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Reviews For: Butternut HF6V

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : Butternut HF6V
Reviews: 90MSRP: 522.95 USD
Description:
10,15,20,30,40,80,Vert.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/but-hf6v
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00904.5
W8BBM Rating: 2004-01-05
Among verticals, it's tough to beat! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this antenna used (for 3 years by previous owner) 10 years ago, paid $50 for it and have installed it at 2 different houses of my own with the same outstanding results. The antenna is simply a performer and lasts. It has lived through 3 significant ice storms and 13 Michigan winters with NO degradation in performance. Once in a while it requires minor repair but that usually takes no more than 10-15 minutes. 80 meters is the only place where SWR needs a little work but that's not a surprise because I didn't bother to tune it with my recent move last year. It seems to love my QRP rigs by providing a steady flow of 579 reports from Europe.

I have owned both Cushcraft and Hustler verticals before but neither could come close to the performance of the Butternut HF6V.

Good luck to all and 73/72

Peter W8BBM
5R8GQ Rating: 2003-10-23
Best Multiband Vertical On The Market Time Owned: more than 12 months.
First Place:
2000 CQWW DX RTTY Contest
Single Op All Band High Power
AFRICA

First Place:
2001 ARRL RTTY Roundup
Single Op All Band High Power
Los Angeles Section

First Place:
2002 ARRL 10m Contest
Single Op High Power Phone

I had those contest results with the HF6V.
I also have 212 countries worked with 193
confirmed at this time.
At my California QTH it has roof mounted
since 1987 and has survived 90mph gusts of
wind and the 6.9 earthquake of 1994. I use the
Stub Tuned Radial Kit made by Butternut and
one radial for 80m. This is by far the best
multiband vertical on the market in my opinion.
It is designed to play with a radial system, so I would hesitate to use it with the counterpoise
unless I had to. One of the things that makes this
antenna so great is that it uses no traps and
the entire antenna length is used on every band, not so with trapped verticals. I have not had any
mechanical difficulties or problems with hardware.
I have gone through 3 sets of radials, due to wind, hot weather, and smog. They just eventually
wear out the material. You could easily make
your own radials for each band, but I like the
ease of putting up just four to cover 10m thru 40m. Product support? I don't know....never had a problem with mine so I've never had to call them.
I can't say enough good things about this antenna.
AH7I Rating: 2003-10-19
electrically nice mechanically needs improvement Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My opinion of the HF6V is that it's good electrically. It performs well as an antenna, maybe a little better on 80 than the Hustler 4BTV with the RM-80 resonator on top. If you plan on moving the thing after it's been up a few years or don't need the last bit of 80m performance I'd recommend the Hustler 5BTV at about 1/2 the money. If you have the room for two verticals I'd recommend buying two Hustler 5BTV for about the same total money. Phasing them will more than make up for the 80m difference. What don't I like about the Butternut?
Mechanically, it's not up to the task. Granted, mine is a good 10+ years old but compared to an equally old 4BTV, it's not aged well at all.
First complaint, it's too flexible and needs guying so that it wouldn't whip around in the wind. Second complaint, The hardware reacted with the aluminum and when it was time to move, the screws (not stainless) were rusty, frozen solid, and appear to have reacted with the aluminum. They will have to be replaced with larger screws and I will use stainless steel. For the price, one would think the originals would have been stainless.
Third complaint. The plastic(heat shrink?) split and peeled off. Fourth complaint. The plastic standoffs for the decoupling stub broke. Final complaint, parts cost too much.
WV4I Rating: 2003-06-08
Best Multi Band Vertical Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using this model vertical for over 20 years. They do occasionally require maintenance, as with any antenna, and parts do wear, but are available fm manufacturer, where propietary, or easily homebuilt (eg 75 ohm matching stub for 20M, lengths/specs in instructions).

This antenna is notable for excellent efficiency, except on 160M at 26 feet tall. On 80/75M it acts like an 1/8 wave but still gives excellent low angle radiation. On other bands, it's either a 1/4 wave, or 3/8 on 20M. The closer a vertical acts like a 1/4 wave, the higher the efficiency. This antenna, elevated, with at least 3 radials per band, will produce excellent DX results. Higher is always better! If you don't want DX, stick with a center fed (ladder line) Zepp, or if size restricted, a "no radial" vertical such as the Cushcraft or MFJ, but watch the power, match, SWR carefully.

An antenna analyzer such as the MFJ or Autek is a must for adjusting a multi band antenna. Also, where the antenna is elevated, some method of safe access is also a must. I use a tilt mount fm Gap, whereby I can SAFELY bring the antenna down for whatever reason without climbing, heights.

These antennas "tune" differently at ground level than when elevated. Read the instructions on this carefully.

There are no matching networks, cheap traps that attract bugs and water, etc., to worry about either. Run legal limit all day long to one of these antennas, IF properly tuned/matched. Remember, coax cable has power ratings, and with high SWR on the cable, this rating drops quickly.

I also use a coaxial choke balun where the feedline meets the matching section, with no RF in the shack at any power level.

