2el.HEXBEAM vs. Dipole - W9AEB, KP2AD reception

This is comparison of my new HEXBEAM antenna and 40m monoband dipole, both are located on the same place (abt. 35-40 meters above the ground) and with the same direction of beam. Time of recording was at 23:30 central european time. Difference between antennas is about 4 S-units. Background noise is much stronger on HEX, but dipole is for 40m band. Hope you enjoy. 73

[@ElPasoTubeAmps]

This is interesting and I may need to do some more work on my setup. I have a 20M dipole at 35 feet on a rotor and am very pleased with it. However, I couldn't resist the hex beam and all the hoopla associated with it so I bought a nice one - just for 20M and when I do the A-B tests I get exactly the opposite that you do. I get around two to three S-units better with the dipole. In my case, the hex beam is about 15 feet lower as I do not have two towers to mount both antennas at the same time but my results are making me think again about swapping my dipole for the hex. Thanks for posting. Your results are what I expected but in my case but I got the opposite.

[@OM0ET]

Hello, thanks for your comment ;-) True is that this my comparison is not much fair-play because of a 40m band dipole and not 20m. But I assume that the difference in receiving signal from this dipole would be only at least 1-S stronger if was this dipole for 20m band. Now after years I've realized that there is also hugh difference in RX signal strenght due to different antenna type and angle from it receive. For example, currently I use multiband 42m long endfed antenna in the same hight as the Hexbeam and very often I picking up local stations from Europe much stronger on the wire than on Hexbeam, but DX signals from the outside EU picking stronger on HEX beam 2-3S. Best 73, Paul OM0ET

[@ElPasoTubeAmps]

@@OM0ET Thank you very much for your reply. After my comment to your video, I noticed that when I was listening on the hex beam and rotating my dipole, the signal strength would come up on the hex beam when my dipole was at 90 degrees to the hex beam. Some very strange and interesting interaction between the two antennas that are about 10 feet apart horizontally and the hex beam about 15 feet lower than the dipole... The hex beam has become such a sensation lately that I had to try it. It is essential a version of a 2 element yagi, for some comparison. However, please notice in the design that the driven element is actually longer than the "reflector" as it is described. I find this very interesting although I am not disputing anyone's results. A design of a two element yagi gives better results as a driven element and a director rather than a reflector. I have built this type of two element yagi with driven element and director and had good results with it. I am a bit confused with how the "reflector" in the case of the hex beam is actually shorter than the driven element and the forward gain is determined. i suppose it is in the folded design. My immediate interest is whether or not I am going to take the effort to remove my wonderfully performing rotatable dipole and replace it with this hex beam... I have a fellow coming over in two days with a lift that may allow me to make this change safely at the top of my tower. Thanks again for your video. I always appreciate the effort to measure and post results. 73 WA4QGA

[@OM0ET]

@@ElPasoTubeAmps You are welcome! ;-) Would be great if you will share how is your hexbeam works. You could record some video about this. Have fun and good luck with your antennas! 73, Paul OM0ET

[@varoujan78]

so when you get your hex up to 35 ft come back with your test or lower ypur 20m dipole to the same height as the hex and redo your test.to be fair.

[@ElPasoTubeAmps]

@@varoujan78 Interesting I see this video a year later after commenting back then. I was searching for 40M delta loop info and found some videos but noticed this video again. I really enjoyed it and at the exact point I was at, my results were opposite. However, when I went for it and put it on the top of the tower and rotor - wow... the hexbeam was much better. I posted a video on my channel about the hex vs dipole. Anyway, I ended up getting the great results just like this video. 73 WA4QGA

[@ireadursoul]

but how can you compare a 40m antenna working out side the band band with a 20m antenna?

[@johnnyjohnny7012]

You cant.

[@peteride-kostic737]

Indeed - non sense

[@eduardopower5254]

But you're working 20 meter with a 40m dipole. Not fair :)

[@jeffharper3047]

A little confused.... You are comparing a resonant 20 meter antenna on 40 meters. I wish you would compare apples to apples. Switch to 40 meters on the transceiver, find a station, and then swap antennas. Thats the true test. I would love to see that because I am thinking of putting up a Hex Beam with 40 meters. I would like to see a true comparison.

[@rs440olli7]

All depends on take-off and changing polarcirculation.... real gain diff is not 4 S- Units. Bet that same Dipole in vert. polarization would be more or less near the hex. Under many aspects, any hex construction is a great antenna. Specially under economic/weight aspect. But it's never a supergainer. Gives you some f/b, verry little gain but much better take off, compared to a horizontal dipole. More interesting fact is the difference of both antennas in SNR!!! Anyhow - I like your channel! Vy pleasant OM!! BTW: A nearfield comparison, to one of your local neighbours would be interesting! Plus a f/b test!😎. Keep it up!

[@varoujan78]

is the 40m dipole resonated? on 20?

[@reallybadaim118]

Fascinating.

[@brianfields4479]

Bigger sig on the hex but less noise on the dipole, this why I tx on my vertical and rx on a dipole. 73 zl3xdj

[@MrDoccodyblue]

Amazing difference!! Andy,DG7LAN

[@CNYCyberGuy]

Correction: W9AEB "Tom" interesting video otherwise though! Is this a homebrew hexbeam or something you purchased somewhere?

[@OM0ET]

Christopher Dion Hi Chris, thank you for correction! My Hexbeam SP7IDX was bought here: sp7idx-hexbeam.eu Very well made construction, all is pretuned so just plug and play system :-)

[@presidentspilot]

Holy Smokes!! LOL! What a difference!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!..wonderful comparison! K6PAM

[@redneck6879]

t is incorrect to compare with a 40 meter dipole. It was necessary to take a 20 meter dipole too. RT9TM Sergey. 73!!!

[@CC-hk6vy]

Excellent comparison video, thanks for this de WO8USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@싱겁이]

good.

[@edpetrovski6640]

Comparing an antenna that is resonant on 14 MHz to an antenna that is resonant on 7 MHz is hardly a meaningful comparison.

[@inesghalem7427]

Thnx for this is comparison, 73 de 7X2GK

[@josem.p.8439]

GOOD VIDEO ....CORRECT ADJUSTMENT OF COUNTOUR CONTROL AND SHIFT. 73´S JOE CE3LQH

[@OM0ET]

Thank you Joe. I like this transceiver. By my opinion is not true that this transceiver is so noisy. :) 73

[@oe5pop438]

how you rotate the beam and which tower you use! Thanks a lot !

[@OM0ET]

OE5POP i am using yaesu G-250 rotator and home made steel tower. Look at my video - HEX BEAM ANTENNA

[@stevenlawhon3695]

Both are horizontal, no difference, their azimuths are not the same

[@lukaszkonopnicki9745]

Dipol mega