Vertical HF Antenna Recommendations - Elmers Forum at eHam.net

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eHam.net Forum : Elmers : Vertical HF Antenna Recommendations

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Vertical HF Antenna Recommendations	Reply
by KD7ZVL on June 7, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
I want reccomendations for a Ground mounted (well 2 ft off the ground) Vertical HF antenna. I have used a Cushcraft R8 vertical antenna, and I have intermitant SWR problems. The antenna was purchased new about 5 weeks ago. Cushcraft did send me another matching network box, but I am having the same problem. Myself, and several other hams have checked the antenna out top to bottom, checked for tightness of connections, tried different coax, etc., and still have the same problem. It does it on all the bands. I have had it with this antenna. It is too bad, because it worked good on DX (from Washington state). but I can't deal with irratic SWR. What other antennas can you reccomend? 73 Bill now KW7KUD

RE: Vertical HF Antenna Recommendations	Reply
by WB2WIK on June 7, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
Sounds more like a problem with your installation than a problem with your antenna, although it could be either. The R8 is a very complex antenna with lots of interconnected resonant assemblies. It only takes one loose connection anywhere in the system to cause problems. With the help of a friend, you might monitor feedpoint impedance (like with an antenna analyzer) while using a wooden stick to bang on various parts of the antenna, to see if anything changes. If you have an "antenna problem," this will likely reveal where it is. If the antenna is solid and it's really an "installation problem," that might be due to the way you have the antenna mounted. Remember the mounting mast the antenna sits on is part of the antenna system. If it's making intermittant contact with earth due to changes in soil conditions (or anything else), that will make the SWR erratic. Two ways to solve that particular problem, if it exists: 1. Embed the mounting pipe in concrete so nothing can move at all. 2. Use an insulator at the R8-to-mast interface, like a piece of 2" PVC tubing over the mast, so your clamped connection at the mounting point will be completely insulated, with no ground connection at all. WB2WIK/6

RE: Vertical HF Antenna Recommendations	Reply
by W9PMZ on June 7, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
The Butternut HF9V will work very well. The Hustler 6BTV (5BTV no 30M) is also a good choice, but it doesn't cover 12M and 17M. However, both of these antennas require radials if mounted on the ground. If mounted on a roof, less radials are required. I've had the R7, R7000, HF9V, 5BTV and Hygain 18AVQ (no longer manufactured). I had more problems with the antenna working correctly (i.e. your SWR problems) with the R7 and R7000 than the other verticals. I am using a 5BTV with 60 radial right now and it works very well with no problems. It's no beam on 10M, 15M or 20M; but I have good signal. If I had the money to purchase another vertical right now, it would be in this order, Hygain 18HT, Butternut HF9V and lastly Hustler 4BTV or 5BTV or 6BTV. 73, Carl - W9PMZ

RE: Vertical HF Antenna Recommendations	Reply
by W2NSF on June 7, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
If you want to try another multi-band trap vertical, I wholeheartedly recommend the Hustlers. I have a 5BTV, ground mounted, with about 24 radials (this number grows larger every pay day) and it is a superb antenna. Just follow all the directions and you'll be satisfied.

RE: Vertical HF Antenna Recommendations	Reply
by N6AJR on June 7, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
I use the 5BTV ground mounted with no radials and it does ok, I do keep the ground watered around it ( keeps the grass green). I think it works better than I expected, and it does great on dx due to the low (19 degree) take off angle.

RE: Vertical HF Antenna Recommendations	Reply
by K6AER on June 7, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
I use the Big SteppIR vertical mounted on the metal roof of my horse barn at 20 feet. The VSWR is flat at all frequencies from 7-54 MHz. Performance wise it is about 15 dB less gain than my 4 element monobander at 105 feet. Performance wise it is pretty good considering the investment differential between an expensive beam and a vertical. I have found that elevated verticals always perform better than ground mounted verticals especially on 20 meters and higher. Mounting the vertical on a metal roof is even better. Verticals are more susceptible to noise and that can be a problem. Also they need to mounted in the clear and away from structures and other man made sources of noise. Your experience with the R7000 was the same one I had. Its performance was not a good as a simple dipole, even on different bands. There is no free lunch. Traps and fancy counterpoise systems are inefficient and lossy. A full quarter wave length vertical is always better than a shortened one.

RE: Vertical HF Antenna Recommendations	Reply
by X-WB1AUW on June 7, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
Could be a PL259 or co-ax problem. I've never trusted crimp on connectors. It takes practicise and a big iron to solder the shield, and a small or normal iron to solder the tip. Bob

RE: Vertical HF Antenna Recommendations	Reply
by K7JQ on June 7, 2004	Mail this to a friend!
I used a Cushcraft R-7000 and it had the same problems as your R-8. Replaced it with a Hy-Gain AV640- runs 6-40 meters , better bandwidth than the Cushcraft, mechanically sturdier and stable, no intermittent problems. Similar installation and radial system as R-8. Highly recommended. 73, Bob, K7JQ

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