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| Reviews Summary for Hexbeam: G3TXQ by MW0JZE |
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Reviews: 31
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $£475.00 + Shipping
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Description: Description: A six band broadband Hexagonal Beam Antenna designed by Steve G3TXQ and manufactured in the UK by Anthony MW0JZE. Comparable performance to a full size two element yagi on bands 20M – 6M with no tuner needed! Antenna is made in a pre-assembled form meaning a quite assembly time with no tuning involved, just assemble and mount to your mast. Full spec can be found on Anthony’s web site wwwg3txq-hexbeam.com Price £475 GBP plus shipping
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.g3txq-hexbeam.com
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write your own review of the Hexbeam: G3TXQ by MW0JZE.
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9U4U
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 19, 2013 02:30
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Very well built!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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For the 9U4U DXpedition we used 3 Hexbeams, 2 professional made by MW0JZE and one homebrew. At the third day of operation we all of sudden were hit by a tropical storm with gusts up to 60mph. While the first two had no or minor damage the homebrew Hexbeam was completely destroyed. Several team-members were so impressed with the mechanical and electrical performance that they ordered a Hexbeam for personal use right after the DXpedition.
One damaged spreader was replaced for free with the extra order, great customer service!
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M0HDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 23, 2013 14:39
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Impressive
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I can only reilliterate what so many others have said about the fantastic G3TXQ hex beam antenna made by MW0JZE.
Flat swr across all 6 bands
light weight
quality parts and fantastic build quality
superb comms (regular updates on progress)
simple to construct out the box
good instruction manual
works superb
I took a 2 element 5 band lightning bolt cubical quad down that had been on the tower for 2 years and replaced it with the hex beam,The quad was superb on all bands apart from 10m where i found performance down compared to the other bands,The hex beam works superb on 10m and far better than the lightning bolt quad.The quad is slightly better than the hex on the other bands but only by a small margin.I had a nice suprise when i started using my new hex beam @ 75ft on the tower, plenty of 5/9+ reports and i managed to get through some of the big pileups.
I highly recommend the hex beam.
jim M0HDX
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ON4ADN
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 18, 2012 05:56
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Superb antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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was looking for a smaller antenna and saw the Hexbeam. I needed a strong antenna so I can use the antenna for years. The fiberglas is very strong and also the new center post is great without coax and made by alluminium pipe. One problem was that we may use high power and on CW/DATA 1 rope melted down. Thats not a big problem because Ant is working on it and my Hex will be repaired with teflon insulators when the weather permits.
Its excellent and I worked all station I could here.
Its a 5 !!!
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M0TMC
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 13, 2012 05:57
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SUPERB
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I told ant MW0JZE i would leave a review after I had a chance to really test this antenna. Without reservation I can honestly say this is the best antenna I have ever had up on my roof. This antenna has opened a whole new world of ham radio for me. I have made more DX contacts in the last 3 months than I have in the last 5 years. I am not always the first station to bust a pileup, but I always get the contact made within 15 or 20 call's. I am so impressed with this antenna I ordered my first Amplifier this morning!! If you like DX, or just really solid 59 contacts, you just can't go wrong with this antenna, totally plug and play,no lossy traps,no tuner required.
And all assembled and in the air in less than 1.5 hours!!!! P.S If i could give it a 6 out of 5 i would.
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G6NHU
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 25, 2012 06:59
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A worthwhile upgrade from an MA-5B
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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My summary says "A worthwhile upgrade from an MA-5B" but I need to add one caveat to that. I think that the G3TXQ hexbeam by MW0JZE is not as good as the MA-5B on 10m but it out performs it on all the other bands.
I replaced my MA-5B with a Hexbeam just over six months ago. I'd had problems with the high power handling capabilities of the Cushcraft and if you search the MA-5B reviews, you'll see my comments. One of the main reasons I chose the Hex as a replacement was for the higher power rating on data modes. I operate a lot of data contests running high power and a high duty cycle and so the ability for the aerial to handle 400w of data for long periods was very important to me.
