Hy-Gain AV-680 9 band HF vertical build and review

Purchased at www.hy-gain.com This is the first time i purchased and built a vertical antenna like this, and i think it was well worth it. 9 bands from 80-6m, handles full legal limit. Counterpoise is included, so you don't have to lay out thousands of measured wires in the ground.
Support my channel and efforts at www.patreon.com/hamradioconcepts

[@KX4UL]

Great job Eric! The Hy-Gain AV-680 seems to be a winner! I very much appreciate the extra time and effort you took to video this along the way. It definitely slows down the process and makes it a little tougher to stay focused. So a great big thanks once again! I really enjoy your videos.

[@N2LRB]

Thank you for sharing that experience with us. I wish I had a house, I'd buy the antenna. Good luck with the antenna. Well done!

[@k5rpb]

I made the AV-640 in 2004. Loved everything about it. I know exactly what you mean when you say you felt like an artist after completing the build. It was my very first antenna that I had to assemble besides putting a Hamstick in a mag mount (but is that really a build :). It took me about ten hours. I did not have an analyzer then, and still don't, but found that the swr was completely acceptable across all the bands using the built in meter of my 706 and an external meter between the antenna and radio. Thankful for that because if not then I would have had to take that beast down off of the top of my 20' mast! As always, great video. Keep up the good work!

[@bigborecanada]

Thank you for the video, it is very informative! I am just working on my general class and need a good vertical due to small property.

[@paulclark7664]

Great video. Thinking about a Vertical myself. Got a Cobweb at my Qth been in use since 2007..

[@buckeye5704]

Looks like a good weekend project and only one build to get all my bands. THANKS!

[@floridasaltlife]

Great to see you go through this process...

[@dragontearz34]

I'm just getting into ham and enjoying your videos, keep it up!

[@alexdiamantopoulos6614]

I like the radians on the ant. Yes you did a great presentation on safety of it. I would do the same job on my home made vertical for 40 an 80.

[@gregorgman]

Eric, you are the best Elmer I could ever get!! Terrific video, you answered a question of mine from another video and put be onto this antenna video. I REALLY appreciate the help and knowledge. General or not, I still dont know my way around. Just getting set up again over in Pt. Charlotte, across the state from you. 73's

[@ranchdog7920]

Good video. Fo my Cushcraft R8, a very similar design, I drove a steel rod into the ground 4 or 5 feet, no concrete etc, and slid a ten foot mast over the rod. I also guide mine.

[@thormusique]

That's a beautiful antenna! Thanks for sharing. Now that I have my own house (and no neighbours nearby), I'm planning to put up several antennas. However, I think this will be my first and perhaps main one. I haven't heard of anybody who's unhappy with its performance. It'll take some work to create a good base for it, but I think it will be worth the effort.

[@TheErod1944Channel]

This is a really nice radio for someone considering purchasing an AV-680 or even an AV-640 which by the way, is me. Thanks!! I think you could also do the Ham Community a real service if you created a video concerning your tower collapsing into the power lines. It would be a real Safety Video and useful for inexperienced Hams attempting a first time tower.

[@andrewevanoff1192]

Looks like a decent antenna. I have a very similar Cushcraft R8 because I need a vertically polarized antenna for local nets. The R8 is no match for my Mosley Pro67 Yagi @ 75 ft., but it works fine for what it is. Just a friendly advice. make sure to guard the antenna to keep anyone from touching the radials. These antennas tend to develop very high voltages on the radials. It's best to raise the feed-point to about 10 ft. to avoid accidental contact. Raising it up may also improve antenna's performance by minimizing ground losses.

[@ForensicPI]

Thank you for your video(s). I just passed my General, so I'm doing my research for the best multi-band HF antenna (for my yard). Bill Rhetts KM6ESG

[@rvnmedic1968]

Very timely as I'm trying to decide on the AV-680 vs the Cushcraft R-9. I also ordered an Omni Tilt Base for the installation so I can raise and lower as needed. Also looks like I need to get an antenna analyzer. I've settled on the Hy-Gain and will be ordering soon. Very nice vid, btw. Clear, good info on the installation.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

rvnmedic1968 I wish I would have ordered the tilt base also LOL

[@joeframo3347]

Eric thank you for sharing this video thank you for telling your viewers to wear eye protective glasses you're 100% right you're an awesome dude thank you again your best friend from Atlanta Georgia

[@Scott_AI5EF]

Another great video. Really looking forward to the MFJ-1835 video. That one is at the top of my list to replace my old dipoles. Cheers ~W5VTC

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Cobweb antenna video is uploading now. I hope you like it.

