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Post by Sniper..Unit 305 on Mar 29, 2011 16:09:48 GMT -5
I saw a thread on another forum that I visit and read an article by someone claiming they had talked to a rep at Hy-Gain saying that the Penetrator 500 was going back into production. I had my doubts, so I sent off an email to Hy-Gain myself and received my answer today. The Penetrator IS coming back and will be available within 2 to 6 months according to this rep. I will copy and paste his response to my question below. Just thought many of you would be interested in this. Sniper
We are planning to bring the Penetrator back soon. Estimated completion time is 2-6 months, so check our website every so often.
Tom Stone AA5MT
hy-gain
662-323-5803
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Post by rifleman on Mar 29, 2011 22:28:06 GMT -5
I had one in the 1970's.
I had it up for 8 - 10 years, and never had any trouble with it.
Only reason I took it down is because I replaced it with a Moonraker IV.
I think you can get the owners manual off of CBTricks.
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss 
Posts: 6,250 
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Post by Sandbagger on Mar 30, 2011 6:26:27 GMT -5
I saw a thread on another forum that I visit and read an article by someone claiming they had talked to a rep at Hy-Gain saying that the Penetrator 500 was going back into production. I had my doubts, so I sent off an email to Hy-Gain myself and received my answer today. The Penetrator IS coming back and will be available within 2 to 6 months according to this rep. I will copy and paste his response to my question below. Just thought many of you would be interested in this. Sniper We are planning to bring the Penetrator back soon. Estimated completion time is 2-6 months, so check our website every so often. Tom Stone AA5MT hy-gain 662-323-5803 That is certainly good news, although if they market it as a "CB" antenna, to comply with the Consumer product safety administration guidelines, they would either have to make it out of fiberglass, or offer some means of isolating it from the mast in case of power line contact. The other alternative is to market it as a "10 meter" ham antenna. It would be nice to see that great perfoming antenna make a come back, but I get the feeling that their marketing department sees guys like Jay in the Mojave making the I-10K and getting over well $300 for it, and they see a business opportunity. So I won't expect it to be priced "reasonably"....... |
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Post by Sniper..Unit 305 on Mar 30, 2011 8:33:56 GMT -5
Sandbagger I agree with you 100% on the price not being what we would call reasonably inexpensive! I too figured they would have to market it as a 10m antenna, and I am really curious to see how close they keep its construction and appearance to the original. I know mine has served me well and still works as well as it did in 1974 when I purchased it. I never had anything else to ever compare it to except my original Lafayette 1/4 wave ground plane as far as omni directional antennas, so I honestly can't say that it works better than brand x,y,or Z. I just know it works well, even in this sugar bowl I live in now. Sniper
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Post by cbrown on Mar 30, 2011 9:03:40 GMT -5
I'd certainly like to see it, and know what the price is. Also, as mentioned they'll have to market it as a 10 meter antenna if they're planning on making it out of aluminum.
But they do have name recognition, which should help them sell it.
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Post by Timekeeper on Apr 1, 2011 14:08:52 GMT -5
Wow! That IS good news. That is what I have up now for my ground palne, and it's been working great for 20+ years. Just replaced the coax for the 3rd. time!
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Post by SteveInOregon on Apr 2, 2011 10:29:32 GMT -5
Made in _____ ?
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Post by rifleman on Apr 2, 2011 21:08:11 GMT -5
It would be GREAT if the Penetrator 500 came back in it's old form...
But I seriously have my doubts....
Hy-Gain is now owned by MFJ. The original Hy-Gain antenna factory in Lincoln, NE has been shut down for many years.
Hy-Gain antennas are now assembled at MFJ's plant in Starkville, MS, along with their Cushcraft brand antennas, and other MFJ products.
The Ham community has been less than enthusiastic about the "New" since MFJ, Hy-Gain and Cushcraft amateur antennas. Spotty, shoddy workmanship, low quality parts, and sometimes less than helpful service people.
