[Antennas] Vertical Comparisons

[windy10605@juno.com]

I'd be interested in that comparison also ....or Butternut to any
other vertical. I have a HF6V I just put up with radials 20ft off 
the ground to clear a building and some trees and am still tuning 
it. It has two radial "cages" using pieces of 4-1/2" PVC as
spacers for 80/40/20/15/10 and two additional radials for 40 
and 20. The radials are tuned up nicely but I haven't checked the 
dimensions on the vertical (bought it used). 

I think the main problem with antenna comparisons is "leveling
the playing field". A comparison of a vertical on the ground vs
one in the air, or with 2 radials vs 20 radials, properly tuned vs
using a tuner, new connections vs weathered connections, etc 
....all affects the outcome.

First indications are that the SWR is a little off (nice dip but at 
the high end of the bands) and seems to vary on 20m (might be a 
loose connection). I have observed that the coils are very fragile
when bumped against limbs and deform easily (but are easily 
reformed). The antenna also sways a lot in the wind, even with 
the radial "guy wires". The Butternut was chosen because it uses
the whole 26ft pole for 80/40/20/10 and therefore has a good 
high radiation resistance which affects radiation efficiency. Also 
the "Q" of those Butternut coils can't be touched by others.

73  Kees K5BCQ