Butternut HF6V Instructions manual

Butternut® HF6V

80/40/30/20/15 and 10 Meters

Six-Band
Vertical Antenna

BUT-HF6V

BUT-HF6V-INS-Revision 5a

© Butternut 2022 Artists rendition of an installation
1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA
Phone: [phone] ∙ Tech Support and International: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

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Introduction

The classic Butternut® HF6V 6-band vertical antenna operates on 75/80, 40, 30, 20, 15 and 10
meters. Designed with corrosion-resistant aluminum tubing, this antenna is very durable and
attractive.

The first L/C circuit generates enough reactance to bring the whole HF6V to resonance on 80
meters allowing it to act as a 1/4-wave radiator. It also generates enough capacitive reactance to
produce another discrete resonance at about 11 MHz. The second, 40 meter L/C circuit generates
enough reactance to resonate the whole HF6V allowing it to act as a 1/4-wave radiator. In order to
minimize conductor and I²R losses an 80 and 40 meters where the antenna is physically shorter than
a 1/4-wave and thus operates with lower values of radiation resistance, large-diameter Hi-Q self­supporting inductors and low loss ceramic capacitors are employed.

Where the height of the HF6V is slightly greater than a 1/4-wave on 30 meters, an L/C series tuned
circuit taps onto the 40 meter coil for the extra inductance to pull the earlier 11 MHz secondary
resonance down to 10 MHz. At the same time, a portion of the 40 meter coil is shorted out which
allows the circuit to resonate on 30 meters The addition of this circuit also produces additional
resonances at 14 MHz and 28 MHz.

On 20 meters the entire radiator operates as a 3/8-wave vertical with much higher radiation
resistance and VSWR bandwidth than conventional or trapped antennas having a physical height of
1/4-wave or less. Because the 20 meter radiation resistance will be several times greater as that of
conventional vertical antennas, an electrical 1/4-wave section of 75 ohm coax is used as a geometric
mean transformer to match the approximate 100 ohms of feedpoint impedance on that band to a 50
ohm main transmission line of any convenient length.

The HF6V operates as a slightly extended 1/4-wave radiator on 15 meters, a 1/4-wave stub de­coupler providing practically lossless isolation of the upper half of the antenna on that band.

On 10 meters the HF6V becomes a 3/4-wave radiator with considerably greater radiation resistance
and efficiency than 1/4-wave trapped verticals.

Features

 Coverage for 80, 40, 30, 20, 15 and 10 meters
 Height is 26 feet
 Weight is only 14 pounds
 Feedpoint Impedance is a nominal 50 ohms through the included matching line
 Power handling up to 1,500 W full legal limit on 80/40/20/15/10M, 500 W PEP on 30M
 Wind load 2 ft2 (80 mph survivability - no ice)
 VSWR at resonance: 1.5 or less on all bands
 Bandwidth for VSWR 2:1 or less: 30/20/15/10M - entire band.
 Bandwidth for VSWR 2:1 or less: 140-150 kHz on 40M, 25-30 kHz on 75/80M
 Requires radial system

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WARNING!

INSTALLATION OF ANY ANTENNA NEAR POWER LINES IS DANGEROUS

Warning: Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other electric light or power

circuits, or where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installing the antenna, take
extreme care not to come into contact with such circuits, because they may cause serious injury or
death.

Overhead Power Line Safety

Before you begin working, check carefully for overhead power lines in the area you will be
working. Don't assume that wires are telephone or cable lines; check with your electric utility for
advice. Although overhead power lines may appear to be insulated, often these coverings are
intended only to protect metal wires from weather conditions and may not protect you from electric
shock. Keep your distance! As a suggestion, remember the 10-foot rule; when carrying and using
ladders and other long tools, keep them at least 10 feet away from all overhead lines - including any
lines from the power pole to your home.