[@kissingbanditt]

Excellent review with tons of info....thumbs upppp

[@davidshermanlittle919]

Very good voice/audio. Your experiences help others. TNX 73

[@vk3mh]

Great video, I really enjoyed it. The hygain advertising pictures do not do this antenna justice. 73 from VK

[@garysawyer9862]

W0GDS here: I would recommend adding the tilt base ATB-75 so the adjustments can be made w/o having to interrupt too much in the assembly.

[@garysawyer9862]

Thx Eric KJ4KZI for the excellent video. I am about to purchase this antenna and this helps a lot with the knowledge I will need to "git 'er dun" right.

[@garysawyer9862]

I just watched the video again and saw you were using the Yaesu FT-450. I will also be using my FT-450 for digital operation.

[@WJ6FRadio]

Great video! Very informative, and learned a lot!

[@leoenakievo8348]

Forgot ,24mc!

[@pauliedweasel]

Great video. I’m trying to decide on a vertical for my 3/4 acre property that doesn’t use radials and this looks like the best candidate so far. Our property is quite deep but it’s shaped like a Geek amphitheater with the house on one side of the bowl and the back of the property on the other and the center of the back yard is probably a good 15 to 20 feet below the bottom floor level and combine that fact with the huge granite boulders that cover the land (We’re in Prescott, AZ) just installing a 40 meter ground radial system would be very difficult at best and an 80 meter system would be impossible. The longest of the five edges edges of the property is 266’ which means if I had a forty foot pole in the center of the property line I could install a 160m invert V but that would block our neighbors view so that’s out of the question since their back porch is 20 feet from the property line. Thanks again for a great video.

[@johnsmiley2922]

GREAT video.....thank you!

[@researchandbuild1751]

Thats a nice antenna that doesnt take a lot of horizontal space!

[@RexTheDane]

I built the AV-640 and really like it too. Thanks for the good effort. KC5LL

[@antstoes]

Love watching your videos! Yes, I think you’re an artist! God bless

[@LivePDOfficerInterviews]

THANK GOODNESS for this video! If you’re looking to buy either the Hy Gain 640 OR 680 THIS VIDEO IS A MUST! The instructions that come with the antenna are not very clear and thought out. Note to MFJ, if I’m buying an antenna this expensive, how hard would it be to put maybe a label of some sort on every component? None of the tube sections are marked and it’d be much better if the hardware was laid out in its own individual bag and labeled. Make it easier not harder. Thank goodness for this video.

[@StreuB1]

Great video. The audio on the guy in TX had me almost spit my tea. I was amazed! More video of just making contacts with it would be appreciated as well as the cobweb. I am kinda screwed with install area so these two antennas are very viable options for me. Thanks again! 73 de N0BPS

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Understood, well, i never get around to filming a lot of making contacts because someone else may say it is bad in their area compared to my conditions, and also i have horrible power line noise here so someone might say "It doesn't sound like it receives well" so basically i leave it up to the viewer to decide on the antenna themselves, not knowing if they will have better band conditions where they are compared to my videos.... I hope that makes sense. 73

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Cobweb antenna is uploading now. I hope you like it. 73

[@StreuB1]

Thank you Eric!! 73

[@Wilhuff_T]

Did you fix the RF noise situation??? If so, how. 73s

[@dosfenos3736]

great video

[@williampeacock9473]

Looking to buy a vertical Antenna system for home and portable POTA USE. I think this AV-680 would be a great choice for me . I guess the folks at MFJ HY-Gain gave you the AV-680 for doing this video review for them. Enjoyed the video good job my friend. GOD bless you and your family .73 AE4OY William Peacock (EM-81UF) South East Georgia

[@ggregory6611]

Thanks for the info....i like the idea of a single vertical....been using wire antennas with great results but am always interested in other options.... 73 Gene KL7CE

[@vetfest2577]

Great Video! 73's N8ACE

[@jmoore279]

How much did you have to trim off the spokes to make it resonate on 20 m?

[@Patrickjdee66]

I’m checking this 5 years later , was a great video, after 5 years would you recommend? I’m moving into a property with no soil or grass, all the best and keep the great videos coming 👍🏽

[@HL3LMS]

AV-680 Antenna very good !!

[@JARyding]

Best video yer, Eric.

[@McCamerCoach]

Good video. I am also building my first shack....would like to do vertical. Question about tuning: can one try and tune the antenna out when it is still horizontal on saw horses?

[@nathaliegoodman8374]

Just curious, why was the antenna tuner on? Thanks for the info. Very helpful especially the safety concerns that I might overlook.