Don't get me wrong, I have owned quite a few MFJ products. They are mostly reasonably priced, and work OK. But what I first do with a new MFJ product I buy, is shake it real hard. If I hear parts rattling around inside, I box it up and ship it right back, demanding a new one !!! (And PLENTY have rattled)
Loose solder blobs, un-connected components, and EXTRA components, nuts and screws inside electronic equipment is NOT
my idea of good workmanship and quality control.
And something like an antenna, which is going to be out in the weather for years, HAS to be made well, and of high quality components, right from the get-go !!!
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Post by zman on Apr 13, 2011 19:37:34 GMT -5
The newer rotators from what ive been told pretty much suck.. They will probabaly make the P 500 out of the same cheapie grade aluminum that the newer aluminum antennas are made from i.e. Sirio starduster and ect ect. Im not gonna hold my breath on this new P 500...
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Post by EagleIII on Apr 18, 2011 9:15:17 GMT -5
It would be GREAT if the Penetrator 500 came back in it's old form... But I seriously have my doubts.... Hy-Gain is now owned by MFJ. The original Hy-Gain antenna factory in Lincoln, NE has been shut down for many years. Hy-Gain antennas are now assembled at MFJ's plant in Starkville, MS, along with their Cushcraft brand antennas, and other MFJ products. The Ham community has been less than enthusiastic about the "New" since MFJ, Hy-Gain and Cushcraft amateur antennas. Spotty, shoddy workmanship, low quality parts, and sometimes less than helpful service people. Don't get me wrong, I have owned quite a few MFJ products. They are mostly reasonably priced, and work OK. But what I first do with a new MFJ product I buy, is shake it real hard. If I hear parts rattling around inside, I box it up and ship it right back, demanding a new one !!! (And PLENTY have rattled) Loose solder blobs, un-connected components, and EXTRA components, nuts and screws inside electronic equipment is NOTmy idea of good workmanship and quality control. And something like an antenna, which is going to be out in the weather for years, HAS to be made well, and of high quality components, right from the get-go !!! HA!! MFJ as you may know, in the Ham world is refered to as "Mighty Fine Junk". ;D Yes, I have my share of it at home.  |
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Post by zman on Apr 19, 2011 14:08:27 GMT -5
Yup i have my share of it too. But what i have works really well. The little 300 tuners i have are great! ;D
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Post by rifleman on Apr 19, 2011 14:24:02 GMT -5
Congratulations,,,,,
You got some without the extra parts in them !!
LOL !!!
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Post by zman on Apr 20, 2011 16:56:21 GMT -5
No rattling and no solder balls, LOL.  |
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Post by clint on May 11, 2011 10:48:56 GMT -5
I am using the old hygain SP-500 here and I like it. Its much better than my old P.O.S. Imax and A-99. Really, it is better in so many ways I don't know where to begin. Find one, clean it, get new hardware, replace any weathered parts and let it rip. Darn good antenna!
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darknuss
Mudduck
The world is a cold free toilet..
Posts: 24
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Post by darknuss on May 12, 2011 7:58:40 GMT -5
I hope the materials used is comparable to the end user price. It would not be wise for them to build it cheaply and expect top dollar for it.
3's
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Post by zman on May 26, 2011 15:38:02 GMT -5
Well so far i havent seen anything from Hygain about this new version yet.
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Post by zman on May 31, 2011 16:36:37 GMT -5
I just got an email today from Hy Gain to verify if the P 500 is really going to be reissued and i got a solid YES IT IS IN PRODUCTION!!!!! ;D ;D
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Post by homerbb on May 31, 2011 19:00:52 GMT -5
What a deal!
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Post by zman on May 31, 2011 23:01:22 GMT -5
As soon as it is on the market im getting one to check out. HOPEFULLY it will be the same as the older one.
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Post by cbrown on Jun 1, 2011 10:11:39 GMT -5
Any mention of the estimated cost?
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Post by cbrown on Jun 1, 2011 10:14:11 GMT -5
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Post by zman on Jun 1, 2011 12:14:48 GMT -5
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I just hope its not cheapied up like everything else MFJ gets thier hands on.... |
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Post by zman on Jun 1, 2011 12:17:55 GMT -5
Did u look at the feedpoint and the matching hairpin? It doesnt look like the older ones.