There....that's MY review, in English, hi.
W8JN Rating: 2003-06-08
rate acceptable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
if you can pick one up used for $75 - $100 , its worthwhile. overall it does the job. the 3 rating is for construction and replacement parts ! as far as construction, cheap cheap cheap materials. tighten the 15 mtr wire and your antenna turns into the letter c... connecting parts rust... straps that hold the coils to the mast are pitifully underconstructed , and will metal fatigue and break if you adjust the coils more than a few times... replacement parts are in the "price gouge" range. rg-11 connector from butternut.. close to $30.. flea mkt price $0.50 ... i am satisfied with my $75 hf6v.. would i spend $600 on it and the counterpoise kit? not a chance !
N4OGW Rating: 2003-05-09
works well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used various HF6V's for about 15 years. They work well for their size. Needs a good ground system as with any vertical.

Tuning is somewhat of a pain, especially if it is mounted on a roof where it is harder to reach. In an above-ground mount, the tuning settings are quite different from the standard ones in the manual (actually the manual does have some comments on this).

Main mechanical complaint: the fiberglass insulators fit slightly loosely inside the tubing sections. After several years of exposure to wind, the insulators start to wear down, making the fit even looser, until the antenna starts to "flop" back and forth. This can cause the connection to the feedline to break. I've seen this on more than one HF6V, and it is mostly an issue if mounting it above ground on a roof. Maybe installing a hose clamp to tighten the joint would help. Guy ropes might help as well.
N2JLW Rating: 2003-03-31
I love it great antenna! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my HF6V used 13 years ago for $50.00. I had it installed on ground level and it worked great for me on 10 Meters. Being only a Tech+ I couldn't transmit on the other ham bands but it worked great for receiving. I had a G5RV up at 20ft and most times when I tuned in a freq. I would get better S units with the HF6V. I have been inactive for 10 years and just blew the dust off the 'ol HF6V and about ready to install it again at a new QTH. Only problem I'm having is looking at it, I don't remember how to set it up. If anyone has the instructions they can copy and send to me that would be great! I'm willing to pay if needed. Please respond to my E-mail at XZQUX@AOL.COM if you can help me. I just bought another Kenwood 440 like the rig I used to have when I was active and would like to get the HF6V together again so I can get back on the air! Thanks for any help.

73 Len N2JLW soon to be General :)

Also I'm looking for windows software for my PK-232MBX. I had it packed in it's orignal box and it's still brand new. I have everything but the software. Any Help there also?

Thanks again guys!
IK1QHB Rating: 2003-03-03
Good Antenna for small roof Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After a month of test on the HF6 i can write a first impression review about my new HF6V.
I’m really satisfied of the antenna, in comparison with my old antenna (GAP Challenger DX) and now i can explain the reasons.
The HF is really more light respect the GAP, or, is really more better built because is telescopic; the Gap isn’t really telescopic, and the top isn’t so different of the base of the antenna, and this is the reason because i have had damage for two time by the strong wind also if the antenna is guyed with 9 wires on three flat.
Now the HF6 is on my new QTH on a 35’ pole and it is guyed with 3 wires up on the 30 m coil like Butternut says.
Band by band i can say this:
10m really better than GAP 2 or 3 s unit, and 100 w is enough for broke any huge pile up; I use 2 radial for the moment in 10m;
15m: more or less the same of 10m band;
20m: little bit better than GAP but like on every band 100 w is necessary for broke any pile up. Use 2 radials here;
40m: more or less is the same of GAP. Use 2 radials here tuned also for 15m band;
80m: never made any test with GAP.
Seems there aren’t any problem with 1500w in the coil system and this is fine…… never had any problem with my old GAP because it haven’t coil and from 10 to 40m full power from PA was ok, except in 80m band where maximum power was 300w ‘cause there’s the condenser for resonance( I have destroyed 2 caps for over power !!!).
Actually must tune the antenna in 15, 20 30 and 40m band but seems very easy (tnx MFJ 259) and can run full power on 10m band where ros is 1:1 from 28 to 29, but like have already say the amp isn’t so often necessary in the past with other kind of antennas.
Thank you Butternut, really well done!
Paul IK1QHB
N8AU Rating: 2002-08-14
Super Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned mine since 1984 and have used it at the 6 different homes I've lived in and for many portable/Field Day operations. This antenna is a superb piece of engineering. It's great as a contesting antenna. I've used it for Sweepstakes, Field Day, WPX, and for the old 73 single sideband Championships (a 3rd place in the world on 20 meters). Great performer, easy to transport when needed, and very resiliant. The only damage I've EVER had to it was during an ice storm when everything in town was coated with 3 inches of ice. Had 2 sections of the tubing bend under the stress but was able to repair it for less than $15, including tax. I'll always have one of these in my station!
K4GVN Rating: 2002-08-14
nothing but good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have nothing but good to say about this antenna. Ground mounted with no radials (mineral soil in DFW area). Works very well.

Did have to replace 40m door knob cap - thought part was expensive at $30+ plus shipping. Bought whole antenna used for $75.00.

Easy to take down and put up with my ground mounted setup. Have used for CW tent at Field Day, 2 special event stations, JOTA and Kids Day for past 3 years.

Looked at GAP, but know of 2 with failed joint at base; didn't inspire confidence.

Only complaint is from wife-having to mow around the coax... :-)

Best return on investment in radio gear I have ever made.