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You can
write your own review of the Hustler 5BTV HF vertical.
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M6FBS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 21, 2009 15:13
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Absolutely amazing!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Let me start by saying that my 5btv is not new - far from it. It had belonged to an elderly ham who moved house and couldn't accomodate it. He had carefully marked it up for me as he took it to pieces so setting it up was a breeze. I just tightened all the clips on his marks and it tuned perfectly on all bands! I have it ground mounted with two tuned radials on each band plus the rest of the 100 metre roll of wire I used, cut to various lengths and sunk into the garden.
What a revelation! I thought my Carolina Windom was decent on all but 80m but that was before I met the Hustler. Suddenly I can work stations on the Hustler that I can't even hear on the Windom!
Pros: A great night-time dx antenna.
SWRs on all but 80m without a tuner across the whole band. (80m tune to your favourite part of the band and use a tuner for the rest).
For a vertical 80m is good even in the daytime.
Cons: Haven't found any yet! (except the toil of putting in the radials!)
Reports during terribly low propogation period (running just 10w from the South Coast of England):
80m: Edinburgh 59 Belfast 58
40m: Rome 59 Madiera 58
20m: Moscow 59, Detroit 57, Puerto Rico 57
10m: Venice 59
Absolutely Amazing!
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KD4SZJ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 22, 2009 13:31
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AJ4IB
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Hustler 5 BTV is the best Vertical I've worked with so far. Thought about the Gap Titan for a long time, but opted for the 5BTV as My buddy, Danny KD4GNM, had a 4btv and it worked like gangbusters!! I wanted 75/80 so I got the 5BTV. This antenna offered me a whole 2 S unit increase in recieve to start off with and outdid my Buxcomm Windom hands down!(But I still love my Windom!!). This antenna was definitely a Hoss Cat to set up and tune-- But I have found unless you use some brand of analyzer, you are in for a BUNCH of running back and forth.I Would definitely say DO NOT attempt to tune without an analyzer!!! YOU will have to tune those traps too-- so get ready for that. My antenna did not have enough length to tune properly without tuning the traps.It's no big deal as you can find out for yourself. Just be sure to reseal thoroughly with silicon sealer.DO NOT cut on this antenna PERIOD.It can be tuned without it. Ground radials are a definite Must also.I now have 21 of varying lengths in place now, and plan to add 9 more as any miore than 30 show little return on effort put out.My radials are buried thanks to a $4.95 Walmart flat bladed shovel and a little time expended. My antenna is just about flat all over the bands and 75/80 works well too. Just tune for the segment of the band that you use mainly and you can use an antenna tuner for the rest. All the other bands don't need a tuner. I bought mine from DX Engineering and bought the choke to go with it. The choke is a Must too.All work hand in hand. Use a good solid center low loss double shielded coax and this rounds out the formula. Danny has added 12 and 17 meters to his, and mine is waiting on me to do the same. That will be done with the addition of the 9 other radials this summer.
Tha was the best $150 I ever spent in my ham radio career-- haven't regretted it 5 seconds.5 outta 5 is not Good enough to rate this antenna.
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W2KG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 10, 2009 12:54
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Effective Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Between '77 and '82 I had a 5BTV mounted on the peak of my roof with two radials on each band. Running 100W I worked mixed DXCC and WAS. Admittedly, the bands were pretty decent in those days, but, in my opinion, the 5BTV did a fine job for me. I replaced it with a Mosley TA-32 yagi to get some directionality (if that's a real word?). Given the right location and radials, I don't think you'll go wrong with a 5BTV. Just remember it ain't a log periodic.
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M6SIX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 10, 2009 09:24
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Proud owner
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have one of these antennas, ground mounted, and with ALL instructions followed to a 'T'. I even fitted the two Chokes that are recommended! One just after the feedline (about three feet) into the antenna and one just about five feet away from the rig, both chokes are of a 6 inch diameter, and each with ten windings. Now I tried the antenna before fitting these chokes and I was very impressed with the results BUT, after fitting the chokes ... Wow!! what a difference, very very low noise, and a reduction in SWR, albeit a small difference in the SWR.
