Lowell,

Jim KY2D is flying back from Croatia today, and  he may chime  in on 
this  in a day or two.   Maybe a week or so ago he posted a 3 part 
thing on his hex beam, rotor, and installation.   I found it 
informative.   If you don't have them, get them from the blind hams list 
archives at:

http://listserv.icors.org/archives/blind-hams.html


In a nutshell, Jim went with a Hex from K4KIO and modified his existing 
Ham IV control box  with a rotor control from Germany.


Last summer I put up a Hex from NA4RR and a Yeasu G-800 rotor.    You 
can easily feel the pointer  to know direction and future PC control is 
  through a din jack on the control box.   Just plug in the proper 
interface if desired, no need to modify the box.

Which antenna  is better?  Who knows.   Whichever one falls down first, 
get the other one.   Actually, there are several Hex options to choose 
from.   Be sure you get one that is "plug and play".   Everything is 
pre-measured, pre-cut, and much of it is pre-assembled.
    I think most sold today are based on the  work of a G3 ham who  came 
up with a more broadbanded design than the original.  Since they are all 
based on the same design, I don't think you will  see any real 
performance differences  between brands.

I put mine together in an afternoon, by myself, and I think Jim did the 
same.  I spent the extra 30 bucks or so and got the "ice cords",  which 
add an extra level of support  at the mid-way point of each of the 6 
spreaders.   Mine survived  a pretty nasty winter with lot's of winds 
and  several ice storms.


Good luck, Steve KW3A


On 5/8/2015 2:40 PM, Lowell Miller wrote:
> I am planning on going to Hamvention next week and I am going to be =
> putting up a hexbeam and I wonder which is the best in performance and =
> in construction.
> Also, I need to find a rotor that is blind friendly.  What would you =
> suggest to me from your experience or have heard?
> Thanks for any help!
> Best 73.
> Lowell  W8QIY
>
>
>