Les,
Hygain uses the same insulator for several of their
antennas, and it can be a problem with all of them.
Replacing it with a 'solid' insulator of some kind is
one solution. I'm still hunting for a replacement for
one for an 'R-7' (the only difference is in the length).
Thought about using 'Delrin'(sp) or some other type of
plexiglas/perspex, but haven't found a source yet.
Good luck...
'Doc