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Reviews For: HyGain TH3 MK4

Category: Antennas: HF: Yagi, Quad, Rotary dipole, LPDA

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Review Summary For : HyGain TH3 MK4
Reviews: 34MSRP: 469.95
Description:
Three element triband beam for 10 -15 - 20 meters
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hy-gain.com/hy-gain/products.php
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
14344.4
AA2HA Rating: 2011-02-01
I wish I knew Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered the antenna, directly for hy-gain (MFJ) in October. (today is February 1st) and no antenna. I've spoken to Hy-Gain several times and they tell me that "a part they use for several of their antennas" has been on back-order (from China) for FOUR months) As a result, they can't make several of their antennas until this mystery part arrives. Any distributor with a reasonable price also has these on back-order.
I find it hard to believe they couldn't find another supplier or work out a solution. They are now telling me that they expect the part to be "in" in a few weeks (I've heard this before) and they will be making antennas by March.
I just can't imagine a company like Ht-Gain doesn't have the resources to supply, or find an alternate way to supply their own products. It's very frustrating!
If or when my antenna arrives, I may change this rating (because I have to rate it to post this) and this rating has nothing to do with the performance of the antenna.
I would order a different antenna, but my tower project was constructed with exact sizes to accommodate all the antennas I need.
WB8SCT Rating: 2011-01-10
Poor Manufacturing Quality Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have owned several HyGain antennas and this is the most disappointing. Overall the performance is not bad, but building the antenna with the components supplied can be a hassle. Someone previously noted that the tips are undersized which creates a problem for when trying to clamp them in place. I had to use some small gauge wire as a shim in order to build the antenna. The brackets and hardware supplied was all substandard, not like the previous HyGain quality that I have become use to. This is my last HyGain and for that matter Cushcraft (which is owned by the same company as HyGain). I do not recommend this antenna.
W4RIG Rating: 2010-12-03
Going Strong after two years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I just read my review from December 2008 and wanted to reinforce my high opinion of the TH3-MK4 antenna - I have had over 3000 QSO's in the past 2 years with PSK31 on 40, 20, 17 and 15 M and the antenna has performed very well - I'm usually heard better than my reception of the other signal - operation has been smooth with only a few tugs to align the driven element as it gets a little off horizontal after winter storms - seasonal adjustments are minor. My TH3-MK4 is paired with an MFJ969 roller inductor tuner - it gives me great SWRs on all bands - better with 15-20 than 40 but still very good on 40M (maybe 1.20 vs 1.0) I have contacted stations in Kazakhstan, Asiatic Russia, Western and Central China, Mauritius, South Africa, Chile and Alaska (still trying to find Hawaii)with PSK31 and am very pleased with the operation of this antenna. I note it has a consistently good review status - something I used as a reference before I purchased it - a few sore heads don't detract much from an overwhelming 5/5 by most users who have filed reviews. Thumbs up for this fine antenna.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W4RIG on 2008-12-31

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
PE1NBD Rating: 2010-03-13
Works great so far Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got mine last week after careful consideration which antenna should replace my FB33. Took it up to my mast yesterday and was very pleased with the first results. Good SWR on all bands(adjusted the elements in the "MID" position). Although I only work in SSB-mode the "PHONE" position didn't gave me the right SWR. But now all is OK. Easy to assemble only took me more as 8 hours HI. Did it all by myself without any help. But for those who considering to put some one also, ask for some help to put it up.
EI4HQ Rating: 2009-10-10
Disappointing Assembly Experience Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
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...
EA5FKQ Rating: 2008-12-19
Maybe.. The best 3 el. tribander. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
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.
KL7AI Rating: 2008-12-11
Making the difference! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
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!
KA6EZL Rating: 2008-10-16
Love it Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
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.
N4URW Rating: 2008-08-26
TH3MK3 - GREAT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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)
N2QQF Rating: 2008-06-24
Wonderful Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
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.