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Reviews For: Hy-Gain SPT-500

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : Hy-Gain SPT-500
Reviews: 15MSRP: 149.99
Description:
Hy-Gain SPT-500 12/10M vertical
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hy-gain.com/Product.php?productid=SPT-500
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
14153.8
N9XTF Rating: 2014-12-09
Super Penetrator quality issues bit me Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After the original review, the antenna has been in service for approximately two months. The antenna is used primarily on 28.325 MHz with a Drake TR-4Cw as the exciter at a maximum of 150 Watts PEP. The first of December, the SWR jumped from 1.2:1 to 3:1 to infinity in a very short time span. Upon inspection of the antenna, it was found that the upper insulator, between the vertical section and the radial plate, had broken down and arced severely. This deformed the insulator and produced a large blackened area on the radial plate. I contacted HY-Gain (MFJ) yesterday; they agreed to replace the vertical section but commented that it would take a week or so to build. I stated that, due to the overall lack of quality, I wanted the entire antenna replaced, to which they stated it would take three weeks or so to build. At this point, they also wanted to argue that it was a lightening strike that produced the problem; there have been zero lightening strikes in Indiana in December. In addition, there were no other markings on the antenna nor was the gas tube protector taken out nor was there any other gear damaged. The only explanation I can come up with is that there is no place for water to drain from the radial plate; the radial plate is actually taller than the insulator. I suspect that water was laying on the plate and provided the initial arc path until the insulator broke down. When asked about the quality issues of the antenna, the gentleman explained that someone new must have been building that lot of antennas. When and if I receive the replacement, I will modify it with additional insulation between the vertical and the radial plate as well as drilling weep holes in the radial plate to dissipate standing water. I surely hope this is a one-off problem however; it seems to be not only a workmanship issue but an issue with material quality. In the interim, I have reinstalled my 18 year old A-99 to which transmit and receive signals appear to be very close in strength. I am now certain that I should have remained with my old antenna and steered away from the MFJ product.
W8ZT Rating: 2014-05-25
No signs of MFJ Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Antenna seems unchanged since the late 70's. No quality issues. I have mine up 20' temporarily until my tower rework. I have worked countless DX with 5 watts pep from my KX3 . You might buy similar products cheaper, but unless I actually see the other I will reserve comment . 40 years ago I climbed my 40' tower and installed it myself. Now I had to have two neighbors help me with a simple installation. It is a long son of a gun.Wear and tear on the old body really shows up as you get older. All parts were there and the only thing bad was the hose clamps, not really bad, just could be better. Polish the joints inside and out and coat with Noalox and you should be set for a long time. 5/8 th's wave vertical is a classic DX performer
K4THN Rating: 2014-05-24
Most Excellent! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Back in the day, the Hy-Gain Penetrator 500 was the cats meow...and it still is.
After running a Maco 5/8 for the last 6 years on both 10 and 11 meters, (with pretty good results), it got lightning bit being 60ft up on a Rohn 25G. SWR was still 1.4:1, but the RX just wasn't the same.
So I noticed the 500 being made again by Hy-Gain/MFJ...hummm...should I try it out?
Well, I ordered from R&L...the shipping box was actually more than adequate, no damage to the aluminum tubes. Drove a 5ft pipe into the ground with 2ft out of the ground, ready for the antenna assembly.
I did disassemble the lower part workings to see what made it tick. Found a internal 3" piece of 18ga wire soldered into the SO-239, with the other end crimped to a #8 lug, which went under the head of a long stainless screw which has it's other end thru the hard phenolic base, where the hairpin tuning rod mounts. I replaced this wire with 12ga, and soldered it to a new #8 lug. That's the only mod I made, other than using 2 stainless bolt type hose clamps at every clamp location position...nothing coming loose here..LOL.
Assembly on the ground mount pipe was easy.
I did shorten the radiator length by 8" so as to give it a better SWR spread.
After installing on tower, the results are:
26.815- 1.7:1
28.440- 1.7:1
Lowest SWR- 27.600
Of course, if you only want it for 10 meters, then set the radiator length a bit shorter. They only mention "for 10/12m use only" to get away from the all metal antenna sales restriction to the 11m users .
I can report most excellent results on TX & RX...with a bit of annoyance to the electrical power line buzzing I get now...humm..what is causing this...more so than other antennas at the same height..?
That's for another day to figure out.
Oh..and by the way, the first length of aluminum radiator tubing off the base is a much larger diameter, so hopefully it will not be the weak spot that bends on those Maco's in 70mph winds.
(if you want to chat with your thoughts on the power line buzzing being worse with this antenna, send me an email to K4THNatTWCdotcom) TNX!
KA7NIQ Rating: 2013-12-04
Good, But Nothing Special Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I had one of these way back in the very early 80's, when I was first licensed.
I used it on 10 meters, and it did pretty well.
It covered from 28 to 29 mhz, under 1.7.1 swr, and it was well built.
But today, you can go on Ebay, and get the Jetstream and Maco 5/8 wave antennas for less money.
In fact, I just saw an 11 meter 5/8 wave antenna, with 4 - 9 ft radials on Ebay for 59.00 + shipping (12-3-2013).
It was either a Workman or a Jetstream Brand.
The Hy Gain antenna is built a little better, but I live in Florida, where Ice Storms do not happen.
I just can't see paying nearly 3 times as much for this antenna.


WR0F Rating: 2012-01-22
Super Nice 10 meter vertical Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This antenna has now performed flawlessly since July 2011 and working DX has been easy with 100 watts.
This antenna worked perfectly during 10 meter band openings and has gone through some high 80+ mph winds .
I would recommend this to anyone wanting a 5/8 wave vertical to use on 10 meters .
I just wished they had the old style hy-gain type clamps with the bolt and nut instead of using hose clamps to hold the tubing tight.
We purchased ours for $139.99 @ www.randl.com model # SPT500