Real-World Review: The Hy-Gain AV-680 Patriots Vertical Antenna
If you are looking for a true multi-band HF antenna that delivers solid performance without a massive backyard footprint, the Hy-Gain AV-680 Patriots vertical is bound to cross your radar. Covering 9 bands from 80 meters all the way up to 6 meters, it promises a lot on paper.
But how does it handle during assembly, tuning, and real-world DX operating? Let’s dive into the details.
Overview and Key Features
The AV-680 is a no-radial, 9-band vertical antenna utilizing individual quarter-wave stubs for the higher bands (6m through 17m) and matching networks/end-loading for the lower bands (20m, 30m, 40m, and 80m).
Frequency Coverage: 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, and 6 Meters.
No Radials Required: Great for smaller yards or neat installations.
Power Handling: Full legal limit on most bands.
Feedpoint: Includes a robust matching network housed in a weather-resistant box at the base.
Assembly & Mechanical Design: A Multi-Stage Project
Let’s be honest upfront—this is not an antenna you assemble in 20 minutes between radio contacts. The AV-680 is a mechanical puzzle with a lot of moving parts, stubs, and hardware.
The Build Experience
The Manual: You’ll want to follow the documentation closely. Pay precise attention to the element measurements before clamping everything down.
Work Space: Do yourself a favor and set up a solid staging area. Using portable work tables and a step ladder in the yard makes managing the long aluminum sections and delicate wire stubs significantly easier during construction.
Build Quality: The heavy-duty aluminum sections feel solid once locked together. The matching network box at the base is well laid out, featuring high-quality toroidal transformers secured tightly with heavy-duty zip ties to prevent rattling or shifting over time.
Pro-Tip: Keep some anti-seize aluminum paste handy for the joints, and take your time adjusting the individual band stubs during the initial build to save yourself trips up and down the ladder later.
Mounting and Grounding
Because the AV-680 uses an efficient counterpoise system at the base (creating a neat, starburst-like ring of capacity spokes), it doesn’t require a massive web of radial wires killing your lawn.
Mounting it to a heavy-duty, insulated steel ground post or tilt-base setup makes the final erection a smooth process. Even with its height, a well-anchored base keeps the vertical incredibly stable. For safety and lightning protection, tying the mounting mast into a dedicated ground rod system is highly recommended.
Tuning and Performance: A DX Machine
Once the antenna is vertical and hooked up to an analyzer, the magic of the AV-680 becomes clear.
SWR and Bandwidth
Thanks to the broad-band matching network, the SWR across the higher bands (10m–20m) is exceptionally clean, often dropping well below 1.5:1 right out of the box if your initial measurements were precise. On 40m and 80m, the bandwidth is understandably narrower—a common trait for any shortened vertical—but it places the resonant sweet spot exactly where you need it for digital modes or specific phone windows.
On the Air
With its low angle of radiation, the AV-680 absolutely shines for long-distance propagation.
If you track your contacts on a digital logbook (like QRZ), watching the globe light up is incredibly satisfying. Even on modest power or running digital modes like FT8 and FT4, you can routinely pick up solid, multi-band openings and bag effortless contacts across Europe (Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Romania), South America (Brazil), and over the pond to the UK. It holds its own beautifully against standard dipoles when it comes to pulling weak DX signals out of the noise.
The Verdict
What We Like:
Incredible Band Coverage: True 9-band capability from a single feedline.
No Radial Footprint: Ideal for maintaining a clean yard or dealing with space restrictions.
Excellent DX Performance: Low take-off angle punches through to distant continents easily.
Rugged Base matching: Well-engineered matching network built to handle real power.
What to Keep in Mind:
Intense Assembly: Requires patience, precise measurements, and a few hours of dedicated yard work to assemble properly.
Narrow 80m/40m Bandwidth: Expect to use an internal or external tuner if you like to wander far from your initial resonant frequency on the lower bands.
Final Thoughts
The Hy-Gain AV-680 is a phenomenal investment for any amateur radio operator wanting maximum band flexibility without putting up a massive tower or an array of wire antennas. Once you get past the intricate assembly phase and get it up in the air, its performance on the airwaves speaks for itself. It’s an absolute DX collector.
Final Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars