I just salvaged a Hustler 6BTV antenna. It had been on a devastated barn for decades. I went to the old barn after a heavy storm, rather in the hopes that the old antenna finally blew down. It had finally been blown off the rotted barn and fell to the ground. The antenna looks spotless clean, not bent, and still usable. It even has the folding base that was installed on the barn. I disassembled the antenna, which has all stainless steel hardware, and brought it home. This may make an amateur radio operator of me yet. If parts, radios, components, and requests to repair radios and equipment, I may not have a choice. I am going to have to get a license.
Thank-you I was planning on using 3/8 threaded rod and also a 4 magnet mount instead of a three. Not sure what the effect would be as fare as ground plane and resonance.
The original mast, which is 54 inches long, is the current portion of the antenna. The current portion does the most radiating. You just got rid of the most important part of the antenna. Sure you will make contacts without it, but the performance is now way down. One of the best places to place a coil on an antenna is from 50 to 66% of the way up from the feed point. That goes for any vertical antenna. Take a look in the ARRL Antenna Book and it shows same.
I just accessed this video about a month after I mounted a Hustler 40 on top of a 20-foot mast. I use the mast as the feedpoint for my G5RV. The Hustler works great, although it is a bit noisy. I also bought a 3/8 x 24 bolt and cut off the end. I then mounted a standard CB mirror mount on top of the mast and attached the Hustler to that. I stretched out a few radials for it too. By the way, love your very well presented videos. I love your precise and clear way of presenting the subject. Thanks much, N8KET
I put my Hustler 40 meter with the tall whip on a single Hustler magnet and I get excellent SWR on the roof of my Jeep. From 7.040 to 7.060 my SWR stays below 1.5 and at 7.050 is around 1.2. If I wish to go above or below that range I do need to adjust the top whip. Of course my setup is not for driving down the road. Even that strong single magnet would probably topple over at 30 mph or less. This setup is for stationary or creeping slowly around a parking lot only. Great video, and I agree, this antenna is fantastic and not talked about enough for portable and mobile use.
I picked up a set of Hustler resonators at an estate sale and was trying to figure out a solution for mounting them. I found a brass 3/4x24 male to male connector for over $12 on an online retailer and thought the price ridiculous. Thanks for confirming the simple solution to joining the two female ends together so I can stop over thinking this issue and get on the air.
Great video. I use Hustlers in 10,17,20,40&80 meter on my truck here in the U.S. They've gotten 50 countries and my WAS from the mobile. Couldn't be happier with Hustler resonators. Thanks for the great content. AD6DB
I've been using Hustler resonators on 14mc and 7mc for close to 40 years. I've earned WAS and WAC using them. Granted, a three element beam on a 100 foot tower would have been better; but for whatever it's worth, the Hustler resonator got through--and that's what it's all about in communication.
Now that has sparked a idea in my brain cell, I have a old hustler loading Coil/ resonator, some 3/8th rod and my all terrain mobility scooter that will keep me occupied for a while lol thanks for the idea 😃
Interesting subject. You are correct in stating that the lower half of the centre loaded whip has minimum effect upon resonance, but it does materially adversely affect the current distribution of the antenna. The "Hustler" loading coils violate all rules of loading coil construction. The wire gauge is too small & the turns are close wound, adversely affecting the losses & contributing to self resonance. The two greatest faults are that the coil form dissipates RF energy. Its material absorbs RF & lowers the "Q" of the coil. Secondly, if the "SUPER" resonators are used, especially the 75/80 metre coils, the end bells are plated brass & are in the immediate field of the coil, reducing the "Q" significantly. My personal opinion is that the manufacturer , being aware of the mania for 1:1 SWR amongst radio hams, deliberately used an inferior coil form that contributed a loss resistance in series with the antenna that exhibited a wider low SWR bandwidth, at the expense of radiated power. The power loss is great enough that I have seen the white jacket around the coil melt after a transmission of a couple of minutes from a 100 watt transmitter. All of that being said, thousands of QSO's have been made using Hustler antennas, but the same can be said for 100 watts & a wire ! Also, Hustler made two popular "masts". The MO-1 & the MO-2 if memory serves. One was a fold over mast with a sliding sleeve to allow a hinge to be locked & unlocked to hold the antenna vertical , or to allow it to be folded 90 degrees, so that it sat horizontal & was below the roof line of the vehicle. The other mast was shorter & was a solid aluminium shaft about 1/2 inch in diameter. The fold over was the same diameter, but the hinge joint became "sloppy" with use, & required a piece of woven metallic braid to be affixed above & below the hinge to maintain electrical integrity. Otherwise, the antenna would become electrically intermittent because of vibration & you know what happens to transistors when the load suddenly "breaks & makes". In either case the aluminium masts were subject to corrosion, & were extremely prone to breakage, mostly caused, I believe, by "work hardening" owing to the flexing of the mast while the vehicle was in motion. After losing two "three resonator arrays" from masts breaking while driving on "motorways" , I rid myself of all Hustler mobile bits & pieces. I do allow that our Canadian roads do impose severe operating environments that test the "mettle" of antenna installations. The Hustler multi band verticals are excellent products & I still own several. I enjoyed your video, & especially the home made "3/8 X 24 " coupling stud made from a bolt. I personally would have recommended a grade 8 bolt for that type of service. Thank you for the video. Cheers! Brian Hind VE6XX/VE7CRA
As always, I learn something every time that I watch your videos. I am a Texan and have been using Hustler antennas since 1972 both in the base and mobile configuration. None of the dealers during that range of time explained as much about Hustler resonators as you have. Thank you. AF5U
You are right what you say about the ‘lower mast sections’ not making too much difference. I use my 80m ‘super’ resonator from my 6BTV for occasional station mobile use. I also use the couple inch stud from it too. Same with the Ampro 160 where the bit under the coil makes limited difference to the SWR. In both cases however, the top whip needs mega-fine adjustment and gives 10-30 kHz bandwidth (80 and 160). As you point out, the lower section DOES IMPROVE the RADIATION PATTERN and I get better results with it than without it (but can’t drive along with the lower mast in place so I only use parked up).