Unfortunately, the Hexbeam as supplied to me couldn't handle that sort of power in wet conditions and I managed to burn out the separator cords during a contest. Ant modified the elements/cords and replaced the whole set only for them to fail again when I was warming up for another contest. I must stress that these failures only happened when it was raining heavily.
Ant made another modification to the elements and I believe that has resolved the problem as I can now run high power and a high duty cycle for long periods of time in the wet with no problem. All new Hexbeams are manufactured with the new elements.
So, with that out of the way, on to the aerial itself. These are manufactured to order so don't expect to order one and receive it the next day, mine took around six weeks to arrive from placing my order but MW0JZE will advise you when you order as to how long it's likely to be. The quality of this aerial is second to none and it's very easy to put together. I managed to take down my old aerial, assemble the Hexbeam and put it on the mast and raise it in less than two hours. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow and there are a series of videos on YouTube showing each individual step. You really can't go wrong.
It seems a strange thing to say but the visual impact of this aerial is less than my previous mini-beam, even though the Hexbeam is physically larger. I think it's because it doesn't have all the sticky out capacitor hats of the MA-5B but my neighbours agree, this looks smaller when the mast is raised.
Performance wise, it's very good for what is a compromise aerial. It easily out-performs an MA-5B on all bands except 10m where I think the Cushcraft has the edge. It's nice to have a real two elements on 12m and 17m where I've been used to just a rotary dipole.
Tuning isn't an issue. The aerial works perfectly over the complete width of the bands it covers. I don't own any ATU other than the one built into the TS-590 so this was a major plus point for me. I wanted to be able to use my amplifier with no ATU and that's exactly what I can do on all bands from 20m to 6m.
Ant, MW0JZE offers superb customer services. I've had quite a few email exchanges with him and he's more than happy to help and spent quite a lot of time sorting out the problems I had.
Can I recommend the Hexbeam?
If 10m isn't your main band of operation then the answer is a resounding Yes! If all you want to work is 10m then you're better off with a monoband beam and that's why I've rated this as 4/5 - It is still a compromise aerial, albeit a good one.
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G3RXQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 19, 2012 16:06
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Mid Term Report
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned my HexBeam for nearly 2 years, so now is a good time to write a report.
It has exceeded my expectations in so many ways.
Even though it is only at 22ft the performance is great. It just works...
The support from Ant has been fantastic, both when it came to making changes to suit my way of erecting the antenna, but also replacing without question a couple of slightly defective parts.
Whether using it at home or portable the HexBeam has proved itself time and time again.
I look forward to many more years using this well made, great performing antenna.
Stewart G3RXQ
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PA3GWO
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 14, 2012 13:54
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Excellent!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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After using a homebrew classic one for 3 years I decided to get a more solid and broadband model.
It is up now since 4 months and after looking at the youtube videos you can almost build it blindfolded , what a joy!
It is a very solid antenna with a low swr on every band and customerservice is great .
This one will be serving me for many years and for those who are hesitating, don,t !Get one and enjoy it.
Regards Tony PA3GWO
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PC4U
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 11, 2012 07:19
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40 meter ready!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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for those who want to build their 6 band antenna also for 40 meters band , look at QRZ.com (PC4U). It shows pictures and a manual how it's made.
I have this antenna now for more than 2 years, to full satisfaction. And with the shortened el 40 meter antenna (loading coils) this antenna makes it even more beautiful.
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G0DME
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 3, 2012 14:23
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Excellent
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Purchased my Hexbeam in 2011 to replace a Cushcraft MA5B. It is true as stated " plug and play". No cutting of elements to tune all done and ready to go. I had a local group of Amateurs to assemble and erect very eager to see the construction and visual impact for my neighbours sake. All very impressed with the solid construction and performance. You may have to wait for delivery as Ant only makes them to order. Pleased I waited for mine. Jack G0DME.
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