Instructions
Model HF6V
WARNING: DO NOT INSTALL THE ANTENNA WHERE ANY PART
OF IT CAN COME INTO CONTACT WITH POWER LINES IN THE
EVENT OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE, DURING INSTALLATION OR
IN THE COURSE OF NORMAL FLEXING AFTER INSTALLATION
FOR SUCH CONTACT CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO PROPERTY,
BODILY INJURY OR EVEN DEATH!
WARNING: IN NO CASE SHOULD THE ANTENNA BE INSTALLED
WHERE STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF ANY PART OF THE
ANTENNA OR ITS SUPPORTING SYSTEM CAN ENDANGER
PERSONS OR PROPERTY.
CAUTION! A GROUNDED ANTENNA WILL BE AT D.C. GROUND
POTENTIAL! TO AVOID THE DANGER OF SHOCK CONNECT ALL
STATION EQUIPMENT TO A GOOD EARTH GROUND. IT IS ALSO
RECOMMENDED THAT ALL STATION EQUIPMENT BE
DISCONNECTED FROM THE POWER MAINS BEFORE
CONNECTING THE FEEDLINE TO THE ANTENNA. PLEASE
CONSULT THE A.R.R.L HANDBOOK OR OTHER REFERENCE
MANUALS FOR ADDITIONAL SAFETY PROCEDURES WHEN
WORKING WITH ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
NOTE: PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE
PROCEEDING TO ASSEMBLY.
NOTE: HIGH PERFORMANCE BUTTERNUT VERTICAL ANTENNAS
REQUIRE A RADIAL SYSTEM FOR ALL INSTALLATIONS.
Butternut offers three systems for installing vertical antennas:
Model GRK Ground Radial Kit for ground mounting—160 thru 6 meter operation
Model RMK-II Roof Mounting Kit for roof mounting—80 thru 6 meter operation
Model CPK Capacitive Counterpoise Kit for compact installations below 25 ft
(7.6 m) above the earth—80 thru 6 meter operation
Please refer to TECH NOTES—GROUND/RADIAL SYSTEMS, at the end of this
instruction, for other mounting schemes and assistance in designing your own
radial system.
831 N Central Ave Wood Dale IL 60191-1219 Tel: 630.238.1183 Fax: 630.238.1186 e-mail: bencher@bencher.com http://www.bencher.com
00366IZV 100700-1-
REQUIRED TOOLS
Flat blade screwdriver and pliers. A 1/4", 11/32" and 3/8" nut driver will be helpful.
ASSEMBLY
Refer to the appropriate diagrams and proceed as follows:
Check to be sure that all parts are present.
1.
Install tube w/insulator (A) per instructions packaged with mounting system or
2.
Tech Notes Ground/Radial Systems.
NOTE: A small packet of anti-seize/anti-oxide compound (Butter-It’sNot™) will be found inside tube w/insulator (A). This compound
should be applied lightly to each tubing joint and to the inside of all
clamps that must make good electrical contact with the tubing
sections.
Locate tube (B) and tube (B1). Slide the insulator end of tube (B1) into the end of
3.
tube (B) with hole located 1/4 in (6.4 mm) from the end of the tube. Pass a # 8 x
1 1/2" screw through both parts and secure with a lock washer and hex nut.
From the center of the insulator, measure downward to a point that is 13 in (33
4.
cm) along tube (B) and make a pencil mark.
From the center of the insulator, measure upward to a point that is 9 3/8" (23.8
5.
cm) along tube (B1) and make a pencil mark.
6. Locate coil assembly 80/40 meter (C) and slide the clamp at the outer end of the
larger 80 meter coil over tube (B1), lowering the entire assembly until the middle
clamp can be positioned around the insulator between tube (B) and tube (B1).
NOTE: The middle clamp may have to be pulled open slightly to pass
the bolt that goes through tube (B1) and the insulator.
7. Position the center coil clamp of coil assembly 80/40 meter (C)
in the center of the insulator between tube (B) and tube (B1).
Pass a #10 x 1" screw through the clamp as shown. Secure
with a flat washer, lock washer and wing nut.
NOTE: The outer tab of this clamp may be bent back
slightly to provide clearance for the bolt, bending it back into place
after assembly.
8. Stretch the 40 meter (smaller) coil on the coil assembly 80/40 meter (C) until the
top of the upper clamp is even with the upper mark. Secure with a #10 flat
washer, lock washer and wing nut.
-2-
ASSEMBLY
Stretch the 80 meter (larger) coil on the coil assembly 80/40 meter (C) until the
9.
bottom of the lower clamp is even with the lower mark. Secure with a #10 flat
washer, lock washer and wing nut.
Locate the capacitor assembly 80/40 meter (D) and install capacitor bracket 80
10.
meter (D1) on the larger 200 pF capacitor using the installed screw.
