Hy-Gain Explorer 14
$$$$·
| Frequency | 20m: 14.0-14.35 MHz, 15m: 21.0-21.45 MHz, 10m: 28.0-29.7 MHz |
| Bands | 20m, 15m, 10m |
| Gain | 8 dBi |
| Modes | SSB, CW, AM, FM, digital |
| Connector | SO-239 |
| Year | 1975 |
| feedpoint | SO-239 |
Hy-Gain's mid-size tribander. 4 elements on a 14-foot boom with the unique Para-Sleeve driven element system. 7.5-8.8 dBi. 1500W PEP. Modest 17-foot turning radius fits most city lots. Optional QK-710 kit adds a 30m or 40m driven element.
The Para-Sleeve system is complex. Gain is good but not spectacular for a 14-foot boom. 20.4 kg (45 lbs). Trapped elements have some loss.
A popular, affordable mid-size tribander. The Explorer 14 (EXP-14) is not the highest-gain tri-band Yagi, but it is one many operators can afford and install, and a reasonable antenna on a tall tower beats an expensive one on a short mast. 4 elements, a 14-ft boom, 7.5-8.8 dBi, 1500W.
The Hy-Gain Explorer-14 (EXP-14) is a classic tri-band HF Yagi beam, a four-element directional antenna for the 10, 15, and 20-meter bands that has been a popular choice for serious HF operators for decades. With around 14 feet of boom it delivers solid gain, roughly 7.5 to 8.8 dB across the three bands, letting you point your signal and pull weak DX out of the noise.
Its clever feature is the way it covers three bands without conventional lossy traps: a 'Para-Sleeve' driven-element system and multi-band reflectors handle the band switching, which helps keep efficiency up. It handles the full legal limit of 1,500 watts and holds a usable SWR across each band. Like any HF beam it needs a sturdy mast and a rotator, and its 17-foot turning radius calls for some clear space.
Hy-Gain's parent MFJ Enterprises wound down manufacturing in 2024, and the Hy-Gain brand was acquired by ITU Corporation in 2026, so availability has recently been in transition. It competes with other compact tribanders such as the Hy-Gain TH-3JR and the classic Hy-Gain Thunderbird series.