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Reviews For: Hi-Q-Antennas-5 (dash 5)

Category: Antennas: HF Mobile & Accessories

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Review Summary For : Hi-Q-Antennas-5 (dash 5)
Reviews: 32MSRP: Varies - See website
Description:
The Hi-Q-5/80 Giant HF Mobile antenna
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hiqantennas.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00325
KF6IKC Rating: 2008-01-10
Not just for mobile! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the 5/80RT not for mobile use but as a "stealth" antenna for my home. I live in a condo so I can not put up a tower or large antenna system. I wanted something I could easily change bands with and that could handle 500-600 watts.
After many emails and a few phone calls to Charlie I decided on the 5/80RT....and boy am I happy with it!
I have it mounted on the top rail of a 4' chainlink fence in my back yard. Using the the top rail as the counterpoise. I bound the top sections of the top rail with braided ground strap and have a total of 90+ feet.
Some people have told me that the way I have it set up wont work. That is after they have given me a 5-9+ report! All I know is that I am back on the air after 3 years of no talking and having a blast.
Build quality is the best I have seen. Performance is awesome for a what I am using it for.
I have 4' of cap hat mast and the big cap hat plus added two 6' telescoping wips to the cap hat. I could not get a good match on 40 and 80 as the feedpoint was 32 ohms. So I am using a small shunt coil at the base of the antenna for 40 and 80. I get a 1.1 with a 52 ohm input on 80 and a 1.0 @ 52 ohms on all other bands.
I am also using the KO6YD SAM controller to move bands with.
Hope this helps anyone who may be in the same spot I am in and needs a small antenna to get on the air with.

73 Stan
PA3FAW Rating: 2007-12-14
far out the best there is Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I had 7 different HF mobile antennas through the past 25 years but the HiQ 5/80 I own now is far out the best mobile antenna I ever had. Chapeau Charlie !

PA3VOS (ex PA3FAW)
K0BG Rating: 2007-10-18
Top Drawer Performance Time Owned: more than 12 months.
If you own one of these antennas, and drive it with an Icom IC-7000, you need a Better RF Screwdriver antenna controller. Although it say "screwdriver" in its name, it perfectly mates with the HiQ series.

I've owned my 580RTM for nearly three years. I have no regrets whatsoever. About the only way you'll ever beat it, is to run a full quarter wave antenna. Sort of hard to do on 80 meters!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K0BG on 2006-04-16

The HiQ series of antennas are ruggedly built, perform as advertised, and of a unique design. Unlike other brands of remotely tuned antennas (aka screwdrivers), the HiQ is sealed from the ravages of the environment, and it doesn't change length as the frequency is adjusted. Are there drawbacks? Yes.

First, they cost more. But weighed against their superior features, the extra cost is easily justified.

You have to keep the unit clean. This isn't a problem if you follow the HiQ's suggestion about using Rain-X.

Operationally, the only problem is inherent in the basic design. When the coil is positioned at it highest frequency, there is still some active coil left in the circuit. If you use an 8 foot whip as I do (to maximize performance), you can just use 17 meters. To use 15, 12, or 10 meters, you either have to install a shorter whip, or tune to a harmonic which isn't easy.

Lastly, they are heavy and proper mounting is a necessity.
K6HPX Rating: 2007-05-16
THE GOLD STANDARD Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have been using a pre-production HI-5/EX. This item joins my rather short list of amateur radio products that set the Gold Standard for their category. Like the rest of the HI-Q line, workmanship and performance is top-notch. This is a serious antenna for serious mobileers.
N1DL Rating: 2007-04-30
incredible performance and quality Time Owned: more than 12 months.
after having owned a HI-Q 3-80 for 2 years I bought two 5-160 antennas from Charlie to experiment with NVIS in a V configuration on a tripod. They worked very well for this purpose. Now I am using one on the roof mounted to an airconditioner and another one on the back of my Hummer. Both antennas work exceptionally well. During the recent contest I worked DX on 80 and 160m and stations could not believe I was using a mobile antenna. DX on 20 and 40 m is no problem.
If you keep the antenna clean with Rain-EX you will have a super antenna both mobile and fixed that can take a KW without problem.