There are parts made from fiberglass in this kit. Take normal precautions when handling any
fiberglass material. There may be fiberglass dust, slivers or particles present when the fiberglass
parts were manufactured. The use of typical fiberglass handling safety gear (gloves, dust mask, eye
shield, clothing, etc.) when handling and working with fiberglass is recommended. Use a damp rag
to wipe the parts. Do not use compressed air to clean fiberglass parts. Measures can be taken to
reduce exposure after a person has come in contact with fiberglass. Eyes should be flushed with
water and any area of exposed skin should be washed with soap and warm water to remove fibers.
Clothing worn while working with fiberglass should be removed and washed separately from other
clothing. The washing machine should be rinsed thoroughly after the exposed clothing has been
washed. Check with your local or state safety and/or environmental agencies for more detailed
precautions.

Tools Required

Straight Slot Screwdriver
Phillips Head Screwdriver

1/4” Nut Driver or socket set
11/32” Nut Driver or socket set
3/8” Nut Driver or socket set

Tape measure
Pencil

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Additional Material Needed But Not Supplied

JTL-12555 Jet Lube SS-30 Anti-Oxidant Corrosion Inhibiting Lubricant
ERO-611360 Ground Rod installed near base of the antenna
DXE-RADW-32RT or 65RT Radial Wires
DXE-RADP-3P Radial Plate
DXE-UHF-FDFB-KIT SecureMount Double SO-39 Connector for the Radial Plate

Guying Kit for Vertical Antennas - Some vertical antenna manufacturers indicate their antennas

do not need guying. During times of high winds or ice loading, some of these vertical antennas may
sustain damage or fail altogether. With the small amount of effort needed to install a four point
guying system, the risk hardly seems worth taking. A four-point guying scheme provides the best
mechanical advantage to reduce wind stress, regardless of direction. Information on guying the
Butternut® HF6V is included in this manual. Information on guying the Butternut® HF6V can be
found in the section “Guying the HF6V Antenna”.

BUT-GRK Ground Radial Kit for ground mounting - 80 through 6 meter operation

Site Selection

Ideally, select a mounting location clear from power lines, structures and other antennas by a
minimum of 35 feet. Consider overhead power lines, utility cables and wires. The vertical should
be mounted away from local noise sources or other metallic objects which can re-radiate noise and
affect the tuning, radiation pattern and SWR. Determine the direction you want the antenna to tilt
down and make sure there is adequate clearance (at least 35 feet). There should also be a clear
diameter of 65 to 130 feet from the antenna for the guying and radial systems that will extend away
from the antenna. As with all Amateur Radio antennas there maybe compromises and the ideal site
may not be available.

Mounting Tube (A) Installation

When the bottom tube with insulator (A) is ground mounted, it should be protected against
corrosion if placed in concrete, damp acidic or alkaline soil. Asphalt roofing compound,
polyurethane varnish or other sealant that protects against moisture may be used. Concrete may be
used in areas of high winds for greater strength, in which case the post may be twisted slightly
during setting for easy removal later. Ensure it is not mounted at an angle. You want the antenna to
be vertical when fully installed. To help maintain the antenna base, place a larger diameter metal
tube, such as the BUT-MPS Mounting Post Sleeve in the ground, then you can
slip tube w/insulator (A) in and it will be protected from direct contact with the
concrete.

Tube with insulator (A) must be installed in a hole approximately 21 inches deep
so that the upper end of the fiberglass insulator is approximately 7 inches above
ground level. Pack earth tightly around tube w/insulator (A) so that it remains

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vertical. When installed, you want the top of tube A at 2-3 inches or less above ground level to
keep the feedpoint below 5” above ground level.

