Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Hygain TailTwister

Category: Antenna Rotators & Accessories

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Hygain TailTwister
Reviews: 45MSRP: 649.95
Description:
20 sq. ft. wind load rotator
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hy-gain.com/products.php?prodid=T-2X
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00453
NG4F Rating: 2020-10-05
poor quality Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The rotor constantly locked up. I had to tap the brake to get it to unlock, and had to tap side to side controls to get it to move. Now the control box caught fire. I put a different box on, and it is locked, the brake wont even click. Mighty Fine Junk. This is after 10 years with a th-11.
KM8N Rating: 2019-09-14
A word of caution Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Tail Twister appears to be a great rotor and that why my club decided to use one to replace our worn out Ham 5. The issue is the template in the back of the manual is NOT TO SCALE. DO NOT USE IT!!!
The printer must have change the scaling! We cut it out and centered it on our rotor plate and center punched all 6 holes then drilled them out to the prescribed size. Of course 1 hole would line up all the other are off, so we made swiss cheese out of our rotor plate. Thanks HyGain. Again I sure it's going to work just fine just make your own template.
N7BT Rating: 2016-03-09
Horrible Rotor Time Owned: more than 12 months.
For years they were the best on the market. Inside tower mount turning a 4 element SteppIR. 3 tail Twisters in 6 years. I have one on a TH-7 and it is fine but for anything bigger than that, save your money (and time) and get something that won't disappoint! I replaced it with an Alfa Spid RAK. Twice the torque, no brake to shear and about the same money..A no brainer in my mind.....
KC6RCM Rating: 2015-03-28
Overrated, for what it can actually do. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased a Hy-Gain T-2X rotor new and it failed twice in as many years. Turning a 10 sq. ft. wind area antenna that weighs 100 pounds, the rotor was mounted within a US HDX-572 tower that also utilizes a thrust bearing for support. The antenna is mounted one foot above the thrust bearing and there were no binding issues with the mast and thrust bearing assembly. I was also versed in the operation of the brake release and engagement procedure of the rotor, but mechanical problems still persisted. Frustrated, I went with an Orion 2800P, which is a more robust product, shares the same bolt pattern as the Hy-Gain and was a simple installation. I have not experienced any issues with the Orion unit in 8 years of service.
WR0F Rating: 2014-08-16
Not like the old T2X Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well we have 2 Tail twister rotors 1 that was purchased way back in the late 80's and 1 that was purchased 5-27-2013 .
Well the 1st one keeps on working but the new one quit working right when the warranty ran out .
I put the old one back in the tower as it was the spare .So I give the 80's version a solid 5 stars and the new version MFJ type a solid 1 as it should have lasted a few more years before it needed any repairs.
KI4FJS Rating: 2014-04-15
excellent when used with right antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I acquired my T2X used from AF3R and it has turned a 6 element Telrex and a TH7DXX with only one problem in 20 years, and that was to replace the ccw winding. The secret: it is mounted in the base of my tower 3 feet above the ground through a self-devised system of support. The antenna is supported on a 1 1/2" pipe through the top thrust bearing so that all the weight rests on a front wheel bearing from a pick-up truck on a home-brew steel plate 12 feet down from the top, and from there down internal 1 inch pipes run through another steel plate at 20 feet into the rotor sitting on another steel plate. The rotor carries no weight; it only turns the antenna...voila!
WA8MAX Rating: 2013-11-01
Poor Quality components Time Owned: more than 12 months.
replaced this rotor every 3 yrs/ so far
this well be the 3rd one- gears stripped out
turning a Mosley Pro 67-C3 no binding found
anytime-one time the Bell was split-I do not
send in for repair anymore-last 1 repaired lasted 7 mos,we hav wind at times 40-50 mph
The antenna is 12 sq ft and is 120lbs.
Will not buy one agn
W9KNI Rating: 2013-05-14
It died - after 25 years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Two nights ago it quit. Actually it did not quiet die - but it took 3 minutes to move my antenna 100 degrees. But I really needed it to do that so I have no complaint- I got the QSO I wanted.

The rotator was used on three different towers in 3 different states for over 25 years, and never failed me until now. It spent the last 15 years turning a Bencher Skyhawk. During that period it was opened once, when the tower was being replaced, and I took the opportunity to add a quick disconnect kit from CATS, and while I was inside I cleaned and regreased the bearings.

At this point I am pretty sure something in the gear train has failed; I will get the parts and rebuild it. It has proven one of the most reliable pieces of machinery I have ever owned.

In the mean time another Tail Twister has replaced it; one that has been held in reserve for many years.



G3RZP Rating: 2012-08-03
No problems Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had a T2X up since 1986. Started with a 205BA on top of the tower rotor cage, with a 4 ele interlaced beam for 10 and 15. Went to 4 ele Steppir quite a few years back - must be 6 or more.

Have fitted time delay relays, and a 'boost' to 48 volts for a second to make sure the wedge brake pulls out. Got rid of the terminal strip, put bypass caps on the position indicator pot - running a vertical with beams as top loading burnt it up. Replaced the balls a couple of times as they do corrode, washed it out with WD40 first.

26 years on, still going. I think you have to mount it in a rotor cage, though.
KI0Z Rating: 2012-08-03
Poor Time Owned: more than 12 months.
KI0Z Rating: 5/5 Nov 2, 2008 10:11 Send this review to a friend
SUPER Heavy Duty ! Time owned: more than 12 months
I have a Hygain TH-11 in a high and windy area. MY experance showed that the tailtwisters lasted just over 2 years by a few months,the BIG Yaesu 2800 lasted just under 2 years both times,but the Orian (M2) 2800 lasted over 7.5 years (B4 the latested upgrade MOD's) and was easy to cal when needed. The performance was outstanding. 73 GL & DX