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Reviews For: Hexbeam: G3TXQ by MW0JZE

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

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Review Summary For : Hexbeam: G3TXQ by MW0JZE
Reviews: 94MSRP: £475.00 + Shipping
Description:
Description: A six band broadband Hexagonal Beam Antenna designed by Steve G3TXQ and manufactured in the UK by Anthony MW0JZE. Comparable performance to a full size two element yagi on bands 20M – 6M with no tuner needed! Antenna is made in a pre-assembled form meaning a quite assembly time with no tuning involved, just assemble and mount to your mast. Full spec can be found on Anthony’s web site wwwg3txq-hexbeam.com Price £475 GBP plus shipping
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.g3txq-hexbeam.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
25945
G6NHU Rating: 2012-11-25
A worthwhile upgrade from an MA-5B Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
My summary says "A worthwhile upgrade from an MA-5B" but I need to add one caveat to that. I think that the G3TXQ hexbeam by MW0JZE is not as good as the MA-5B on 10m but it out performs it on all the other bands.

I replaced my MA-5B with a Hexbeam just over six months ago. I'd had problems with the high power handling capabilities of the Cushcraft and if you search the MA-5B reviews, you'll see my comments. One of the main reasons I chose the Hex as a replacement was for the higher power rating on data modes. I operate a lot of data contests running high power and a high duty cycle and so the ability for the aerial to handle 400w of data for long periods was very important to me.

Unfortunately, the Hexbeam as supplied to me couldn't handle that sort of power in wet conditions and I managed to burn out the separator cords during a contest. Ant modified the elements/cords and replaced the whole set only for them to fail again when I was warming up for another contest. I must stress that these failures only happened when it was raining heavily.

Ant made another modification to the elements and I believe that has resolved the problem as I can now run high power and a high duty cycle for long periods of time in the wet with no problem. All new Hexbeams are manufactured with the new elements.

So, with that out of the way, on to the aerial itself. These are manufactured to order so don't expect to order one and receive it the next day, mine took around six weeks to arrive from placing my order but MW0JZE will advise you when you order as to how long it's likely to be. The quality of this aerial is second to none and it's very easy to put together. I managed to take down my old aerial, assemble the Hexbeam and put it on the mast and raise it in less than two hours. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow and there are a series of videos on YouTube showing each individual step. You really can't go wrong.

It seems a strange thing to say but the visual impact of this aerial is less than my previous mini-beam, even though the Hexbeam is physically larger. I think it's because it doesn't have all the sticky out capacitor hats of the MA-5B but my neighbours agree, this looks smaller when the mast is raised.

Performance wise, it's very good for what is a compromise aerial. It easily out-performs an MA-5B on all bands except 10m where I think the Cushcraft has the edge. It's nice to have a real two elements on 12m and 17m where I've been used to just a rotary dipole.

Tuning isn't an issue. The aerial works perfectly over the complete width of the bands it covers. I don't own any ATU other than the one built into the TS-590 so this was a major plus point for me. I wanted to be able to use my amplifier with no ATU and that's exactly what I can do on all bands from 20m to 6m.

Ant, MW0JZE offers superb customer services. I've had quite a few email exchanges with him and he's more than happy to help and spent quite a lot of time sorting out the problems I had.

Can I recommend the Hexbeam?

If 10m isn't your main band of operation then the answer is a resounding Yes! If all you want to work is 10m then you're better off with a monoband beam and that's why I've rated this as 4/5 - It is still a compromise aerial, albeit a good one.
G3RXQ Rating: 2012-11-19
Mid Term Report Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned my HexBeam for nearly 2 years, so now is a good time to write a report.

It has exceeded my expectations in so many ways.

Even though it is only at 22ft the performance is great. It just works...

The support from Ant has been fantastic, both when it came to making changes to suit my way of erecting the antenna, but also replacing without question a couple of slightly defective parts.

Whether using it at home or portable the HexBeam has proved itself time and time again.

I look forward to many more years using this well made, great performing antenna.

Stewart G3RXQ
PA3GWO Rating: 2012-10-14
Excellent! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
After using a homebrew classic one for 3 years I decided to get a more solid and broadband model.
It is up now since 4 months and after looking at the youtube videos you can almost build it blindfolded , what a joy!

It is a very solid antenna with a low swr on every band and customerservice is great .

This one will be serving me for many years and for those who are hesitating, don,t !Get one and enjoy it.

Regards Tony PA3GWO
PC4U Rating: 2012-03-11
40 meter ready! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
for those who want to build their 6 band antenna also for 40 meters band , look at QRZ.com (PC4U). It shows pictures and a manual how it's made.

I have this antenna now for more than 2 years, to full satisfaction. And with the shortened el 40 meter antenna (loading coils) this antenna makes it even more beautiful.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by PC4U on 2010-06-21


I have been looking for an Antenna to replace my Cushcraft MA5B
Minibeam, because of it’s losses in the traps and because the MA5B has
got just 1 element on the Warc bands.

