SWR Adjustments To The Hustler 6BTV HF antenna

I adjust the overall length for 10, 15 and 20m to get an optimum SWR on 40m which ended up 1:5 - 1:8.

Tips: start with 10m get that right then work on each band adjusting each element length accordingly to get the lowest SWR.

[edwarddoyle]

Hello, thanks for taking the time to make this video. I watched the part with your meter several times and now I see the error of my way. After I figured out I needed to bring the frequency into the freq range of the band I was trying to tune I was very happy to see that I went from 2.5 at 28500 to 1.2. Another rain shower has interrupted me again but I finally understand what I'm looking for Thanks again de Ed K3ENV.

[barrydavison]

As I said in my previous posts I will give an update on the installation of this antenna.
Basically I purchased the BTV-5 but left off the 80mtr resonator thereby using it as a BTV- 4
Installation was against timber post and rail fence with a timber cantilever mod to lower the antenna.
First SWR measurements off the scale, infinity
Installed short mild steel ground post and then achieved SWRs of between 7 and infinity
This minuscule improvement suggested that the problem was the grounding
Then buried 8 off 2mm bare copper wires 4 mtr long and coupled these to a buss bar and then connected via a 6mm copper wire to antenna base.
This improved the SWR but still nothing below 3
Next I removed the buss bar and ground rod and connected radials direct to the antenna base.
Now we are cooking!
This arrangement provided 90 degree ground cover
Then installed a further 8 radials making 180degree coverage and “hey presto” 1.1 center band and 1.6 /8 at the edges
I can tweak this further by adjustments of the tube lengths.
Now interestingly I spent many hours researching this antenna and can summarise as follows.
Radials are essential
16 being the optimal number
Ground rod not necessary if good radial system installed
DONT BOTHER WITH THE INSTALLATION SETTINGS INCLUDED IN THE ANTENNA KIT

DX ENGINEERING provide an extremely comprehensive manual of 60 pages most of which dedicated to the Huster verticals
This is available as a free download and provided the settings that I used.
Also included are dedicated adjustment setting for the traps.
I hope that this is helpful to others who may be experiencing problems tuning this antenna and thank those who took the time to give me advice
Ps I also provided an insulated support 1 mtr up from the base to help reduce stress at base during windy conditions
73 Barry G0VEI

[charlieoscar]

Cheers for the video Simon and good luck if your about in the contest.

[simontemplar]

A happy Saturday/Sunday to you and your family Simon. 73 my friend.

Pat W1DUK

[penzman]

Wished you Happy New Year from Canada last night on your live channel and rembering just now about this 6-BTV video of yours. Waiting for mine to be delivered. Looking forward to throwing waves at each other using the same antenna. :D

[barrydavison]

Yes I wondered that as well. I’m putting a 4 foot copper ground rod in and if no difference I’ll drive a scaffold pole in and mount against that. If ok with you I’ll keep in touch with developments as others may find it useful
Cheers Barry

[wramsey]

A neighborhood dog always keeps me company when i am out doing antenna work. Dogs are great companions, i should get this dog a small took belt to join my efforts. Thank you for the post good info! KO4QWY 73s

[glenmartin]

Thank you. I have the 6 also.
Have a small yard also. Was difficult to find a place free from metal rain gutters and fences.
Such metal items have to be twenty feet or more away from a vertical to avoid changing the tuning, or detuning the antenna.
I have the antenna close to the ground and am still sorting out tuning the antenna. 73, N0QFT

[z.i.]

Hello! I`ve a 6 BTV. Installation on roof possibe- with no radials, but using the big aluminium frame from my solarpanals on the roof?

[daveengstrom]

Today is Oct 14th 2024. I just watched your video. I was trying to tune my 5BTV and it seemed to be too long. The on line booklet says NOT to trim any tubes, but I see you cut off an inch. I tried calling the company, but they were closed (they are on East coast time and I am on west coast time). I was tempted to saw off a bit of my 10 meter section like you did. Did cutting your antenna like you did cause any other issues??

[Patrickjdee]

Hi Simon,
Did you only use 180* of radials ? My antenna will be going at end of garden with about 24ft in front, 10ft left and right and about 6ft behind, can I have a mixture of sizes or do you recommend just sticking with 180* of radials, thanks mate for your help, I’m learning loads from you 👍🏽M7PJD

[djdaveb]

Hi mate im thinking of buying one of these are they a devil to get right

[MrRicksho]

greetings, needs some advise here. i have a 5btv, with High swr on all bands. question i have, , i set the lenghts based on the hustler measurements with ground radials, so now should i shorten the lengths starting from 10meter trap to get lower swr?

[andyEJIU]

Hi Simon I noticed your not using the 20m capacity hat (think that's what it's called) had mine up around 3 months now and is fantastic 1.1:1 on all bands and highest is only 1:5:1 on 80:) works fantastic on dx on 20 and 40 :) just wondered why your not using the hat n does it make any difference?? Cheers

[daveborchard]

What’s the total length of the 6BTV antenna? Could that antenna be put inside of a larger plastic PVC pipe to create a stealth flagpole antenna? That’s interesting to hear the W2RE super HF station from your location and antenna.
Dave KY0L

[mikedevita]

When you adjust, are you moving the trap sleeves up or down or the individual tubes. Thanks.

[jess]

I have the the 6 as well, I have tried doing it from the instructions, swr way up high, I had it 2 foot of the grass, and six foot still not good, I had the radials out as per the instructions, but still no go, so am a bit stamped, as I would have used it mainly for 20-40 and 80 so some where l have not got it right, any ideas please

[shuttersound]

Great video, I have the 4btv and wondered if you can tell me honestly how it performs on 80m with that resonator as I was going to buy one, have you got radials out for 80m? And if you could give me a video demo on the 80m on it I'd be very happy. Thanks Simon. 👍

[penzman]

I wonder if some product can be applied onto a brand new antenna to prevent corrosion?
I'm ordering the B6TV and it will be sitting on a 6 foot high base on a 3rd floor balcony, no appartments above. I should get grea treception as I'm sitting on the 2nd highest point top in the entire area, the highest hosts a variety of transmission towers for tv and radio. I've experimented with dipoles for 20 m and 40 m and it was very deceiving, more noise than signals, very weak.
Getting my Yaesu FT-One back tonight and I'll try again with the dipoles until the antenna arrives.

[Patrickjdee]

Hi Simon, I have just ordered the 6BTV, I’m new to the game, does the pole have to physically go into the ground or can it sit in a metal base (heavy parasol base) on paving slabs, I’ve only been a ham for a year and only just bought my first antenna, your videos convinced me, I’m a radio man from the 80s that has been away for too long,
M7PJD cheers mate 73