[Hallicrafters] Hustler 6BTV: IT LIVES !

[Phil Atchley]

Hello
First, for the benefit of some of those on the Halli list that asked me to
notify them of what I found, I am posting to the list.  To prevent
Hallicrafters list clutter please reply direct to me.

Today Don, W6LRG, came over and we pulled the Hustler 6BTV down (I did all
the on roof work).  An inspection of the antenna proper showed that the 20
Meter Trap cover had indeed slid down about 1/8th to 1/4th of an inch,
probably from the downward pressure of the nylon guy cords (guyed at the 20
Meter trap per Hustler's diarections).  This was  promptly corrected.  All
other joints looked good as all the tubing joints had been secured by the
stainless hose clamps AND a setscrew.


Examination of the coax disclosed excessive deteriation of the outer jacket,
probably due to a combination of UV, Heat from laying on the steel roof in
San Juaquin Valley heat etc.  It was good quality RG3X (not Belden) 95%
copper shield with grey outer jacket.  The end had been well sealed where it
was split for the crimp-on (and soldered) fastening rings, but cutting the
first couple of inches of jacket off disclosed GREEN copper braid.  So
moisture had gotten in somehow.

The Nylon twine that had been used for guy wires (as it's insulated well)
was still good and strong when taken down after 2 1/2 years of weather
exposure.  These guys don't get a lot of work to do as their only job is to
prevent the antenna from swaying in the wind and weakening itself.  Of
course I put new guys up.  I didn't have an insulated guy ring as suggested
by one member (and no place to get one locally).

After replacing the coax with new stuff, cleaning and securing all three
ground staps (4 inches long) where it grounds to the roof we ran an SWR
check.  The antenna was close to where it had been 2 1/2 years ago when
first put up, though the whole thing is tuned a 'little' lower than it had
been.  Before I had the 40M tuned to the CW portion and the remaining in the
Phone portion of the bands.  They are mostly all best in the CW parts now.
BUT, 15M, which has NEVER been really good on this installation now gives a
1.6/1 at 21.309.  I'm going to leave it tuned as it is as this thing was a
REAL pain to tune the last time we did it!

ALSO:  The SEVERE BCB IMD that I was seeing at 4.00 MHz is now gone!  I had
a jumble from the local BCB stations dead on 4.00 MHZ and in other parts of
the tropical broadcast bands.  Something in the antenna was acting as a
diode!  That occurred ONLY when using the vertical as the sloper antenna is
"clean".  So I knew it was not receiver related.

One final note.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous for antenna work.
Probably in the mid to high 60's with no wind.  It had been forecast to be
cold and very windy.

I'm a happy camper.

73 de Phil  KO6BB
DX begins at the Noise Floor!
ko6bb at elite.net
Merced, Central California
37.18N  120.29W CM97sh



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