scott@hpuslma.UUCP (10/06/85)
I have just recently received my Tech license, built a HW-5400 now at Heath for further trouble shooting after I found numerous bad MOSFET's, and am now in search of a suitable multiband HF antenna to get me started. To that end I am considering some sort of trap vertical, so could someone please give me some suggestions, comments, or advice on the HyGain 18AVT, Cushcraft AV5, and Hustler 5BVT/6BVT. Which one would give the best overall operation and freq. coverage. Any assistance would be appreciated. 73, Jim Scott N0GLP
price%marlin@nosc.ARPA (James N. Price) (10/08/85)
------- I'm not speaking from personal experience, but close second hand experience. I think the "all band" Butternut vertical is about the best one on the market. It seems to work extremely well, is easy to assemble and adjust, etc. They're kinda expensive, like $125 or so, but seem to be worth it. It's a somewhat more "state of the art" device than the ones you listed. Don't have the model number right handy, but I think there's both an older version (80 thru 10) and a newer one (160 thru 10 including the WARC bands). Good DX and all that--Jim, K6ZH -------
CRC.DlosLV@Xerox.ARPA (10/09/85)
Jim, I use the Butternut (HFV6) and find it very good. I know others in the area who use it too. Most of them use it on the ground with only a good ground rod driven in next to the ant ground terminal. Chuck... W5USJ
Hardie@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA (Maj. Douglas Hardie) (10/09/85)
Any of those verticals require a good ground plane to be effective. I have used the Hygain in several configurations. It only worked when it was not close to large metal objects and had a good set of radials. I had real problems with the radials when mounting the antenna on the roof. Never got that to work very well. If you ground mount it, it is easier to get a good ground plane, but you have to watch out for others (usually kids) who touch it while you`re operating. I have switched to the Cushcraft R3 which is a half-wave vertical for 20-15-10 and does not require radials. You lose the bottom bands, but avoid the radial problem. -- Doug WA6VVV
jhallen.WBST@Xerox.ARPA (10/09/85)
Jim, You didn't mention the Butternut Vertical but I would sure recommend it. W1BBJ, Bill, Greenwich CT., has his 5BDXCC using one. I also found the construction to be rugged. Good Luck. 73, Jim NK2M
wheatley@inuxi.UUCP (Steven Wheatley) (10/15/85)
> Jim, > You didn't mention the Butternut Vertical but I would sure recommend it. > W1BBJ, Bill, Greenwich CT., has his 5BDXCC using one. I also found the > construction to be rugged. Good Luck. > 73, Jim NK2M I second the butternut vertical....i worked 5bwas, dxcc (mixed, ssb, and cw ) with mixed to 175 endorsement, WAC, and did well in several contests...using the darn antenna from an apartment patio, with NO ground wires.....I have heard people using them with ground planes, and their stories are even more successful. 73, Steve Wheatley KU9C