OK, I have now located a full set of 'cut to length' counterpoises, and after reading all the previous comments on this great site, I expect there to be an even better result from this easy to fit antenna.
At the moment I can concur with all other donators to this forum, in that "what you hear you can reply to" .
When I have fitted the counterpoise' I shall come back with the results, improvements (if possible) are hoped for!
Just as an addendum, I have tried many other types and makes of antenna and none compare to this beauty.
Best regards.
Brian.
ps. I am at sea level with the water-table just a couple of feet below the ground.
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AD5WO
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 17, 2008 10:14
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Replaced DX-88
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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After a large tree blew down on my Hy-Gain DX-88 I replaced it with a Hustler 5BTV. I moved locations a few feet, so I only have 11 radials in place, but this antenna works great. I plan to increase the radials to at least 8 per band within the next few weeks.
I did the 17 meter mod. If you have not done the mod, try it. It only takes a few minutes and it tunes up beautifully, with no effect on other bands.
The 5BTV is the best antenna value alive.
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KA2TUS
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 12, 2008 10:58
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Roof Mounted Review
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Used 3 locations. New in late 1970's was ground mounted at sea level near Ocean east-L.I. with 6 radials-40-20-10. Antenna did not work well locally and poor DX. In NY City, atop a 5 story Bldg. with 2 radials, each 65' long. Had the 80 meter resonater until age killed it late 2007. On roof it worked great. With a Dentron GLT-1000, I could tune from 3.85 to 4.0 and higher through 10 meters. Antenna was stored for about 10 years. Still working it 20 to 40, seemed to lose 10 meters when removed 80 resonater. Often ran a KW+ through it.
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KE5SFK
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 11, 2008 12:57
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Maximizing the radials
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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The 5BTV works great for me. The tilt base for tuning and storm protection is well worth the money. My 25 ground radials sit on rocky hilltop land that has poor conduction. I overcame this by laying a 25x25 grid of chicken wire ontop of the ground radials. I then scattered 2 boxes of rock salt around to increase the salinity. Grass clippings on top of chicken wire hid it nicely and was soon incorporated into the soil. Long wire attatched in place of the 80m load coil makes a full functioning band.
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K2PJW
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 9, 2008 06:40
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Perfect for me
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have this antenna ground mounted with many ground radials. However, I used it without ground radials for a short time and had good results too. Out performs my 40 meter dipole on that band. In this lull of sunspot activity I have casually been working stations in africa, middle east, europe, and latin america. Only with this antenna and 100 watts. My location is not particularly good so this antenna works for my than one reason for me. There is a great article about how to hide it in a flag pole type set up.
After I bought mine I found out I could have gotten it for much less money through a different distributor, so do some research before you plunk down the cash. I would also suggest wb2wik's article about this antenna and radials. DX Engineering's website has several good articles also. This antenna is easy to mod for 12 and 17m, just google it and you will have hours and hours of good informative ideas.
In summary this antenna serves my needs well. I regularly qso with stations in all different directions so a beam would be a pain to turn constantly. It's light and the easiest antenna that I have ever put together. Tuning can sometimes take time, but take your time and do it right, and you'll be set for good. Even if you have other antennas add this one to the "farm." It's relatively inexpensive and it's always good to have a go-to omni directional antenna! 73.
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KI6KQJ
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 2, 2008 18:07
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all n all goog field day vert
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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at first fed with coax.just so so then tried 60'ladder line. it realy opend up,rx & tx. + gained upper part 160m.hustler realy should mention the use of ladder line.
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VE1VOX
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 28, 2008 19:46
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Great performer!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Bought the 5BTV last year but didn't install it until this summer at my new QTH. Renovations didn't allow time to pour a base for my tower so I decided to erect the vertical and to but up a mast for a rotatable dipole. I mounted the vertical on DX Engineering tilt base and radial plate and installed approx 30 radials. I did have to adjust the traps to obtain the lowest swr. How does it look? Great! But how does it work...Gangbusters! Tons of DX on 20m & 40m. 80m is a compromise as can be expected with a short vertical, but I still work Africa and Europe regularly. And guess what, I'm not putting up the dipole based on this performance. The vertical will be a permanent addition to the yagi on the tower next year.
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