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write your own review of the Butternut HF5B Mini Beam.
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K1EXE
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Rating: 2/5
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Jun 22, 2006 05:39
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correction regarding mini-quad hybrid
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I would like to make what I feel is a correction to those people who are considering a comparison between the HF5B and the Canadian Mini-Quad Hybrid; first, order the manual for the Mini-Quad Hybrid and look it over, you will find that the design has nothing whatsoever in common with a Quad antenna. The antenna is simply a two-element beam close-coupled with loading coils all along each element. Those Quad-appearing wires are simply there as bracing, and to supply some capacitance to the rear element in order to broad-band it somewhat. I have purchased an HF5B from Butternut after comparing the two antennas, I feel that although I have not yet assembled the HF5B at least there are no loading coils involved and little tip capacitance added. I feel that the HF5B without loading coils will easily outperform the so-called Hybrid Mini Quad But, as I say, I have not yet assembled the HF5B. my choice was based simply on the characteristics of loading coils Vs. Capacitance coupling. 2 Element mini-beams can perform well with loading coils, as I have built my own single-bander with loading coils, but for only one band (20M). Multi-banding with series loading coils, and greatly forshortened elements will not usually out-perform simple capacitively-coupled elements as in the HF5B.-J.W. White
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N5GLR
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 9, 2005 08:42
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Works well for me.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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My small backyard dictated a beam with a very small footprint. After researching all of the small HF beams, I decided to buy the HF5B when I found a used one for a good price. Mine was less than a year old when I bought it about 6 months ago. It's mounted on a push-up pole at 45 feet and the weight at the top is less than 30 lbs. (i.e. CDE45 rotator, short mast, and beam). "Wing span" is a bit over 12' so, I'm inside my property lines ... not hanging over my neighbors yard.
I heartily agree with other owners concerning finicky tuning. I'm still fiddling with 10 and 15 meter trying to get the SWR below 2:1.
This antenna has certainly highlighted the inadequacy of my wire antennas. The gain figures for this beam are given dbd (e.g. .3 dbd on 20 meter) but, I'm consistantly seeing at least 1 S unit (i.e. 6 db) gain over my inverted V on 20 meter. I'm very satisfied (and pleasantly surprised) with the performance. Of course it can't rival a full size tribander or mono-bander but, it has certainly improved my signal and I'm happy with it.
Garry
N5GLR
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NU4B
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 16, 2003 22:16
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Great antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is a great antenna especially if you don't have the ability or deire to erect a full size tower and beam. I have mine on my roof with a Radio Shack mast and a Radio Shack TV rotator. The one I'm using now is my second over the last 20 years ( the first was a HF4B ). I managed to destroy the first one in storage. I got the new one a couple of years ago. Its really straightfoward on contruction, easy to install, and easy to maintain. Its very durable and if you have to replace the wires after a few years its simple.
The one I got a couple years ago had a bad capacitor - a quick call and I got a replacement - no problem.
As far as performance - its not a log periodic - its a 2 element mini bean. But it does have decent directivity.
I operate at QRP levels ( 5 watts and below ) and have confirmed almost 200 countries on 20, and 150 or so on 10 an 15. Started on 12 and 17 DXCC with the secaond antenna and I'm almost done. On 12 I'm just waiting for the cards. I've even worked 13 countries with a Rock - Mite ( 500 mw ).
The point is if you don't want to full around with a tower and large beam ( or if you can't do to restrictions ) this antenna will get you on the air with darn good performance and 5 band coverage. What more could you want?
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WN3VAW
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Rating: 3/5
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Oct 8, 2001 18:01
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Finicky... but could be worse
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Assembly of the Butterfly is straight forward. But you will find that tuning of it can be a bit of a pain. Precision is important, which is not surprising considering that it is a compromise antenna (to get the kind of coverage it has in that small a space). If you lack patience, then this may not be the antenna for you -- if you are patient, and especially if you are real estate challenged, strongly consider it. But keep in mind what it is you are buying -- it is a very good antenna within the limits of it's size and design, but don't expect more than you should from it.
When I assembled mine, I dealt directly with the old Butternut (pre-Bencher purchase) and the owner, Don Newcomb W0DN. He was of great assistance in tweaking it.
The Butterfly series came out a few years after the old Mini-Quad (yagi/quad hybrids) went out of production. Now that a new company is making what appears to be a direct knock-off of the Mini-Quad (or did they buy the rights to it? if so, why don't they use the name?), a direct comparision of the two antennas would appear to be in order!
73, ron wn3vaw
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N7FFO
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Rating: 1/5
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Oct 8, 2001 15:21
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Not very good
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have not been at all happy with my HF5B. The construction was somewhat straightforward, but tuning was a headache. Probably the biggest problem I had was with Butternut Customer Support. The gentleman I talked to was surly and acted as if I was interrupting him from something more important.
The antenna is somewhat directional. I think there are better antennas out there by far for a similar price. One is the hybrid quad sold out of Canada. Additionally, a small 3 element beam will get you more bang for the bucks with much better performance. In short, don't waste your money.
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DJ4ZL
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 15, 2001 03:37
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Good small antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Bought a used then year old Butternut HF5B after i read an interresting article in the german CQ DL Ham Radiomagazin November 98 about limited space antenna installations.
The antenna was up in the air for two years and not being used anymore.
Took me some days to clean all aluminium tubes, and i performed some modifications.
1.) Replacement of the tiny alu boom with a 2 mm thick wall stainless steel tube.
2.) Replacement of all eight antenna wire with uv resistant insulation coating.
3.) Replacement of all eight heavy rusty M-shaped brackets with home made alu brackets.
4.) Replacement of the rubber seals on all six capacitors.
Took me some days to adjust the antenna at 10ft in my garden according to Butternut tuning procedure. After final installation at 35ft above ground it out performed my previus vertical antennas.The Butterfly has very good front-to-back and front-to-side action.
I recommend it for general 20/15/10 meter use,on 12 and 17 meters it works as a dipol.
The Butterfly is built as a compromise antenna,i feel it is an acceptable substitute for a full-size tribander.
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