Peter, thank you for covering the Hustler mobile antenna systems. I use these resonator coils in both home station and field portable operations with great success. I've placed pairs of resonators on an "dipole maker" mount on top of a tripod/mast setup and fed them unbalanced with a common mode choke at the feed point or balanced, via a 1:1 current balun. Both methods work well. Using the longer Hustler masts leads to some amount of "sag", but the shorter masts avoid this. I will be trying available steel masts in the near future. Home or portable this is a great way to get on the air if physical space or local restrictions are an issue. Using the Hustler resonators in this way has been, for me, a good solution. 73' de Chris W6NOB DM14ei Wrightwood CA USA
@@AndrewMurphy8383 I mount my two resonators on a pair of 36" stainless steel 3/8-24 TPI masts which are mounted in a commonly available "dipole maker mount" which is mounted on a telescopic mast and tripod set up. I bought my dipole maker mount and resonators from DX Engineering. The stainless 3/8-24 TPI masts came from Walcott Radio in Iowa. They list the masts as "antenna shafts". I hope this helps. 73' de Chris W6NOB
@@christopherwilliams9936 I USE A OLD SCHOOL CB to mount mine but it seems that it was missing radials hopefully the two ground radials i made this moring will work
Hi Karen, being curious.. Did it work, did you get a reasonable SWR ? It looks to good to be true because if it works as good as Peter says wouldn't Hustler do it themselves? Would like to read your findings, 73 de PD1ECA, Rob
I have an 80 meter Hustler resonator that went on top of my Hustler 4BTV antenna, I switched it to a different contraption with capacitance elements on top and bottom of a long coil. Both worked, but had narrow bandwidth. In the end, I added an 80 meter 1/4 wave wire offset from the 4BTV, as well as a 160 meter 1/4 wave wire to get top band! I am going to make a vertical antenna with a Rohn tower, hopefully this summer!
The choke on another video was a good idea. I have a 20 and 10 with no issue. I have a 15 that dips in 15 but very high swr. I am going to try a Choke on that. Thanks for the videos.
Hi Peter thanks for the video; I have used the Hustler Whips range for Mobile and Portable by using the 3/8" to PL-259 adapter which plugs straight into my roof bar anntena mount which I purchased from you at Hamfest 2 years ago, it usually has my 2/70 dual band whip in it so you have many options. I also have a large single mag mount for static /P work which has the 3/8" ready to accept the Hustler Whips, pleased to say it all works well. Keep the vidoes coming!
Great...I agree the Hustler is not that popular because they do not advertise or no one reviews it on RU-vid. I use the Hustler 20M on and off for 15 years. I do use the base mast onto a mag mount to the trunk. You can also use it as a vertical on a pole with a "jaw mount" type of attachment. They do work very very well....Hustler also has an adaptor to put 3 coils on so you dont have to change when you change bands.
Early 80's I had a 2M Hustler that had a centre loading coil... It was about 8' long, It was amazing on 2.. But as a bonus it also worked really well on 10M
It still appears to be available in the USA @ $50... "Hustler CG-144 Mobile Collinear" ~ It is a Phased 5/8 wavelength over 1/4 wave It is 85" ~ 7' 1" or 2.16M, so I exaggerated it's not 8' :) Here's a comment from 2015 on eHam review... >>> "Now here is the odd part- it loads and tunes perfectly on 10 meters- 50 ohms at 1.1 swr.