I’m not saying the MA5B is a bad antenna. Not at all. It’s a great
working antenna for people who do have less space for big antenna’s.

The hexbeam arrived just after four day’s Anthony shipped the package
into the Netherlands. Well packed and oh boy it’s wonderful made!

Unfortunately no manual was included how to build, but it’s quite simple
to do, also without the manual.

It took me a about 3 Hours to put all together on my mast and connect
everything properly to my rig.

I checked SWR on all bands and all looked good ( 1:1,5 or lower). The
first results: Much quieter than the MA5B and the signals are at least
2-S point higher than with the MA5B. Front to back is amassing. No QRM
from behind and the reports are wonderfull. No more shouting on
pile-ups. Just one or two times and they picked me up. Worked JA, LU,
WA, OA, YB for example in the first two days with s9 or S9+ reports.

I would recommend this antenna to anyone looking to get a low cost
directional antenna for the HF bands and also 6m.
G0DME Rating: 2012-03-03
Excellent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Purchased my Hexbeam in 2011 to replace a Cushcraft MA5B. It is true as stated " plug and play". No cutting of elements to tune all done and ready to go. I had a local group of Amateurs to assemble and erect very eager to see the construction and visual impact for my neighbours sake. All very impressed with the solid construction and performance. You may have to wait for delivery as Ant only makes them to order. Pleased I waited for mine. Jack G0DME.
G0CGL Rating: 2012-02-29
A delight! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my second hexbeam. I previously had the Traffie version from 2002 until January of this year when a major storm brought down the mast and destroyed the beam. I have a review on eHam of that antenna showing how pleased I was with it. As everything has already been said about the MW0JZE version this review highlights the differences between the two versions that I've noticed.

MW0JZE's hexbeam is easier to construct. There is a good deal of pre-assembly. The elements are all in one for each band, using separator cords, rather than separate directors and reflectors so are more straightforward. Plastic cleats are used on the spreaders whereas the Traffie version uses insulators which on mine cracked and had to be replaced. A stub mast is supplied unlike the Traffie version. The antenna is more robust and the quality is excellent. There is also the added advantage of 6 meters on this antenna.

On the air, performance is better in some respects. I daresay that forward gain is similar but I do notice that the MW0JZE antenna has better front-to-back. The beam width is narrower and noticeably sharper as well.

For UK/Ireland/Europe, prospective hexbeam purchasers would be well advised to go for Ant's MW0JZE hex rather than importing the Traffie one. You'll also find Ant very friendly and accommodating in every way. There is a waiting list of six weeks or so but the wait is worth it!
SV1AAK Rating: 2011-11-05
Very pleased !! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great construction quality and easy to assemble.
Very glad with performance . I have no previous experience with beam antennas, but comparing to my wire dipoles i saw great improvement in receiving and working some DX.
I believe it is a very good combination of size and performance.
Anthony was excellent in everyway to deal with.

Many thanks, 73 Stelios



ZL1BJQ Rating: 2011-07-29
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased just the wire elements for 10/15/20mtrs ready made to fit onto my tapered fibreglass poles in ZL.
Elements are very well made, perfect length and surely instrumental in achieving an amazing almost perfect SWR. The Hexbeam performs very well indeed and can be truly a lightweight antenna.
EI3GRB Rating: 2011-07-17
Value for money aerial. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
As mentioned previously Ant is a real gentleman to deal with, very helpful and fast courteous reply to queries.

The aerial arrived extremely well packaged. Assembly is any plug and play enthusiast's dream, Ant's attention to detail means no time is wasted.
The videos on U-Tube show all you need. SWR on 10 mtrs. was higher than I liked and Ant immediately offered to cut a new element, however on further investigation I found it was most likely shack arrangement that was the cause of the mismatch.

Performance, the aerial works as claimed by the specs, with the hex @ 45 feet & my 400w. I know I will not beat the guys with 1 Kw. and 6 elements at double the height, but never the less I manage to break most pile ups and usually in over 90% of the time if I can hear them I can work them.

For a total outlay of about €1500 for aerial, secondhand mast, rotator and cables, I don't think with my budget I would have got better value else where.
73 Bob

ON4CIT Rating: 2011-06-02
Hex beam on FJ/OS1T dx expedition Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
My hex beam perfomed very well during my dx expedition on Saint
Barthelémy in may 2011 (FJ/OS1T)
12 days, and 7569 qso' made.
I had Big signals every were around the world, so i was told on the dx-clusters
I had no problem at all to copy all stations.
A great advantage to my openion is the leight weight, easy assambly and disassambly, and small package for transportation to the dx expedition.
I have to say that i use a expert liniar with approx 800 watts on all bands.
No RF feedback or high SWR as a result. Because the antenna is a lightweight: Turning the antenna is simply by a small rope attached to one element.
In one word , great antenna for home qth and specially for dx-expeditions.