[Elecraft] butternut]

[David F. Reed]

RC,

I have used them in the past, and found that if you really have a good 
ground (highly conductive) or lots of radials per band, they are fairly 
good.

Otherwise, much of your RF goes into heating the ground (good for the 
worms, less good for your signal).  If you can get plenty of radials or 
have a very conductive ground (and much of Louisiana does), you will 
likely be happy with them; if not, you will be happier with a dipole or 
a long wire (and a good ground).

Of course, any antenna works better in the clear and with a good ground.

Consider what the local hams are happy with as part of the equation, and 
what their communications objectives are; local, medium distance, or DX, 
and how do their goals match yours?

On the average, antennas are the best investment a ham can make; you 
communicate better and further on average with a poor rig and a good 
antenna than with a great rig and a lousy antenna.  And, they are a 
double gain; they help both TX and RX, unlike more power.

kc5wa wrote:

> I am wondering if anyone is using  Butternut Verticals (HF6V & HF9V) 
> for their K2's at their home QTH and how effective have they been? 
> Thanks "rc" kc5wa


Sometimes I like a really simple inverted L, as high as I can get it, 
and a counterpoise, under it, grounded at both ends...

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 tuner

Its cheap, and usually works fairly good.

73 de W5SV, Dave

- 
David F. Reed  - W5SV -     cell: 512 585-1057