Nice review, I was looking for a comet but I see this one so cheap and I decide to see if a look for any reference first. I don’t know what to do but when I see the specification it’s almost the same.
Using for awhile Hustler 10s Resonator on Hustler 54 inch Mast with 5.5 inch 3/8 Magnetic Mount on stationary car. I use this setup from local highest elevation (German Hill) with great success on 10 meter Net and 6 Meter Net Nights ; ) The Hustler 54 inch Mast by Design doubles as 6 Meter Antenna. I also used Hustler Quick Disconnect and Spring to lengthen 6 Meter Mast to lower frequency Resonance (50.135) Works like a Charm ; ) As you say Mast and Disconnect and Spring has little effect on 10s Resonator which is tuned by set screw upper whip adjustment. That said the 10s Resonator is "Designed" to work "Optimal" on of Hustler 54 inch Mast ; )
Nice explanation from experience PETER!!! TNX. YES,it is almost necessary to avoid bad SWR & bad mood for a correct work, Triple Magnetic Mount (I have Watson-W300S). I have a bunch of Hustler resonators and from Diamond HF CL family from 40m to 10m band for mobile operation. Incredible good DX-ing, simple,quality made!!! The only thing is to have adaptor PL to 3/8 for 10€.
I had not thought of using it flat on the roof like that. Interesting. I knew the mast length was mostly irrelevant since the resonator fits on two mobile masts up to 52 inches and on top of the 4BTV (to make it 5BTV). You can also put them on top of a BuddiStick antenna, just don't use the base coil. In the 80's I used a lot of the Hustler resonators on my mobile, yes bumper mount, LOL. I had two of them with three elements each with a "spider" adapter and an antenna switch in the front of the car. The only antenna I really like better is the screwdriver. I also saw another video where you used a small box with an isolation balun inside to hold your resonator. Of course, to a limit, the longer the mast, the better your signal will be, but for space restrictions, you have a real winner there!
Excellent presentation. I used to run a full size Hustler mast on an MGB. I had a ball mount on the car and resonators for all bands, 80 through 10. You just have to be willing to drill some holes in the car ;-)
Great video as always. Why not chuck a ready cut bolt into the package when you dispatch a Hustler. Very nostalgic to see that mighty icon of 50s/60s Ham Radio heritage in the background. Wonder how many modern licensees would recognise the famous R1155?
My friend... how is this different than modern antennas using same layout...? An 11 meter example is in Wilson’s 5000 series - the coil can be placed either mid-section, or bottom section depending on which bottom shaft you choose, and where you want to maximize resonance based on a vehicles available ground plane (both size shafts are included). I have a Quad mag mount and for the SUV, I use the short shaft coil version. For the Semi however, I use the longer bottom shaft for maximum resonance higher up for the lower quality ground plane. As a ham, we use similar layouts for 40 meters. All mounts are 3/8... just curious...? Excellent video nonetheless!
I use the 80m Hustler on my mobile but like you I park up and transmit. Never thought to take the bottom shaft out of the equation so will give that a try. I would imagine I might need to lengthen the top whip part to get the resonate spot I usually use with the full whip.
The "apartment" or "flat" with a balcony dwelling operator, depending on how the structure of the balcony, all of the Hustler radiators can be mounted to and used for base station HF. I've had success with them and still have "Hustler Collection" I like to call it. However, maybe I've become lazy but I've found another set up at which I can (from an apartment/flat w/a balcony), that I can work all the bands available to a General Class without having to go out and swap our resonators, mostly because I've become willfully and intentionally lazy.
I have just taken delivery of 2 Hustler antenna's, a 20 and 40. These I will mount using stake hole mounting brackets on the rear of my truck. I will be using the lower sections for both. I also bought quick release mounting studs which will allow me to quickly remove the antenna's when putting the vehicle in the garage or passing under a low barrier. I'm hoping to have this all done by Field Day this year.
A couple of years ago I purchased a Hustler HF Mobile antenna with lower mast and 80, 40 & 20 Meter Resonators for $75. I thought that was an excellent deal! I mounted half of a mirror mount onto the inside back corner of my pickup truck bed. It works very well for what it is. I found a problem with this setup. Even with only the lower mast in use for reception, I had to be careful of the clearance while going under obstacles. I heard that it’s possible to successfully use only the resonators screwed directly into the mount. I had in mind that I would have to get a 3/8” threaded stud to make it work. The bolt idea sounds much more ideal. I wasn’t sure how well the performance would work out though. The 20 Meter Resonator works well while traveling down the road. I wasn’t sure about the stability of the antenna with 40 or 80 Meter Resonators though. Thus being another reason for giving this idea a shot. Thank you very much for this video!
