Hy-Gain AV-680 9 Band Vertical Update Video

A lot of people have asked in the last year and a half, about my vertical that I use. This is just a update on how it has held up. You can see the full assembly and test video on my channel, link to that video is here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnmlnmitha91mbc
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[@bl9242]

I have this antenna as well. I think it performs pretty well with the exception of 80m, where it is very narrow. Basically you can tune one side of the band or the other, and that's using an antenna tuner. I need to to tilt mine over and make some adjustments for 80, now that I've settled on what I'm going to use it for. 40m is usable with a tuner through the whole band, but you may want to tune it to where you'll use it the most for best performance. 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, and 6 all work great. The instructions leave something to be desired, but if you go slow you'll get through it. Last thought, for people asking if you can tune it on it side, I made a rough pass at tuning with it that way. Things did change some when I stood it up, so I lowered it and made fine adjustments. Everything is perfect except for 80. Anyways, at least I only had to tilt it down one time, it's kind of a beast. If you're limited in what your SO will tolerate as an antenna farm, this isn't a bad choice, and works pretty well all around in my experience. I've had a lot of fun with it. If I ever get serious about 80m, I'll probably add another antenna.

[@Shastasays]

I have built this beast od an antenna. I am putting it up on a 25 foot mast. I will let you know of my trials and tribulations. I have found that the instructions were a bit wonky. A ton of misprints. Keep you posted. 73 de KD9NGU

[@rogerford5589]

I have the same antenna on an 8 ft pole, with a tilt mount, and I'd like to know how you tuned this beast? Taking it up and down is a pain. I have an MFJ analyzer, can I analyze it horizontally and adjust it for best swr, then put it back up? Also had some tree limbs hit it in a storm and damaged some elements and the box, had to disassemble box and repair some solder joints. So what was your tuning procedure? I would've loved to have seen a video on that! -Roger N4MBZ..

[@rogerford5589]

Update- I did tune horizontally for best SWR and put back up and it works well.

[@montybates5176]

I was glad to see these videos. I'm curious though as I don't see a ground rod/wire but maybe I just can't see it?

[@111111111Tiger]

Sounds like the AV-640 might be a better buy since the 80/75 band is so limited for $100 less. Thanks for the video.

[@1crazynordlander]

Well you are the second YT channel that said 75/80 doesn't wok all that well on this antenna. David Casler said get the AV-640 instead. Thanks for reviewing.

[@davidenglund]

Erik, do you know what the power handling is for digital modes (FT8, etc.)? I can't seem to find any info on that. I know it has a plastic isolater section at the bottom. Thanks

[@hiramojeda-c1t]

Hello: I am in the process of putting mine up and I will like your advise in the 20 meter stubs < how long did you cut them to make it resonant in 14:300mhz any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.. 73's

[@tonyridlen]

Excellent looking antenna! KC9QVE Marion,Indiana

[@machfive916]

How wide are the radials at the bottom? I have tight space constraints at home, as I have no backyard and only a narrow (80 foot) alley.

[@fasnuf]

not particularily happy about the 80m resonance tapping issue. Is it really that bad if you were to use a tuner on it?

[@robertsise7898]

I like that sp500. I am a Tech plus and think I will put one up and use it for 10 meters. Great video. Thanks 73.

[@jrpefx]

Hello, I watched your first video when you put this antenna together. And I went to the radio store and purchased the smaller brother antenna the AV 6-40. Well when I started to tune it up I got very good readings, and the next time I keyed up my SWR went through the roof. I had raised and lowered the antenna and Mast several times. I checked the tuning lengths over and over, everything checked OK. But I was still having intermittent jumps of SWR. I finally let the mast and antenna down and opened the box, and out fell a NUT. I checked where it would go, and it connected a strap from the tuning output to the antenna. With that poor connection no wonder it was driving me "nuts". So I found another nut with a captive star washer and made it all tight and no problems since. 73 de KM6LBW

[@HamRadioConcepts]

cool. I have heard others' with the "nut in the box" issue too. I have not had that issue.

[@WVRick]

What happened to the Cobweb? I have been thinking about putting one up.

[@MyLittleWorkstation]

I bought it too. This weekend mounting and install .

