.
In our opinion only a 4" diameter MONO Coil will do as well.
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://hiqantennas.com
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write your own review of the Hi-Q-Antennas-4 (dash 4).
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N5QF
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Rating: 5/5
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May 8, 2011 22:06
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Hi-Q-4/80 RT Wow it is Great!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought my Hi-Q 4/80 RT direct from Charlie back in March 2004. Order #1511. I love this antenna. I mainly work 20 and 40 meters. I live in an antenna restricted neighborhood so run mobile only. I have worked JAs, Down under a number of times, and 2 weeks ago talked to Moscow, with a 5x9 signal report. To my delight breaking though pile-ups on the first, or second try (sometimes a little harder) makes it ok that I can only operate mobile. I recently got a new 2011 Lexus RX-350 and waited a month to let the new ware off and yep the 4/80 installed with the addition of a trailer hitch. My 5 rating is based on the talking ability of the antenna, the quality, I have had no issues since my ownership (2004). I am thinking about getting a 5/160- just to try the low band for once, never worked 160 meters. Besides a new car deserves a new antenna. Feel free to call or email for full description of complete mobile set up.
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KR4EY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 12, 2009 09:56
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Wow!!! Hi-Q 4/80 RT MC-1
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is one of the best antennas I have ever owned. I am contastly amazed at all the DX I work with this. Since I live with antenna restrictions I am using this as a base antenna mounted on a tripod with radials. First contact was with a YK on 40 meters, other contacts on 40 were a A7, A6 all with 100 watts. Worked 25 countries on 40 meters during the 2009 IARU HF Championship just casually working some of the contest.
This antenna is very well made and will last a life time.
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N6ZOA
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Rating: 5/5
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May 2, 2009 16:54
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I can now honestly say there is no better mobile HF antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Five years ago I began my search for the best HF mobile antenna I could find. After spending many hours online looking at all the different armature HF mobile antennas, I came to believe that the Hi-Q 4-80 was the very finest money could buy.
I spent a lot of time just comparing all the numbers for the different HF mobile antennas available. I used Microsoft Excel to compare every single HF mobile antenna review online I could find. My research took me 5 months to complete. My wife saw me at the computer every night and said I was out of my mind to spend so much time looking for the perfect HF antenna for a car. I called all the places that built mobile HF antennas. I tried to get as much info I could.
Some builders I called told me that Charlie Gyenes builds the best, but that theirs was cheaper. No thanks I am looking for the best! I settled on the Hi-Q 4-80. It was the Hi-Q 4-80 for me because no other manufacturer even came close to Charlie’s numbers. Five years ago I drove to Charlie’s home and picked up not one but two Hi-Q 4-80’s, one for the wife’s car, she is (W6ZOA) and one for mine.
I am not going to mention any names but last year at field day a friend of mine parked his truck next to my little Subaru. I am running my HiQ 4-80 and he’s using a yeasu ATSA 120 Screwdriver on his truck. We are both running 100 watts. Sitting there next to each other, he is in his truck and me in my little Subaru, I hear a base station back east on 40 meters, his signal was a good 5-9. In the pile up I called the guy and got him on the first try and he gave me a 5-9.
I looked over at my friend and said now you give the guy a call! He grabbed his mike and called and called and called and nothing. All I know is that size doe’s matter, Hi Hi, So much for those cheesy little mobile HF antennas. With only 100 watts out I need all the help I can get. I hear a lot of stations tell me that they didn’t know I was a mobile.
I have spent the last five years using the HiQ 4-80 on my little Subaru then I installed it on my new the Ford Expedition. I waited a long time before I wrote this review. I can now honestly say there is no better mobile HF antenna available anywhere. With the high level of workmanship, premium materials used, superior quality, and a coil design with the utmost in efficiency and performance, I am a very happy Ham. I know it would not have been the case if I had settled for one of those cheaper made antennas.
73’s de n6zoa Bernie
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KG3V
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 19, 2009 18:19
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Very well made and a great performer
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Ihave the HI-Q 4/80 antenna. I give it a 5. This is very well made in terms of materials and machining. I bought a mounting plate with the antenna, drilled one hole in my bumper and the antenna is now installed on my Ford Ranger pickup.
My first use was for a State QSO party, so I used it mainly on 40 and 80 meters and was not trying for DX. The bands were not good but I got very good signal reports, including a few "great signal for a mobile" comments." I really like the fact that there are no external moving parts to worry about. The large coil is a little narrow-banded, requiring some tweaking as you QSY, but the performance more than makes up for this.
Buying a screwdriver antenna for mobile use is a project, not a simple plug-and-play, but I would highly recommend this antenna for your mobile "project." I think a controller with Presets is a must with this type of antenna.