NOTE: DO NOT USE EXCESSIVE FORCE OR OVER TIGHTEN THE
SCREWS ON EITHER CAPACITOR AS YOU WILL DAMAGE THEM. DO
NOT DROP THIS ASSEMBLY AS YOU MAY FRACTURE THE
CAPACITOR’S CERAMIC SHELL.
11. Locate capacitor bracket 40 meter (D2) and install on the smaller 67 pF capacitor
as above.
12. Install the above assembly onto the #10 screw protruding from the tab of the
center clamp on the coil assembly 80/40 meter (C). Align capacitor bracket 80
meter (D1) alongside the larger 80 meter coil of coil assembly 80/40 meter (C).
Secure with a #10 flat washer, lock washer and hex nut.
Attach the tab end of capacitor bracket 80 meter (D1) to tube (B) with capacitor
13.
bracket clamp and secure with # 8 x 1" screw, lock washer and a hex nut.
Attach the tab end of capacitor bracket 40 meter (D2) to tube (B1) as above.
14.
Insert the un-slotted end of tube (E) into tube (B1) and secure with a # 8 x 1 1/2"
15.
screw, lock washer and hex nut.
16. Locate coil support tube 30 meter (O) and measure to a point 9 7/8 in (25.1 cm)
down from the plastic insulator. Mark this point with a pencil.
17. Locate coil support tube 30 meter L bracket (O1) and place the tabbed end inside
of the coil support tube 30 meter (O) securing it with a # 8 x 3/4" screw, lock
washer and hex nut.
18. Place a #10 washer, lock washer and wing nut on the lower single clamp of
coil/capacitor assembly 30 meter (P).
Place a #10 washer, lock washer and hex nut on both upper clamps of
19.
coil/capacitor assembly 30 meter (P).
Pass the lower single clamp of coil/capacitor assembly 30 meter (P) over the
20.
insulator end of coil support tube 30 meter (O) and slide the coil downward along
the tube until the upper edge of the upper clamp is flush with the end of the
insulator. Align the upper clamp with the coil support tube 30 meter L bracket
(O1) and tighten the hex nut.
-3-
ASSEMBLY
Stretch the coil until the bottom of the bottom clamp on the coil/capacitor
21.
assembly 30 meter (P) is even with the mark on coil support tube 30 meter (O) and
tighten the wing nut.
Slide the remaining clamp from the above assembly over tube (E) and position it so
22.
the coil support tube L bracket (O1) is even with fourth turn, counting from the
top of the 40 meter coil on the coil assembly 80/40 meter (C) and tighten the hex
nut.
Hook the coil support tube 30 meter L bracket (O1) around the fourth turn of the
23.
40 meter coil on coil assembly 80/40 meter (C). Secure with a # 8 x 3/4" screw,
lock washer and hex nut.
Position wire clamp 0.875" 15 M w/insulator (K) around tube (F) and use a # 8 x
24.
1" screw, lock washer and hex nut finger tight.
Insert the un-slotted end of tube (G) into the slotted end of tube (F) and secure
25.
with a # 8 x 1 1/4" screw, lock washer and hex nut.
26. Locate wire clamp 0.750" 15 M w/insulator (N) and position it around tube (G).
27. Insert the un-slotted end of tube (H) into the slotted end of tube (G) and secure
with a # 8 x 1" screw, lock washer and hex nut.
28. Locate wire clamp 0.625" 15 M w/insulator (M) and position it around tube (H).
29. Insert the un-slotted end of tube (I) into the slotted end of tube (H) and secure
with a # 8 x 1" screw, lock washer and hex nut.
Position wire clamp 0.500" 15 M w/wire around tube (I) so the top edge is 13.5 in
30.
(34.3 cm) from the upper end of the tube.
Measure from the rivet of wire clamp 0.500" 15 M w/wire (L) to a point 11 ft 3 in
31.
(3.4 m) along the stranded wire and mark this point.
32. Pass the free end of the stranded wire from wire clamp 0.500" 15
M w/wire (L) through the small holes in wire clamp 0.625" 15 M
w/insulator (M) and wire clamp 0.750" 15 M w/insulator (N) as
shown.
33. Loop the end of the wire through the hole in wire clamp 0.875" 15
M w/insulator (K) sliding it on tube (F) until the mark on the wire
appears. Wind the wire back on itself. Do not cut off the excess wire.
34. Line up wire clamp 0.875" 15 M w/insulator (K), wire clamp 0.750" 15 M
w/insulator (N) and wire clamp 0.625" 15 M w/insulator (M) with wire clamp
0.500" 15 M w/wire (L) and tighten all clamps making sure the wire is moderately
taut but not enough to cause the upper tubing section to bow.
-4-
ASSEMBLY
Place the protective cap on one end of tube (J).
35.
Slide the uncapped end of tube (J) into the slotted end of tube (I) until only 25 in
36.
(63.5 cm) extends and secure with compression clamp small adjustable.