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

Eric, thank you for making all the videos you do. Over the years I have come to trust your opinion. I would like a multi-band HF vertical that does not require radials and can handle the full legal limit. Seemingly the only antenna in the game that meets all these requirements is the Hy-Gain AV 680? Knowing everything that you know now, would you recommend that I purchase an AV680? If not is there an alternative full legal limit multi-band HF vertical that does not require radials that you can recommend? I am of course subscribed with notifications turned on and thumbs up. 73 W3GUY

[@raider2191]

Buy a 500 Ft. roll of Dacron 350 Lb test fishing line to use as guy lines. You can tie three at the same point and run them out permanently and no have to worry about needing to go out and tie it off.

[@terrylowitz4062]

Are there any good videos or instructions on tuning this antenna? I am having a hard time. I do have an Rigexpert AA-600 I can use.

[@dheller777]

How does the antenna work on the phone portion of 20 & 40? Also can it use one of the fold down mounts like DX Engineering sells?

[@RTD3]

Curious to know what made you go with this antenna over the GAP Titan....

[@TheYrekakid]

So is an Antenna Tuner pretty much required for setting one of these up or is there another way to configure the 'tunable' sections when setting it up? Just getting started + trying to determine if I need to budget for a tuner now or it can wait.. Thanks & 73

[@sebastianbluecrew4320]

Jason Ellis you need an antenna analyzer for tuning the different bands

[@WQ9V]

WQ9V which part is the 80 40 and so on I need to tune my av 680, I bought mine from a ham who is too sick to tell me anything about the antenna. mine works great on 10 20 17 6 & 15m 80 60 & 40 are off the like 27 to 1.My email is on my QRZ page. Thanks for your help

[@Veetheoneandonly]

Your other video said it is 'flat' on 75 meters. But, narrow bandwidth on 80 meters. Can you tell me what the actual bandwidth is on 80, 75 and 40 meters?

[@jasonschwarting9562]

What do you do for lightning protection

[@Da103Man]

does this look like a end fed half wave electrically at the base? and if so what is the turns ratio on the ferrite? thanks

[@norman2999]

What a BEAST of an antenna!! Please forgive my newbie/nooby question but if an antenna works on 10 & 12 meters, does that mean it will work on 11 meters as well? Just curious. Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer my question!! 73 & respect, your loyal subscriber, Norman.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

It was orignally marketed as an 1 mete anenn may years ago, and was a GREAT 11meter antenna, yes, if it does 10 and 12, it will do 11.

[@norman2999]

@@HamRadioConcepts:Thank you for answering my question!! Logically, I thought it should work, but I thought that perhaps it might be wiser to go band-specific, maybe. Thanks again!! This is why I'm a loyal subscriber!! 73 & respect, Norman

[@djehrlich633]

Can you explain how to tune this type of antenna?

[@tobiasgrey6699]

What is SWR bands - respective?

[@n6hpx]

do you use counterpoise on this or is it not needed

[@Aleziss]

so no more cobweb ??

[@timstandish2025]

know of anybody who offers clamps for the antenna for guy wires?

[@DaveJohnsonad5nm]

20 mph wind here is a norm not uncommon to see 45 to 60 mph thus the reason no vertical here. There is even a 70' guyed tower restriction for hams as on the off occasion we will see winds of 90 mph or so. At 8000' above sea level it's expected. It is a nice vertical though.

[@machfive916]

Very informative video.

[@patrickbaer3742]

I'll tell you I just wanted to add that camera is awesome bye bye

[@HubertKirchgaessner]

Quite a monster!

[@Ei2iP]

So uou don't know where the tap is on the coil? Did you even tune the antenna in the first place!! As per the manual, your antenna is too low!! I would be using your review as guidance on the performance of this antenna.

[@bruehlt]

What antenna is that to the left?

[@fevo69]

Hy-Gain Super Penetrator SPT500 10/12M Vertical

[@rajakalugumalai8190]

All ok. But what is visible you make video ok. When playing in front full size letters are running,it's idiotically.

[@RobinPhillips1957]

When eventually you take the antenna down , yacht varnish the entire thing to prevent corrosion. G8PVI.