www.n1dl.com 73 Karl
AL7QQ Rating: 2007-03-21
Great Antenna! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought and installed a Hi-Q 5/160 on my Pick-up and have thouroughly grounded it as directed and ensured all bonding I could possibly was done. I've had great success working 40m, 75m and 160m mobile all over the US with better than average reports while mobile. After the antenna hit and killed an owl while mobile, I sent the antenna back to the shop for some repairs and they returned it in a very timely fashion with upgradesto stronger materials at no extra costs incurred to me. The workmanship of this antenna is superior to any other mobile antennas I've ever owned. I couldn't be happier with a different antenna. I plan on buying the Hi-Q 4-160 for my YL's van next. The antenna does require checking the bolts on a regular basis to ensure they aren't loose due to road vibration and the coil housing has to be kept exceptionally clean to avoid problems. The only problem I've experienced is that the cap hat wires snap in extreme cold weather while running down the road. Other than that this is an exceptional antenna and highly recommend it to anyone that does serious mobile operations.
KC2G Rating: 2006-09-21
Can't Touch This Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used a 5/80RT for more than two years now and enjoyed it thoroughly. Before that I used a spider-type dummy load (actually, for what it was it wasn't horrible) and of course the difference is night and day.

Charlie's products are great. I continually surprise people if I don't sign /m when they find I'm in motion.

Keep it clean, do what you're supposed to do and enjoy! It just keeps getting better.

Art

Oh...and go to www.kg4nbl.com for some great information, pictures, and encouragement in your mobile quest.
K6RQR Rating: 2006-07-10
Superb mobile antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have used two of Charlie's antennas before the 5/160RT. The last one was the 3" Short model which worked great. When I finally decided that it would be necessary to drill a hole or two in my car to create a proper mount I decided to buy the 5" model with 160 meter capability. I really enjoy operating Top Band mobile.
The antenna arrived well packed in the usual heavy duty shipping tube and I had it hooked up to my existing homebrew mag mount (16" square) in short order. I concentrated on the lower bands and found that the antenna tunes very smoothly making the lowest SWR adjustment easy indeed. I checked in with a group in Utah on 160 and received an S9 report. Next came contacts on 40 and 75 to the other parts of the U.S. and some DX into Europe on 20 meters. It is very pleasing to hear that "you have a really good signal for a mobile".
As to the build quality it is very impressive. The coil is sealed and with minimal care and cleaning I expect this antenna to last a long, long time. Also, I have already seen how Charlie stands beind his antennas. Its true that these antennas cost more than other models but they are in a class by themselves. Highly recommended!


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Earlier 5-star review posted by K6RQR on 2005-11-21

Until recently I was using a 80-10 4" Bugcatcher antenna on my small car, a Geo Metro. However, because it was too tall for driving (2 foot base section and 10 1/2 foot whip, on the roof with a mag mount) I contented myself with operating while parked. Lately I wondered if there was a way to operate while driving and I decided on Charlie's Short Stealth design with the 3" coil. I figured that I could still augment it with a longer base section and extended whip while parked but that I could mount it on the roof (minimum ground loss) and still use a 6 foot whip for legal clearance. The antenna arrived in a heavy duty tube and was well packed. It is a beautiful piece of work. Charlie used to work in the aerospace industry and it shows. I wired my car up with a source of power for the motor and tried out my new antenna on 75, 60 and 40 meters. The results were excellent. The antenna tunes smoothly using the SWR meter of my Kenwood TS-480HX and 5 watts activated by the PF button set for tune. I received many good signal reports and had the pleasure of people calling me from across the country when I signed off with another station. The only thing that remains is to find an appropriate mount such as the Diamond K400 to attach it to the hatchback door. I have tried to make this rig as stealthy as possible as I had a previous rig stolen from my locked car in broad daylight. The Hi-Q Short Stealth stores very well behind my passenger seat under a towel. It is only about 30" long but its performance is great. What a pleasure it is to be able to go from band to band without having to change taps. There have been several recent improvements to Charlie's antennas at no increase in cost. In fact, this antenna would be an excellent substitute for the ATAS series of antennas, not only because it is so much more efficient but because it costs less! Lastly, I called Charlie to ask some questions about matching particulars, antenna controllers, etc. and found him very friendly and helpful. I got the inporession of a man who is proud of his antennas and will stand by them. Highly recommended!
KT0DD Rating: 2006-02-01
Fantastic... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just got my HiQ 5/80 up and running with a TS480HX 200 watt mobile. I'm getting compliments left & right with this combo. Busting pileups mobile & hearing "you're Mobile?" has me sold. Thanks Charlie & good job. 73, Todd - KT0DD
W4TOO Rating: 2005-12-21
The best HF Moble antenna I've seen. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
HiHi w4too Ray.This is the best moble antenna I have ever purchased,outstanding reports from all over the world.easy to use,and install.Charlie was very helpful and supports his product in anyway he can.I am a disabled Iraq war vetran,and without my knowing Charlie even gave me a discount and paid the shipping to my door.just for my service in Iraq.(This was not a handout,he is a proud American and supports the troops anyway he can.)Thanks Charlie and HI-Q antennas.for making my life easier and enjoy the hobby of Ham Radio.