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Reviews For: Hy-Gain 14AVQ

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : Hy-Gain 14AVQ
Reviews: 32MSRP: 189.95
Description:
10/15/20/40 Meters
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hy-gain.com/Product.php?productid=AV-14AVQ
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00323.7
KG6IY Rating: 2004-08-28
Excellent Antenna Time Owned: N.A.
Let's see.....My first antenna was a 14-AVS which was the predessessor to the AVQ version. Used as a Novice in 1963 it brought many contacts for the short time I used it. I struggled with an 18-AVS and dipoles for two years (1967-68) and then was off the air until 1972 when I purchased a 14AVQ from K0OQL (Omaha). I used that antenna with and without radials (always ground mounted) through two military moves until 1981 when I left it in LaVista Nebraska due to a divorce and my reasignment to CA. Given all I have read and my experience, I will be erecting a 14 AVQ shortly in my new QTH in Yorba Linda CA within the next 60 days.

I will report my findings here
IZ0EAN Rating: 2004-06-29
Good performance Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I' m using an old 14avq from my summer qth with the IC706. It works very well on 20-15-10m, less on 40m. I did a lot of DX contact from IT9, with 100W.

the only problem is that this antenna need a number or ground radial to perform well, i use 4 radial for each band.
SWR is in specs, no tuner is needed.

73 de IZ0EAN
KH7L Rating: 2004-05-14
Good antenna for the price Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I used this antenna for about 3 years. Mounted on a 10' pipe and elevated radials 2 per band. 100watts barefoot I used it for Contesting. over 6,000 Qs per year. I did miss some rare DX though, but for the cost I can't complain.
KF0W Rating: 2003-06-21
my first antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my first HF antenna. I bought it used at a swap fest. It is the older 14 AVQ, without the "top hat". The 15 meter trap was pretty beat up. It got banged on the side of the house by the wind which probably mashed the coils inside, but it still works really well on 10, 20 and 40 meters. I have made good 5/9 dx with it, so far as far as Lithwania. It would probably get a great rating if 15 meter worked. Does anybody know where I can get a cheap or even free 15 meter trap for this antenna?
Sidney
W8OB Rating: 2003-03-07
excellant Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had one of these several years ago, I had mine mounted on top of a 30 ft push up mast. To stabilize the mast I used some of the radials as guy wires and also used some 300 ohm twin lead for added radials. thing worked like a champ and had very low vswr. you can't blame a antenna for poor install techniques. If memory serves me right the manual for this critter suggested radials especially if it was roof mounted. Other wise this thing held up great and the metal work was very precision. I don't know how these are made today, but I just purchased a 15m 5 el yagi from hygain other than a few missing nuts and bolts, it still looks like hy-gain is building winners.
VE2CU Rating: 2003-03-07
Worked for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I totally agree with N0XE's previous post. The radials are an integral part of the radiation plane of the antenna. They cannot be ignored, especially if mounted rooftop. I've had and enjoyed the 14AVQ for a more than 1 year before changing for a MA5B and worked over 100 new "rare ones", w/100 watts barefoot. Better yet, it works pretty good on the WARC bands with the tuner. The only thing that changed my mind was that it was slightly noisy in my environment. I had initially tried the vertical without the radials with questionable results but once the radials were properly cut & installed, what a change for the better. In a nutshell, cheap, very sturdy & reliable. Try it again with the radials,as per instructions; you'll be pleasantly surprised of the improvement.
Regards & 73's, Michel VE2CU
N0JYC Rating: 2003-03-07
Disappointed! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Put this up a year ago...roof mounted...no radials. Some tuning problems, but played with it. It just doesn't have much punch...poor reports. Took it down and rely on my A-99 and R-6000 and get very good reports from both, also roof mounted.

Am holding on to it and will try it again at summer home.
K0IVK Rating: 2002-09-21
Incredible but true!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Yes, I know it seems almost too strange but it is true. The 20 meter trap I received was UPSIDE down!!! If I put the cap on the bottom end as suggested there would be a hole about one quarter inch square at the top of the trap for water to come into the trap. I have a 20 meter trap from a previous 14AVQ which I can send photos for anyone who is interested. However I can tell you THERE IS NO HOLE on it!!! The one I received also had a 15 meter trap cover which didn't match the others, plus one of the nuts holding the base insulator had been tightened too tight and had cracked the insulator!!! If you have a 14AVQ with this same problem you might want to at least put some tape over the hole or not transmit when its raining. This is one of serveral 14AVQ verticals I have owned, my first had the old black traps about 1959. I was VERY disappointed!!!

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Earlier 2-star review posted by K0IVK on 2002-09-16

I have owned several 14AVQ verticals over the years and they were great antennas. I recently ordered another reluctantly because I knew Hy-Gain sold out to another company. The antenna that I received was a very poor imitation of a Hy-Gain antenna. The 20 meter trap was UPSIDE DOWN, the top was mounted toward the larger end of the tubing,The 15meter trap cover was of a different type of aluminum and didn't match the others,there was a crack in base insulator where the mounting screw had been overtightened. I called to ask about the upside down trap, the (technician ?) said it would work ok just put the top cap on the bottom end!!! That would have left a hole for water to have entered trap!! He said he had other complaints but no one ever called back after he told them to put the top cap on bottom. I sent the antenna back and have been promised I will get refund when it arrives. If you buy or need parts for a Hy-Gain antenna-GOOD LUCK
73's Joe kOIVK
KC5NIS Rating: 2002-09-18
trap is not upside down Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The 20 mtr trap on the 14 avq is constructed differently than the other traps and only appears to be inverted. It has always been this way since it was designed over 30 years ago. The plastic cap is simply on the wrong end. The cap should be on the tapered or pointy end. Hope this helps. 73
NN3M Rating: 2002-05-08
Sturdy -- Good performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I first erected my 14AVQ in the early '70s. I had it mounted on the ground originally, then bought the roof mounting kit (RMK) and installed it on top of my parent's two-story house.

Man what a difference it made! All signals were stronger and DX became a much more regular occurance for me.

The antenna survived many strong storms, including Hurricane Camille. A bit dated now, it is nevertheless a sturdy antenna at a good price point.

73, Steve