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Reviews For: Hy-Gain TH-3JRS

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

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Review Summary For : Hy-Gain TH-3JRS
Reviews: 29MSRP: $359.95
Description:
Three element triband beam for 10 -15 - 20 meters
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hy-gain.com/products.php?prodid=TH-3JRS
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00293.1
K4IA Rating: 2009-07-21
Weep holes go down Time Owned: more than 12 months.
We've used one at Field Day. I have no idea how old it is but it was once permanently mounted and has probably been in use for more than 15-20 years. Always performs well, except for the one year we installed it with the traps upside down - weep holes were pointed up. It rained and the antenna went to garbage. When we took it down the traps were full of water. It worked fine the next year after drying out. This is an easy mistake to make. Perhaps that is the issue with the previous reviewer.
VK3LMR Rating: 2009-07-19
Serves the purpose Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought from MFJ but took a LONG time to even ship and many emails went unanswered. Almost gave up and canceled.

The mounting clamps where too flimsy and had to be replaced.

That's the bad points out of the way. Yes it is flimsy, but it is also light weight and I have a light weight rotator and lightweight mast, so it suits me well. Performance is great compared to a dipole on 20M. It is mounted ontop of a hill, in a windy sub-alpine area. It has survived winter with 90km/h winds, that lasted for 24 hours. It was an ugly site watching it bend and sway, the elements looked bent almost 45 degrees at times and I was sure it was going to be damaged, but it came out straight and true.

For my setup, this is a great antenna and I am happy with it.
WX4O Rating: 2009-02-17
Good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had one in the late 70's. It worked very well when atop my 40' crank up mast. As a comparison pricewise, I bought the antenna, heavy duty 40' crank up, Ham M rotator and control box as a package, delivered, for about $550. Fantastic deal.
KG4UXR Rating: 2009-02-17
do not bother Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
well i wish i had checked here first, like i normaly do. i was very disappointed in this antenna, the poor part specs and customer support sum up every thing a night mare consists of. i have ended up shipping it back for a refund, after looking at the antenna in the box i could tell it would not stand up to the spring weather here in NC. i decided to build my own for under $150.
W5WS Rating: 2008-11-20
Pleasantly Surprised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
If I could, I would give this a 4.5/5. The only downside is that it is very lightly built. I wouldn't use this where ice is a problem and you can't use it with an amp (600 watt rating, but why tempt fate). If you can live with those limitations, it is a good value. I have the antenna mounted at 36 ft on a Glen Martin 18 ft roof top tower with a 6 ft mast. The antenna tunes the full cw or phone band under 2:1 on 20 meters and the whole band on 15 and 10 meters. The gain over my Hustler vertical is amazing, way better than dipoles I've had also. If you've never had a beam antenna, you really need to treat yourself to one, the difference has to be heard. The noise level on the bands is much lower also. I usually have no trouble busting pile ups or working DX with 100 watts from my K3. I worked 45 countries in a little over a month after I first put it up, about 10 of those were new countries for me. Ham radio is fun again. Best contact: Germany on 20 watts after I forgot to adjust the power after switching from PSK to SSB. For pictures or questions feel free to email roblitespeed@hotmail.com
Rob
NV5E
VK4TJF Rating: 2007-12-23
junk Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
i got a TH3JNR from my local ham club that needed extensive referbishment. so i called to MFJ and ordered parts many times because they had thier head in the fog and couldn't send the parts that i ordered. the antenna itself is not structurally strong due to the poor boom to element clamps. the boom is actually split and that causes problems as well. it sags worse the my grandmothers, well your know. the element tubbing is not strong because the wall thickness and diameter is not thicker. this antenna is very light weight and easy to install, however unsafe in a good storm.
KD2E Rating: 2007-12-23
(use to be) Great!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I am reviewing the one I had. I bought it for $99.95 brand new from Lafayette in 1975. It lasted over 20 years...and still could be going today if a lunkhead construction guy didn't catch a guy wire and smash it to bits.
First...this is a light-duty antenna, so you have to consider that. It won't handle wicked winds, or ice...or a KW amp for that matter!
The only reason you should not buy one today is that Hy-Gain no longer exists. They are now MFJ, and any ham who values his money knows better and stays as far away from them as possible. So, if I had to buy a new tribander today...I dunno what I'd do....Cushcraft always was junk, Hy-Gain is now MFJ...Does Mosley still make tribanders???
WA2CAM Rating: 2007-12-22
Poor Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The antenna was a great performer when it was up in perfect weather. It did survived an ice storm and some windy conditions. Although I have seen it sway severly in the wind if the beam was not pointed a certain way. The general construction I would say is on the weaker side and not as strong as it should be. In the fall of 2007, I discovered that a trap was broken and lowered the tower for inspection. The one 10 Meter Reflector trap was broken, and the other was loose. I ordered two new traps from Hygain. This was in Mid October 2007. I was advised that the traps were in stock and would ship. Two weeks later I contacted the company only to be told they needed to be manufactured and would not be done until that next week. Then the shipment would be right after that. A month later having not received the parts I again called and was advised they were not made but would be in a couple of weeks. It is now Christmas time and no traps. Over 2.5 months later. The customer service from this company is not good and it appears they dont care. It is OK to sell new, but not provide any service.For $24 in parts that should have been on hand or shipped soon, a good customer is lost. Service and attitude are definately bad and I do not recommend the products for use as service is non-existent.
WA8TM Rating: 2007-01-30
Don't bother Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Poor construction quality and non-existent tech support. A real disappointment. Assembled according to directions, but first rainstorm sent the SWR sky high. Opened the traps and found moisture in all of them (and a few minor manufacturing flaws). Dried them out, reassembled while double- and triple-checking directions, and everything was fine again until the next rainstorm. Same story. Had to use exterior silicone caulk on everything to prevent a recurrence. Meanwhile was seeking help from tech support to no avail. First e-mail went out two months ago - no response. Second e-mail went out 6 weeks ago - no response. Forget it.