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W6YOO
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 26, 2008 14:46
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Wow! What an Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I am very lucky at the Visalia DX Convention every year and a number of years ago I won a 4-160 that Charlie donated. I already had a High Sierra mounted on my Ranger so I used the HiQ on a tripod at street fairs and the like. The HS went south when I smacked the side of my garage door and a friend N6SD helped me mount the HiQ on the Ranger. As Charlie lives less than 50 miles away I drove up, met Charlie, and purchased a numbeer of accessories to add versatility. Wow! I work DX on any band that's open both CW and SSB. Like TIMEX it has taken a beating but keeps on tiking; however, I recently creamed it and had to send it to Charlie for repair and upgrades. Charlie responded immediately to my emails and I look forward to remounting the antenna and chasing DX while mobile. I like the antenna so much I recently acquired another to use with a tripod mount for special events. 73, Harry, W6YOO
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KB2NAT
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 4, 2008 15:44
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Good Effort By Charlie With Me
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I actually went through two TAD's (Tune-A-Dipoles) before getting my final addition: the 2.5 TAD. One of the 3-inch pair's moors ran at a different rate than the 2nd; its replacement--a manual 5-inch dipole--grew mold inside; and Charlie replaced that with what ever I wanted (I finally opted for the 2.5-inch TAD. Each one was shipped immediately and each email was answered quickly. It IS true that one needs to know something about mobile antenna systems, but there is an email source that answers questions. I small coil or variable cap helps the SWR at lower freqs, and the biggest issue is generally appropriate grounding. I don't doubt that Charlie gets frustrated, but he overcame it (as well as my ignorance)with a good result. The product is excellent and I use mine for non-mobile use and experimentation.
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KC7YRA
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 4, 2008 12:36
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Antenna good, service poor
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Hello,
Bought this antenna almost 6mo ago. After many different homebuilt and commercially available HF mobile antennas, I selected this one. I must say that the antenna itself is a marvel. Once installed correctly it performs very well. I get GREAT reports from 500+ miles out on 80 and 40 during the day. Many many people say "are you sure your mobile"
My downsides for the antenna are strictly from the people (charlie) selling it. First DO NOT let the website fool you. This antenna cannot be made PLUG AND PLAY as some of the packages advertise. I expected a pain in mounting and getting it to work right and I was correct. It takes sound understanding of antenna principals and electrical theory to get this to work properly.
If you have a problem getting it to work correctly (or have any question in general like "I ordered this antenna 2 weeks ago and I was wondering when it would ship") be prepared to get a grumpy Charlie. When I called and cracked open my wallet to order it he was happy to serve. When other calls were made that were not making him money he was less than obliging. And if you have any polite suggestions or feedback, Just keep that to yourself as they do not want to improve their product.
In the time that I have had this antenna it has seen from -20F to 110F (this is Wyoming after all). It has been down our interstates at 100MPH and sailed down bumpy dirt roads without even a whimper. It has some VERY minor things I would change around which I feel would make it better but thats all.
Great product but not real happy bout how my communications were received.
P.S. If you have trouble getting the antenna to stop at the resonance point with a 12v switch, Build a voltage step down and put it into the control box on a 2nd switch. I did this with 6v and I am able to get PERFECT SWRs on any band I want. Also recommend a shunt coil. Makes it way better.
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WB4LHO
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 30, 2007 20:48
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Hi Q 4-80RT After 3 Years
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been using the Hi Q antenna for over 3 years now. I have been running mobile installations for over 30 years, many capable of working on the HF bands. The Hi-Q antenna out performs every mobile antenna I have ever used. It is very well designed, rugged and works consistently well. If you would like the rest of the story, including how I tackled a noise problem with the vehicle put this in your browser:
http://www.wwns.com/wwns/staff/david/Xterra_RFI.html
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AL7QQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 9, 2007 16:54
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Excellent
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have the Hi-Q 5/160 and owned it now for about two years. It's a real radiator and reports while mobile underway or still have always been great. Bonding/Grounding is very essential key to this antenna to allow it to perform efficiently. Even if you have a doubt on your bonding/grounding go back and check it. I run nets nearly every night with the 5/160 and get good reports from most stations just about anywhere I'm at in the US. Have even worked, New Zealand, Austrailia, Alaska and Hawaii on the low bands at night with very fair reports.
The only problem I've had is the cap hat wires do break after being underway for extended periods of time. Also the Bell housing for the antennas don't stand up well when you hit owls at night with the antenna. Otherwise you get what you pay for. It's a very well put together antenna and has done me very well. Best of 73's to all. Jeff AL7QQ
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K7PEH
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 3, 2006 09:29
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Excellent Performance from Hi-Q 4/80 RT
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I am very pleased with this mobile antenna. In spite of the fact it is probably one of the more expensive screwdriver antennas, you do indeed get your money's worth.
Construction: very high quality. This antenna oozes quality in every respect. I have it mounted on the rear of my pickup truck with an antenna mount that I designed and built myself (see web site available via QRZ for photos). My goal was to do this antenna justice by building a mount as sturdy and rigid as the antenna.
Performance: what can I say. Just about every one that I can hear, I can work. I consistantly receive good reports. Compared to a tuned whip that I used previously, this Hi-Q antenna opens up the bands -- all of them. I typically use the capacity hat that I got from Hi-Q for 80 meters and that it easy to remove or put back on with the quick disconnects.
I can't think of any negatives for this antenna. It is not plug and play though. Spending time to think about and work through the mobile mount is time well spent and should not be rushed. Also, working to put together the right shunt coil for operating on 80 and 40 takes some work if you are not used to doing that sort of thing (I wasn't). But, my trusty MFJ-259 antenna analyzer was money well spent (finally) in getting the right tuned coil set up.
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