NOTE: In the following steps the antenna will be assembled and raised
to its full vertical height. If the antenna is to be installed in an elevated
position where it is unsafe or inconvenient to make in-place
adjustments, the antenna may have to be installed in one piece. It will
probably be necessary to raise and lower it and its supporting
structure a number of times to arrive at the ideal adjustment on all
bands. If so, every precaution should be observed in order to avoid
possible contact with power lines and to prevent structural failure that
can cause injury to persons or property.
37. Place the lower end of tube (B) through tube (E) over the insulator on tube (A)
w/insulator. Line up the holes and secure it with a # 8 x 2" screw, lock washer
and hex nut.
WARNING: AVOID POWER LINES!
38. Raise the assemble of tube (F) through tube (J) and slide the lower end into tube
(E) fastening it securely with a # 8 x 1 1/4" screw, lock washer and hex nut.
39. Install coax 75 ohm matching (R) as shown placing the lug from the center
conductor over the screw on tube (B) and the braid over the screw on tube
w/insulator (A).
40. Place # 8 washers over each screw and install coil (Q) base matching. Secure with
washers, lock washers and hex nuts.
NOTE: Attach radials and ground to tube w/insulator (A) using the
remaining # 8 hardware.
WARNING: MAKE SURE THAT THE STATION EQUIPMENT IS
CONNECTED TO A GOOD EARTH GROUND! DO NOT HANDLE CABLE
CONNECTED TO STATION EQUIPMENT WITHOUT FIRST
DISCONNECTING THE EQUIPMENT FROM THE POWER MAINS. YOU
COULD BE ELECTROCUTED!
41. Connect coax 75 ohm matching (R) to any length of 50-53 ohm coaxial cable.
Connector PL258 (S) is provided. Seal the connection with the small roll of
Konnector-Kote.
The dimensions and coil settings given above should produce reasonably low VSWR
readings over the entire 10, 15, 20 and 30 meter bands and over at least 250 kHz of
the 40 Meter band. Bandwidth on 80/75 meters should be at least 30 kHz for VSWR
of 2:1
CHECKOUT AND ADJUSTMENT
-5-
CHECKOUT AND ADJUSTMENT
or less at the low end of the band and may be as much as 100 kHz at the high end of
the band, depending on the efficiency of the ground system used, greater bandwidth
being associated with lossy ground systems. It should be remembered that on those
bands where the physical height of a vertical antenna is less than a quarter
wavelength, the earth (or the resonant radial system in above-ground installations) will
have a good deal to do with VSWR and antenna tuning, bandwidth and overall
performance.
Low VSWR by itself does not mean that a vertical antenna is operating efficiently, and
if low VSWR is obtained with no more than the usual quick and dirty ground
connection, it most likely means the opposite. In general, poor operation or improper
tuning of vertical antennas can usually be attributed to inadequate (or even reactive)
ground systems or to other vertical conductors in the vicinity of the antenna. For
these reasons it is suggested that the antenna be placed as much in the clear as
possible and used with the best ground system that conditions permit. For a more
complete discussion of the interrelationships between vertical antenna efficiency,
bandwidth, VSWR, etc., a standard text such as the A.R.R.L. Antenna Book is
recommended. See also the material included at the end of these instructions.
For adjustment purposes a simple VSWR indicator may be used. More accurate
measurements may be made at the antenna (i.e., at the junction of the coax 75 ohm
matching (R) and the main transmission line) than at the input end of the line, but the
tuning conditions that exist at the transmitter will usually be of greater interest in that
one's principal concern will be to couple power from the transmitter into the
transmission line.
1. Determine the frequency at which VSWR is lowest on 80/75 meters. The coil
setting given earlier should produce resonance and lowest VSWR at approximately
3700 kHz. To raise the frequency of resonance of the lowest VSWR, simply
loosen the wing nut on the lower coil clamp of the coil assembly 80/40 meter (C)
coil on tube (B) and stretch the coil a bit more. To lower the frequency, compress
the coil. A 1 in (2.5 cm) change in the setting of this coil will produce a frequency
shift of approximately 125 kHz.
NOTE: Remember that the antenna tunes very sharply in this range
and that high values of VSWR may be encountered only a few kHz
either side of the lowest VSWR readings, so it would be well to take
VSWR readings every 25 kHz or so to avoid running past the
frequency of resonance and lowest VSWR.
NOTE: To minimize interference to other stations and to avoid
erroneous reading use only enough power to produce full-scale
deflection of the meter in the forward or r.f. out position.
2. Once the proper coil setting has been found for the desired band segment, coil (Q)
base matching at the base of the antenna may be adjusted for even lower VSWR.
If earth losses are moderate to high a good match may be possible if coil (Q) base
matching is left fully compressed; if earth losses are low (as with an extensive
radial system) coil (Q) base matching may have to be stretched to twice its
compressed length or more for a good match. In any case, a single setting for coil
(Q) base
-6-
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