Fine tuning your Multiband Hustler Vertical

I just recently purchased a Hustler 5BTV and mounted it on the ground and set the antenna for all the preset adjust ments for the A,B,C and D adjustments, but I noticed the (Standing Wave Ratio) SWR on 15 and 20 meters was not exceptable, as a matter of fact the SWR was indicating on my SWR analyzer that the resonate frequency was below the ham bands by about 200 KHZ plus I had to add another 200KHZ to the frequency for an overall move of the total operating range of 400 KHZ.

So I set out to find out what was wrong. then I installed all the radials 2 per band as the instructions had indicated the minimum for the ground mount installation was. And found that all this did was make the SWR even lower around 1.1 to 1, but still the resonate frequency was still below the ham bands on 15 and 20 meters.

The Fix for the problem

So I chatted with one of the members of the group that I talk with on 40 meters at nightly and he had encountered the very same problem with his antenna. And he was told you need to move the trap housing to adjust the resonate frequency. This made all the difference in the world, the antenna now has a 1.1 to 1 SWR where I want it.

I do not suggest that you do this unless you have a MFJ SWR Analyzer to do this operation because the resonate frequency could be very well be outside of the ham bands!

Heres what to do!

1. Figure out where the resonate frequency is on all bands. Make yourself a chart and record all band frequencies where the swr drops to the lowest.

For example:

80=3.535
40=7.145
20=13.800
15=20.800
10=27.800

2. You must start with the 10 meters first and adjust it where you want it. Because it is the first trap on the antenna.

3. I first moved the trap cover by loosing the clamp on the bottom of the trap, then moved it up first and found that the resonate frequency went further down in frequency the wrong way. So I moved the trap cover down in very small movementa, and I mean small movements because the resonate frequency changes very fast.

When doing these adjustments you must start with 10 meters and work your way up the antenna. The next band would be 15 then 20 then 40 and last but not least 80 meters. All final adjustments must be made the each band as you work your way up the antenna, beacuse if you don’t like the way 10meters is adjusted and you are working on 20 meters. Any adjustment you make to 10 meters will effect the 15, 20, and 40 meters.

Article Bu N8ITF Page orignially available at home.comcast.net/~n8itf/hustler.htm