[@ivancarrasquillo9272]

"Hi..I would like to know the performance of the AV-680 vertical ant. after tunning. Thanks KM4VJL "

[@richardwilson6361]

Thank You, I Just got this antenna, You Help ALOT...73 Richard KE0EFC

[@fasnuf]

Richard, how's your av-680 working for you? I hear these dont work well on 80M.

[@FireRescue884]

I’ve never purchased one item from MFJ, their plum crazy on their prices !

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

With all the horizontal hardware I always worry about creating a bird 'Starbucks' where they hang out en-masse until each wire is bent. And the wires may not do well with the high winds here. would also

[@brianmadonna2873]

I just recently purchased the cushkraft version of this antenna. Its mostly assembled but I'm missing 2 40 inch hats which cushcraft is sending me. Fortunately I'm able to still get on the air in the mean time so not sure what the 2 40 inch hats do.

[@normjacques6853]

Question: Assuming that I'm mounting to a 10' mast to a 5" tripod 'tower' (which means I can get it at least 12-15' off the ground), how close to a wood-frame building do you think I can be and still expect reasonable results?? Thanks!! 73

[@Oscaro9928]

Thanks for a great video, How large are the spokes at the very bottom?

[@ronmiller7135]

So after whole there is mistery coils with this antenna as well,because there no way to have compromized antenna without coils and capacitors

[@marknormankn4cwt619]

Hi Eric. How is this antenna holding so far. Upgrading to General in a couple of weeks. Thinking about getting the AV 640. Thanks and 73

[@322doug]

very good video man thanks KD9GRP 73

[@Pascal-F11DRE]

Tank you for this video and description Which band did you start settling with? This antenna is a good compromise for multiband transceivers Best regards 73's F11DRE - Pascal

[@Kethav]

Hello, I would like to see a picture of the 80m coil assembly with the tap on. Unluckily my new 680 came without that tap so I'm wondering If I can arrange something by myself. I found some poor quality pictures of that (on internet) but I would like to be sure of the electrical connection of the coil tap. My antenna has a solid iron wire that enters the coils assembly and then exits from that. So there's continuity. I found that tap is in parallel with that wire and clamp to a specific coil of the assembly, If it's right I can just solder a wire just before the coil assembly and use a some kind of clamp to choose the coil I need. What do you think about that? 73 by IU2KJC

[@henryraymondkoscinski4583]

HI Eric, That's a great video, I currently have the AV640 and thinking about the AV680 to get on 80 meters. Did you ever solve the 20 meter high SWR problem? Ray KJ4VJZ

[@rodbirmingham1997]

Yes he did ,20m coil bad connection at pull.

[@SeanFao]

I appreciate you taking the time to record this. How difficult is it to take down and bring inside for bad weather? I live in an area where winds can be in excess of 80-120 MPH, so I won't be able to leave it outside when that happens.

[@BecomingOffgrid]

Just put the guys on it and you will be good to go

[@artwilcox6215]

I had the same issue with 20m being way off in av-640. What did you wind up doing to get 20m into the middle Of the voice band?

[@Hassan-Alnajjar]

Which MFJ Analyzer are you using?

[@eddybear101]

Just wondering what coax did you use ??

[@barryrosenbloom189]

Nice video, Did you add guy wires? and when you adjusted the 20M is it a snip of the element, how did you know how much did you do it on the ground and leave the meter attached? Thanks

[@normjacques6853]

Hi Eric....Now that you've had this for a few years, can you do an update? There are several other multi-band vertical antennas on the market (some by well-known manufacturers, others by ???). Have you been able to compare any? I'm an old coot, but just now getting ready to set up my first shack and something similar to this seems ideal for my limited-space-situation. I might be able to do a multi-band OCF dipole...but just barely, if at all. Thanks for all the great videos, Elmer!! :-)

[@normjacques6853]

BTW, that power transformer is likely your noise problem. Once upon a time, I was a Navy avionics tech! 73 :-)

[@JbirdlLester]

Hey Never mind on that help! Terry N8LN help me get the nano up and running. He is Awesome!

[@Veetheoneandonly]

What is the bandwidth on 75 and 40 meters? I'd hoped you would run a bandwidth test. Just hitting one spot doesn't help much. Hope you see this and reply. Thanks, Vee W7IBB.

[@kenc5156]

What kind of wind will this withstand??

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

What is the maximum power rating for the AV 680 antenna when using RTTY or FT8?

[@JonathanAdami]

Just curious to see if you're still using this antenna? and what do you think of it after all this time compared to all the other stuff that you get to try? Cheers VK4ALE

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Still using it, Yes, I LOVE IT, you can see it again in my recent video about antennas in the wind.

