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Reviews For: Hustler G7-144

Category: Antennas: VHF/UHF+ Omnidirectional: verticals, mobile, etc

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Review Summary For : Hustler G7-144
Reviews: 23MSRP: 160
Description:
7db gain 2 meter base antenna
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00234.6
WB6MYL Rating: 2022-08-10
excellent 2 meter vertical but.... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
If longevity is a factor on how good an antenna is, this design (in one form or another) has been out probably longer than any other 2 meter vertical. I was looking for a dedicated 2 m monoband omni-directional antenna. I wanted something that would take some power. Two meter SSB is very popular here in Southern California and I wanted an alternative to my 13B2 beam (which I love). The antenna is well made and could be a good choice as it will handle 600 watts. Now the caveat: The HRO catalog shows that the bandwidth is 4 MZ. This is NOT true. The manufacturer states in the installation instructions that "the total useable bandwidth is more than 2 MZ." The swr at the freq. that I tuned the antenna for (144.250) was an impressive 1.07 but at the simplex calling freq. (146.52), the swr was 1.7. The repeater at 147.090 showed an swr of 4.0 to 1. I fed the antenna with LMR-600 and reports have been impressive. However, if you are looking for a broadbanded 2 m vertical you may have second thoughts about this antenna. The 13B2 beam has a flat 1.2 swr from 144 to 148. Response to my email to the manufacturer was promptly answered. Download the tuning charts from DX Engineering for extra reference if you decide on this antenna. They are in short supply. Thank you.
AB7HI Rating: 2022-02-23
Hustler G-7 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
First impression out of the box.. Wow. No comparison to a Diamond or Comet antenna. The build quality is outstanding and very solid. I like the aluminum design with the fiberglass phasing coils, the heavy duty mounting bracket and tune ability of the antenna. This thing is built like a tank! I couldn’t be any happier with this antenna! DX Engineering had the best price, free shipping and arrived fast. I run Larsen in the mobile, Hustler at the house and a Diamond for the HT.
KB5ZVV Rating: 2019-01-04
Lasted 25 years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I wrote a review of this antenna back in 2002 when it had been up on my repeater for nine years. Now, after 25 years of service, it finally has failed with high SWR. It is side mounted at about 175 feet with an insulated sway brace, which is the reason for it's long life. I will soon replace the antenna and 1/2 inch coax with a new G7-144 and 7/8 inch Andrew LDF4-50.
W6PMR Rating: 2015-01-26
Update Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is not the best repeater antenna
and is not sold as one. The lower reviews
most seem to revolve around problems when
used at a repeater site.
As a base station antenna it is one of
the best if not THE best I have ever used.
If that is your application then it will
work great, if you want to put it at a
repeater site it is not going to last
against the elements like a DB products
or Phelps Dodge. Then again it does not
cost as much as those antenna's either.
WA3GIN Rating: 2015-01-18
Reliable Performance Time Owned: more than 12 months.
W4AVA has had two of these G7 models for VHF and three for UHF repeaters. All are high power systems. All have been up for ten years. The installations are roof top mast mounts with AGL heights of 425-525' . They are wearing well. We did not treat the antennas with wax, grout sealer, or clear coat.

Expectations need to be reasonable. Repeater antennas mounted up high where wind is constaint require maintenance. Drain holes will clog with urban pollution and pollin. Tapping joints and sealing tape will reduce rain infiltration reducing clogged drain holes and lengthening the time between maintenance visits.

Some say wax or clear coat sealing the lower aluminum element reduces static 'pop' during rain and snow storms.
We will try this on one of the antennas, just for fun.

The G7 line is a Great value for the price. With thoughtful installation and maintenance checks there is no reason these antennas can't last decades.

K5AHH Rating: 2012-08-08
Excellent Overall! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
--I have owned this antenna for 6+ years now. Easy to assemble, handles 1,000 watts (FM mode), can still be found for under $200. It has outperformed every other vertical I have ever used. This really is the best performing 2 meter vertical for the money. The SWR is 1.7:1 or less throughout the entire 2 meter band, so no narrow bandwidth here. Recommended wholeheartedly.
KG6UTS Rating: 2011-05-13
tough antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just refurbed a G7-144 for our club, W6RDF, packet node. Our location is on a bluff 350 ft above the Pacific Ocean so the antenna gets wind and salty air all the time. The material in this older model cleaned up very well, reassembled with a 1:1 swr. I did notice the following:

1: The metal sections held water because the weep holes were plugged. ( why the 4 rating) Opened up the holes with the next larger drill. It would help to tape or ScotchKote the joints.

2: You need to use an anti seize grease or compound on all joints if you ever want to get them apart again. Used a product from DX Engineering

3: The Aluminum cleaned up very well with bronze wool then Flitz. The assembled antenna was given a light coat of Dow Corning 111 to hold back corrosion

We have the 440 version and another G7 144, both will get the same clean up because thay are worth the effort.

73!
EdZ KG6UTS
KC9GMH Rating: 2009-11-19
Great Repeater Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have used my hustler G7 for about 6 weeks now on my 145.23 repeater and the swr is a perfect 1.1 and no duplex noise at all. This antenna is very well built and very happy with it. Works just as good as a super station master antenna.
N1RIK Rating: 2008-09-26
good repeater antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this antenna for over 2 years on my 145.37 repeater. At one point I took it down and used a Tram 1481 so I could run my 2m and 440 repeaters on the same antenna. After noticing wide impedence changes with the 1481 and high swr in the rain (possibly by covering weep holes while rapping the UHF connector??), I switched back to the G7. It has been working great since. I bought this antenna used from N4DBM (formerly KC4FWC). It just seems to work good.
KC9MLL Rating: 2008-06-01
Outstanding! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I am currently borrowing this antenna from a fellow ham.
It came to me in Used condition, but works great!! it is several years old, but it always gets me a good signal report. At this time it is only 20' off the ground. but I am still hitting some really distant repeaters!

I have another antenna for 144, but I'll have to see if he is willing to part with this one!! It works great!!!