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Post by cbrown on Jun 2, 2011 9:51:33 GMT -5
Ya. from the new photo on DX's site it looks like the matching system is a bit bigger.
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Post by dgtr43 on Jun 4, 2011 18:22:14 GMT -5
Is that good or bad? Have never used the original Penetrator 500.
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Post by cbrown on Jun 6, 2011 8:43:06 GMT -5
Depends. You can lengthen the matching system and loose a little antenna height overall, but you'll lose some gain.
That could just be an artists' rendering of what he thought the match would look like. I'd like to see an actual photo.
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Post by Night Ranger on Jun 15, 2011 9:03:18 GMT -5
Pre-order for Hy-Gain Super Penetrator 10/11 meter Vertical Antenna at www.dxengineering.com$150.00 plus shipping. www.dxengineering.com/Parts.asp?ID=6896&PLID=298&SecID=149&DeptID=22&PartNo=HYG-SPT-500Soon to be back in production!
This fantastic true full-size 5/8 Wave 10/11 Meter vertical antenna from Hy-Gain was a legend in the 70's...now it's back to prove its legendary status once again!
The only antenna of its type to survive the test of time!
With the steady increase in sunspot activity, 10 meters is back! This is the antenna that will allow you to collect more 10-10 numbers, work more DX and make ham radio more fun.
A full-size radiator with lower radiation angle concentrates power closer to the ground, where you want it for maximum signal. Measures 22 feet, 9.5 inches. larger diameter, heavy wall ply-tubular construction makes the new Super Penetrator™ the absolute top omnidirectional antenna around! Four full-length radials and special machine-formed brackets give extra talk-power and overall strength.
Electrical performance has been increased to a new standard by use of a longer radiator and double-matching tuning with linear phasing techniques that provide low SWR and more radiated energy. The double-matching also provides a DC path to ground to drain off precipitation static, giving an extremely low noise antenna capable of high power.
SPT-500 is specifically designed to accept AM-FM-SSB-CW and digital signals with low loss. Handles 1.5 kilowatts.
Night Ranger |
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Jun 15, 2011 19:04:48 GMT -5
Pre-order for Hy-Gain Super Penetrator 10/11 meter Vertical Antenna at www.dxengineering.com$150.00 plus shipping. www.dxengineering.com/Parts.asp?ID=6896&PLID=298&SecID=149&DeptID=22&PartNo=HYG-SPT-500Soon to be back in production!
This fantastic true full-size 5/8 Wave 10/11 Meter vertical antenna from Hy-Gain was a legend in the 70's...now it's back to prove its legendary status once again!
The only antenna of its type to survive the test of time!
With the steady increase in sunspot activity, 10 meters is back! This is the antenna that will allow you to collect more 10-10 numbers, work more DX and make ham radio more fun.
A full-size radiator with lower radiation angle concentrates power closer to the ground, where you want it for maximum signal. Measures 22 feet, 9.5 inches. larger diameter, heavy wall ply-tubular construction makes the new Super Penetrator™ the absolute top omnidirectional antenna around! Four full-length radials and special machine-formed brackets give extra talk-power and overall strength.
Electrical performance has been increased to a new standard by use of a longer radiator and double-matching tuning with linear phasing techniques that provide low SWR and more radiated energy. The double-matching also provides a DC path to ground to drain off precipitation static, giving an extremely low noise antenna capable of high power.
SPT-500 is specifically designed to accept AM-FM-SSB-CW and digital signals with low loss. Handles 1.5 kilowatts.
Night Ranger Ah! Smart move, marketing it as a 10 meter antenna to skirt those nasty CPSC regulations which pretty much decimated aluminum omni CB antennas..... |
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Post by zman on Jun 22, 2011 20:11:17 GMT -5
The feedpoint and matching system is the same as the older ones. The only thing that changed was the groundplane clamps. I saw some pics of the antenna on another forum.
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Post by cbrown on Jun 23, 2011 9:28:27 GMT -5
The feedpoint and matching system is the same as the older ones. The only thing that changed was the groundplane clamps. I saw some pics of the antenna on another forum. Ya, it didn't make sense why they'd change the matching system. Artist's rendition on the photo, I guess. |
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