NOTE: HAMMERING TUBE W/INSULATOR (A) INTO THE EARTH MAY CAUSE THE
INSULATOR TO SPLINTER. If the post must be hammered into the earth, protect the end of the
insulator with a block of wood

NOTE: DO NOT USE U-BOLTS TO ATTACH TUBE W/INSULATOR (A) WITHOUT ADDED
PROTECTION. U-BOLTS WILL EVENTUALLY CUT INTO THE TUBING AND WEAKEN
THE INSTALLATION. If U-bolts are used, place a larger diameter metal tube, such as the BUT-

MPS Mounting Post Sleeve over tube w/insulator (A).

Radial System

The use of a radial system is a key requirement for any high performance quarter wave vertical
antenna system. With any vertical antenna system, the radials are the second half of the

antenna. The radials contribute to the radiation efficiency of the entire vertical antenna
system.

The exact number of radials required for low SWR and reasonably efficient operation will depend
in large measure on local earth conductivity, and this may vary considerably from one place to the
next and from one frequency band to the next. For most installations the soil conditions will be
poor to very poor when it comes to conductivity.

The best procedure is to assume that most earth is a poor conductor over the HF range and that
some radial wires will be needed. Radials may be placed on the surface of the earth or buried
slightly below the surface to get them out of the way, and their length is largely a matter of
convenience. In general, a large number of short radials are preferable to a small number of longer
radials for a given amount of wire, especially if fewer than a dozen radials are to be used. Unlike
resonant radials that must be cut to the proper lengths for use with elevated verticals, ground-level
radials need not to be cut to any particular length; their sole purpose is to provide less lossy return
paths for currents flowing along the earth than the earth itself can provide. And, since "return"
currents will be flowing back to the antenna from all points of the compass, the radial wires should
be spaced uniformly over 360 degrees, although physical
circumstances will often make this "ideal" distribution
impossible.

For the best performance on 80 and 40 meters with this
antenna, installing 30 to 60 radials each 65 feet long is
highly recommended. At a minimum, 20 radials each 32 feet
long may be used with this antenna. But, installing many
more radials helps overcome unknown poor soil conditions,
improves efficiency and ensures the best performance
possible from this Butternut vertical antenna. Radial Wire
that is 14 gauge stranded copper with black relaxed PVC
insulation wire is suggested for longevity. DXE-RADW-

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32RT or 65RT Radial Wire Kits are available..

The wire radials should be placed as symmetrically as possible straight from the feedpoint around
the vertical antenna and spaced evenly, regardless of how many radials are used. Do not cross or
bunch any radial wires as this nullifies their effectiveness. If you have limited space, put in as many
straight radials as you can. The radials must be connected to the shield of your feedline. A Stainless
Steel Radial Plate is the ideal optional item which provides an excellent system for attaching radial
wires to your vertical antenna system.

Radial wires can be laid on the roots of the grass or on bare ground using Radial Wire Anchor Pins
to hold them down. Using enough staples will ensure the wires will not be snagged by mowers,
people, or animals. Depending on where you live and the type of grass you have, grass will quickly
overgrow the radials and it will be virtually impossible to see them. Radials can also be buried just
under the surface (approximately 1” - anything deeper and you will start losing effectiveness) by
using a power edger to make a slit in the soil.

NOTE: The function of a ground rod is to place the antenna at D.C. ground potential. It cannot
take the place of an effective RF ground system, such as a number of radial wires, regardless of its
depth in the earth. It does, however, serve as a convenient tie-point for such radials, as does the bolt
through mounting post w/insulator (A) to which radials can be connected by means of the remaining
#8 hardware.

The Optional Radial Plate

A stainless steel Radial Plate is an ideal option for
the radial system that is needed for the Butternut®
HF6V vertical antenna. The radial plate can be set
on the ground. When the antenna is installed, run a
short piece of copper strap from the radial plate to
the lower connection of coil Q mounted on tube
(A) of the HF6V or the optional BUT-MPS
Mounting Post Sleeve. In either case, a ground
wire attachment from the lower tube (A) to the
Radial Plate should be made to ensure a good RF
connection.

Radial Plate shown installed.