[@JonathanAdami]

I'll check that, thanks for answering! I dont have a home yet, but it'll happen this year so I'm on the lookout ;) Cheers

[@fasnuf]

What is the diameter of the bottom mast? ID/OD? I want to add some mast to get this in the airbut still be able to tilt this to the side. Thanks

[@jimpruett4005]

I live in Florida also, how does it hold up the the winds during a storm

[@HamRadioConcepts]

she bends a bit but hasnt broke yet. I have a rop tied to it. When I know its going to be a windy day, I tie it to the fence, depending on which way the wind is coming from.

[@jpintek]

Great video, thanks for sharing. 73 kc1ero

[@kg5tjv877]

Thanks for a Great Review and Video. It would be Nice if you could Update this Video and let us know How You Like It after this Period of Time since you installed it. I am much considering Purchasing this antenna as well. Thanks Again. KG5TJV

[@MichaelMoore-od4jz]

liked your video working on buying one for the house haven't decided yet which one to get, could you give me any feedback on how its working out for you? Thanks 73's Michael kc8rri

[@amlanch]

How did you get that pipe into the ground and how deep it goes?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

It was about 6 feet and i used post hole diggers to put it in about 3 feet with some concrete, not realizing the antenna needed to be higher. I did that before i even knew which antenna i was going to buy.

[@vidasvv]

tnx fr the video. don't understand why at beginning you say "no traps", looks like traps to me

[@HamRadioConcepts]

vidas v nope. It uses radiating stubs for each band not wire wound traps..

[@rotehnic1625]

20m?

[@daveengstrom9250]

That looks like a great antenna. This video is 7 years old at the time I watched it. How do you like it now?

[@K4LKDana]

Eric, what did you do to fix the 20 meter problem. Mine is resonating at about 13.2 MHz. I've double-checked everything and desoldered all the connections. Measured continuity from the main mast all the way to the tip.

[@K4LKDana]

I mean re-soldered all the connections starting with the bottom of the 20-meter coil. Every other band is close

[@K4LKDana]

Just saw the update video. You revealed that you had to trim the 20-meter capacity hat quite a bit. According to the manual about 10" to go up 1 MHz. The antenna is looking good on all bands. Thanks Eric

[@rhwinner]

Were you ever able to get 20 working..?

[@Allthingsradio]

Looks similar to the DX commander ?

[@ronmiller7135]

Look at the impedance,not just swr,and it is 40 ohms

[@DavidS-iw4ei]

The impedance on some of the bands was very high.

[@825saturn]

Eric ! I'm Thinking About Getting A Hy-Gain AV-680 , I Make Contacts from My G5RV Wire antenna to some friends in Florida on 80 Meters , Would i have to run Some power for them to Hear me and Do you get a lot of Noise on The Bands from 6 Meters to 80 Meters ? Have you Made any Long Distance DX Contacts ?? From : Jim . B Toccoa ,Georgia KN4LEI , You and I Made a Contact back in 2019 , One Contact , I got my Extra in 2021 . 11-19-2022 12:10 pm "Happy Thanks Giving " Next Thursday

[@rhwinner]

I want one...

[@alfredotrevino-fz6yp]

Awesome video, N5ZNB 73

[@Stoutlagger_TV]

No guy wires required???

[@TheTbone6363]

Now that you have had the AV680 4 years any regrets going with this antenna.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Check my channel for the MFJ-1835 cobweb video.

[@linwoodcampbell4686]

HamRadioConcepts

[@cwqrpportable]

"The" wife Lol

[@infoaffiliatemagic]

Where in Florida do you live? Jack K4KSW

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Vero Beach, Florida

[@denelson83]

Unfortunately, this antenna is too impractical for me to install. I live in an apartment with a lease that does not allow antenna installations, and not only that, the area around where I live is a relatively high-crime area.

[@grunt_mahoney6027]

10m and tuning is 102 Inches ...why done they just use metric for everything

[@jjgr661]

HOW LONG WAS OR IS YOUR COAX? DID YOU CHECK WITH THE ANTENNA ANALYZER WITH ALL THE COAX LENGHT FROM THE SHACK?

[@AdamosDad]

Cool but a ridiculous price.

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

Too bad the demise of MFJ it taking Hy-gain/ Cushcraft with them!!

[@joerogers4227]

I am surprised that your wife did not ask, "'why do we need this ugly thing in our yard!"

[@exploringearth3223]

i am in ocala fl kq4exm saying hello love your channel