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| Reviews Summary for Hi-Q-Antennas -4 (dash 4) |
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Reviews: 26
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $(missing—add MSRP)
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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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More info: http://hiqantennas.com
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You can
write your own review of the Hi-Q-Antennas -4 (dash 4).
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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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W2SFD
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 16, 2008 10:03
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The Best, except after you pay
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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After a long and hard look it came down to the Tarheel and the 4/80. I liked the design of the HiQ in that the contrator moves inside the coil, leaving the overall "physical" length a constant. I thought it would be perfect for the weather in the Northeast. I also like the theory behind the lager coil, less of a resistor. Everything pointed me to this antenna.
I contacted Charlie with emails and he answered all my question for a more than a week. I settled on a package, but did not need a GQD since I had my own mounting system. He balked at my request for a credit off the package that I was going to spend on accessories anyhow. Back and fourth until I was told it was this or nothing. I purchased it with accessories. No small price tag here. Upon arrival, the GQD was not included since I stated I had a better setup. Yet the full price of the package was charged. Beware, charlie can be grumpy.
Likes? the thing works! Works well! Built tough! Good contacts with 100w on 20, 40, and 80. Easy to install, kinda. I agree it is not plug and play, nature of the beast! Went with the matching box from MFJ instead of the shunt coil. Well built!!!!
I also suggest not using Charlies mounting, but look at Breedlove Machine shop. Has good quality products that last. Willing to talk with a fellow ham even after the sale. I use the coax adapter that he sells. Screw the PL-259 on and you're done.
Dislikes? Have to run 100w or less in winter salt conditions, fog and some other conditions. The coil is molded into the lexan and will arc over in certain conditions with higher power. This will damage the coil! Charlie discloses this, but does not feel it is a flaw. I'd like it better not given this problem. The pig tail for the power to the motor is rather short.
Enjoy it!
George - W2SFD
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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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WA1GZY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 13, 2006 09:39
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A Mobile Miracle!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Kudos to Charlie for the "Hi-Q-4 Short" (30" lower mast & 4 " diameter coil) and ideal for ball screw mount or trunk lip mount. The antenna is lightweight enough for the rear quarter panel (not bumper mount) on your passenger vehicle, virtually eliminating coupling losses to the car body. It's tough enough to handle 500 watts without a meltdown or whimper.
PSST! Charlie does not advertise this model on his website (He's keeping the big signal a secret.. but now it's out!) Try it on 80 meters with the 12" extension, #2 capacity hat and 60" whip.(Tunes 2.7mhz through 18 MHz) Your friends and enemys will think you're operating from a base station but can't find you at home anymore!
Try this antenna with the N2VZ TurboTuner for "hasslefree" automatic tuning. Also recommend the CWS multitap UNUN (mounted just inside the trunk at the ballscrew mount).
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KG4NBL
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 24, 2005 17:23
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SUPER
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Why do I use Hi-Q-HF mobile antennas by: KG4NBL,
“THEY RADIATE and Not DISSIPATE the RF!”
The series of Hi-Q Antennas I own starts with the Hi-Q-2.5/40 RT tru the Hi-Q-5/160!
The -2.5 I had for 3 years, four ea. -4/80 and 3 ea. -5/160 since then.
The Hi-Q-2.5/40 mostly I use on: 40M/20M/17M/10M with a 37” whip with corona ball.
Also get on 6M by tuning down to find the MULTIPLE Wave length of 6M.
These are the BEST HF Mobile antennas I EVER used!
These antenna are traveling with me in my TRUCK (18 Wheeler) my boat and in my Suburban.
SOME OF THESE ANTENNAS ARE OVER 3 YEARS OLD AND WORKING FINE, HOWEVER ONE MUST KEEP THE COIL CLEAN ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER, WHEN THE ROAD CRUD COLLECTS THAT IS CONDUCTIVE, AS LOW AS 350 OHMS! When clean the LEXAN coil housing is 20 Meg Ohms, measured EXTERNALLY.
These antennas have been in Alaska in February an off shore of the Florida Keys in June.
I have learned a lot from my -4/80 that I have owned for 4 years: Keep it clean!
The accumulation of salt and winter road grime can create a PATH for an RF ARC when one runs a kW or more.
Remember: at 500 watts there is very high voltage at the base of the whip to the top of the contactor location: 12,700 volts!!!
All of my Hi-Q is RT’s that is remotely tunable with 12 VDC.
With a CAPACITY switch box and aTW-1 talking watt meter it is easy to tune to a VSWR of 1:1, doing this without looking!
The -4 works with the same whip/Caphat set us as the -2.5 coil.
And now the newest addition to my Hi-Q Collections is the Hi-Q-5/160, these are 10-160 mobile antennas. I have 3 of these beauties!
You might ask why so many: I set them up as PHASED Verticals for greater radiation Efficiency.
I work 40-160 with these antennas since the COIL DIAMATER to LENGTH ration is the closest in this design.
6 M to 20 the smaller -2.5 does very well for the same reason.
With these antennas I have worked out 50 STATES from 49 STATES!!!
All on the 3905 Century Club and on 1893 from my truck and some portable operation.
See my website: www.kg4nbl.com
I will be in Hawaii in January 2006 using my ROTATABLE Phased Verticals!!
For common sense mobile installation one has to have good Ohmic and RF counterpoise so that a vertical antenna to perform well.
The use of Capacity hat a long whip for 80/160 operation pays great dividend, in portable set up one can use a very long wire to come to close to a tru ¼ wl mobile antenna. With 60 foot wire added to the top of the coil, you only use a few turns of the loading coil and those allow you to TUNE the WHOLE band on80/160 M.
My thanks for Hi-Q-Antennas for a perfect HF mobile antenna, using a Hi-Q loading coil.
Gene, KG4NBL
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AA8GK
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 24, 2005 15:55
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Outstanding!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had mine over a year and a half and I can't say enough about it. Signals (in and out) are far better than any other antenna I've used (and I've used just about everything!). Ive worked some GREAT DX with it, too, from my Cherokee. A good installation with this antenna can take a while, but the results are worth it. Charlie has been great to work with. His customer support is a HUGE plus to buying this antenna. No, the Hi-Q's aren't cheap, but they work and last. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. Great job, Charlie!!!
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