Note: The DXE-RADP-3 has a mounting area for a dual SO-239. This is NOT used for the
Butternut HF Verticals because of the matching 20 meter 75 ohm coax cable that is used. Leave the
mounting hole blank.

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Aluminum Tubing Information

When assembling any telescoping aluminum tubing sections you should take the following steps:

1. Make sure the edges are smooth and not sharp. Deburring may be necessary, since burrs and
shavings can occur on seams as well as edges. All surfaces need to be completely smooth to
allow easy assembly of tubing sections.

Caution

Aluminum tubing edges can be very sharp.

Take precautions to ensure you do not get accidentally cut.

The raised particles and shavings that appear when the aluminum tubing is machined are
referred to as burrs, and the process by which they are removed is known as deburring.

The aluminum tubing supplied with this antenna is machine cut on both ends. You should

further assure that there are no ragged edges or protrusions.

2. Clean the inside of the aluminum tubing to clear out any dirt or foreign material that would
cause the aluminum tubing sections to bind during assembly. Do not use any type of oil or
general lubricant between the aluminum tubing sections. Oils or general lubricants can cause
poor electrical connections for radio frequencies.

3. Clean the outside of the aluminum tubing to clear any dirt or foreign material that would cause
the clamps to malfunction during assembly.

4. The use of Jet-Lube™ SS-30 Pure Copper Anti-Seize is highly recommended. Jet-Lube™ SS­30 is an electrical joint compound which effects a substantial electrical connection between
metal parts such as telescoping aluminum tubing or other antenna pieces. Using Jet-Lube™ SS­30 assures high conductivity at all voltage levels by displacing moisture and preventing
corrosion or oxidation.

5. When assembling the aluminum tubing sections, ensure the area is clear of grass, dirt or other
foreign material that could cause problems during assembly of the closely fitted telescoping
sections.

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Assembly

Note: For reference purposes, a completed HF6V Antenna is shown at the end of this

manual following the complete detailed parts list.

Note: Jet-Lube™ SS-30 Anti-Oxidant should be used between all antenna element sections.

Jet-Lube™ SS-30 is an electrical joint compound to affect a substantial electrical
connection between metal parts such as telescoping aluminum tubing or other
antenna pieces. It ensures high conductivity at all voltage levels by displacing
moisture and preventing corrosion or oxidation.

Jet-Lube™ SS-30 should also be used on all coil clamps, element clamps, bolts and

stainless steel threaded hardware to provide good electrical contact, prevent galling,
allowing easier disassembly and to ensure proper tightening.

1. Check to be sure that no parts are missing (see assembled antenna pictorial page)

2. If the antenna is to be installed at ground level, plant mounting tube (A) in a hole approximately
21 inches deep so the upper end of the fiber rod insulator (feedpoint connection) is
approximately 3 inches or less above ground level. Ensure it is not installed at an angle. You
want the antenna to be vertical when fully assembled.

Pack earth tightly around mounting tube (A) so that it will remain vertical. Concrete may be

used in areas of high wind for greater rigidity, in which case the mounting tube should be
rotated while the concrete is setting so that it may be easily removed later. If the antenna is to be
mounted in concrete or in damp, acidic or alkaline soil, the
mounting tube should be given a protective coating of asphalt
roofing compound, polyurethane varnish, or another suitable
covering to protect the metal against corrosion. You may also
want to use the optional BUT-MPS Mounting Post Sleeve which
fits over tube (A) to help protect it from contamination.

NOTE: DO NOT HAMMER THE MOUNTING POST INTO THE GROUND AS THIS

CAN SPLINTER THE FIBER ROD INSULATOR AND COMPLICATE
INSTALLATION.

Note: Step 3 starts the antenna assembly minus Tube A (with insulator). The antenna assembly

will be mated to tube (A) when ready to be installed for final assembly steps. In all subsequent

steps, assembly should be done indoors or in an area where dropped hardware may easily be
recovered.