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Reviews For: HyGain LJ-203BA

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

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Review Summary For : HyGain LJ-203BA
Reviews: 5MSRP: 350.00
Description:
3 ELEMENT 20M ON 16 (4.9M) BOOM CAN ADJUST TO 17M
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hy-gain.com/Product.php?productid=LJ-203BA
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0053.8
W6DQ Rating: 2023-05-24
Great performer but MFJ needs to review their mfg process Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned HyGain products over 50 years and have always had great results ... until MFJ took them over. Don't get me wrong, this is a good performer, once it is modified enough to be assembled.

Out of the box, none of the element tips would stay retained in the swagged enc. You could not tighten the clamps enough to hold them in place.

The fix was to widen the slots in the swagged ends with a hacksaw. Only then could the ends be clamped in. Just in case, I used TWO clamps on each swagged part.

Next problem was the Beta match. There were SUPPOSED to be pilot holes in the driven element and the boom for the sheet metal screws (another issue!) used to secure the parts. I had to drill the holes myself, and I wasn't all that happy about using sheet metal screws for something as this. Stainless machine screws would have been a better choice.

Like I say, I like the antenna, it is a great performer. I have it mounted at 60 feet on a US Tower DX-555. But, MFJ designers, engineers, production folks and QA (is there any?) need to go back to the drawing board.

BTW - having not learned my lesson with the LJ-203, I purchased an LJ-105. See my review on that one ... similar issues!
N4IJ Rating: 2018-04-04
Poor Quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
One element swage was cracked.
Inner boom sections (heavy wall) were not swaged small enough to allow the outer sections to fit over them. The outer tip elements are smaller than the original design, and they put 4 slots in the tubing so it can be squeezed to fit the smaller tubing. Holes not drilled in driven element for coax connection.

Good thing - the service dept sent replacement inner boom pieces right away.
KD8GEH Rating: 2013-04-27
Great performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hi All,

Bought this antenna at the Dayton Hamvention for a song. Its pretty old (like me) but in fair shape (not like me). Cleaned her up, replaced the needed hardware and remeasured all the elements/spacing per the manual.

No extra cash so I made a home brew air balun ala G3TXQ's data (thanks)great match across the band. Mounted on American Std tower at 55 feet. What a performer! Awesome receive, good FB and side rejection.

I run about usually 100, sometimes 500 watts max and always break the pileups no problem. I'd buy another in a heartbeat. She has been up for over a year now with no issues at all.

See my QRZ page for pics if interested.

73 DE Dave KD8GEH
VE7SNC Rating: 2012-02-13
Awesome on 17m Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought this antenna with full intentions to adapt to 17 meters, and WOW what a performer. I had some greif as to the sizes as HY-GAIN can't seem to find the time to make this a part of the package. So I used some of the measurements from the 204 ba. But with a KW and up 100 feet the thing works better than expected. Love it to death, cheap and tough awesome performance.
N5VU Rating: 2009-05-28
Great! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have always had wire antennas all through out my 33 years as a ham. I chased a lot of DX. Up until now, I didn't know that you could actually catch it! Even without my Ameritron AL-80B, using just the rig, I can still catch the really good DX.

This antena boasts a 5 Db gain over a dipole. Here are a few figures to help convince you. (I'm skipping line loss and going straight with power into the antenna.)

95 watts into the antenna nets you about 300 watts ERP.

950 watts into the antenna will get you about 2900 watts ERP.

1400 watts gets you 4.3Kw ERP.

For you PSK guys: 50 watts into the antenna gets you about 155 watts ERP.

The SWR is 1.5 or less across the whole band.

Good luck and happy "catching."

Marcel N5VU