Hi Peter, really like watching your videos. Thank you for the great effort in putting these together. I spotted a typo 3.10 minutes into this video. It relates to a Loafing coil. best wishes 73'S
How well will an 80-meter resonator work without a mast on mobile? I have a Diamond lift mount, mounted 15" below the roof, and using Hamsticks am getting surprisingly good results on 20M, and good results on 40M. My 80M hamstick isn't getting good results, not surprisingly, despite a 1:1 SWR. If I use only the 80M Hustler resonator as you've described, or lengthen it by adding a spring and 9" mast that I have on hand, will I get a workable efficiency? I have a bug catcher base load coil I can add as well.
I have a collection of RM super resonators here with masts must dig them out and try your method....these are not easy to get hold of here in the Uk....enjoying you videos keep them up 73 Mike 2E0IKM 👍
So I tried using a SS bolt cut down to mount the 20m resonator on my 3 magnet mount. It would not tune for me. I tried my 15m resonator. Then I tried my 10m resonator. It tuned but only in the lower part, 28-28.9mhz. So then I tried using the 4 band adapter and mounted my 10.,15,,20 & 40m resonators. Now the 20m would tune, along with all the others and even the 10m allowed me to tune the upper band where I operate. Any ideas why there is so much variance in the ability to tine when multiple resonators are use?
You need to use the short mast MO4 with the Antenna. So you use the 3 Magnet Mount, a Spring, the MO4 short mast, and then the Coil of your choosing. Just above the MO4, I use the Hustler QD-2 Quick Disconnect, and then choose which coil to use. I use for POTA as well as Mobile 73, DE K4KAL
You could also put a spring in there also. you may need another stud! I don't remember if the spring comes with a stud. A spring may not be needed just putting in that there are springs for the 3/8 stud if someone wanted one.
I have a ball mount on my 2017 ram 1500 the lower part of the rear fender, inside the fender is an icom AH-4 random wire tuner I use this 80 and 40m NVIS for search and rescue.
If you don't want to file or even after filing run the nut from the "good" end all along and OFF the "bad" end and that will "clean" the thread for the nut or the antenna....
made a contact 3191 miles on 20m band with this antenna yesterday to Trinidad /Tobago I do use the full antenna with the lower section though. have the 80,40,20,17,15,12, and homemade 10 and 6m sections. 73 KE0HMS
Thanks for video Peter. In the UK, I suspect mag-mounts with SO-239 sockets are maybe more popular than the 3/8 inch type. You can get PL-259 to 3/8 inch socket adapters that might allow this Hustler antenna with your 3/8 stud modification to be attached to an SO-239 mag mount (or gutter mount). I just wonder if anyone has tried this? BTW, was that an 1155 I saw on your workbench?
I have two SO239 mounts on the roof bars on my car as I have found them easier to use than the 3/8 mounts and gives an outlet from the radios in the car when going /P with a portable mast. Already use the 40m Hustler with an adapter and just got the 80m resonator to go with it. Might try turning and threading some spare copper earth rod I have instead of getting the MO3 mast thingy to see how that works.
Thanks for the video. A three magnetic on the roof of a car must be difficult to remove without scratching the automobile paint! What has been your experience? Thank you for your kindness and patience.
Good video, but you need to be aware of the thread needed on the bolt. Ironmongery in UK these days is almost exclusively metric, the nearest being 10/11mm for a 3/8 bolt. The thread of course is much different. The 3/8 fitting on the dv27 CB whips &c, which has been used universally for mobile antennas has a unified thread and it will save a lot of heartache if that is specified prior to purchase.
Thanks for the observation Peter, UNF bolts can be purchased on line but you will be lucky to find one in the local Wickes or B&Q. Enjoyed the video, its exactly what I have done with several whips over the years. 73, Simon Pryce G0EIY
I have a set of Hustler coils and whips all pre-tuned for my Jeep mobile rig, 75m, 40m, 20m and 15m, which are easy to change out according to which band I decide to operate. The tri-mag base never moves regardless of speed or which coil is in place. 73! Ken, KO4AXN
Better still go buy 3/8" threaded rod. Better still get brass threaded rod. Trouble with cars these day they have plastic bumpers, no gutter mounts and Mag-mounts scratch the crap paint they put on cars these days. I have a two bar so it might be an option to run a steel bar from there up and a mount for the antenna on the end. But it will always get in the way! Can't win, no mater what you do there is a problem. I used to have a 9ft antenna off the back of the car, till one day I went into a multi story car park and I heard a lot of noise behind me and looked in my rear mirror to find the car park in darkness, then there was another bang and I just saw something fall as it went into darkness! Yes, you guessed it, I took out all the strip lights for the length of the car park. i forgot I had the antenna up as I had turned off the CB so I could put it away and no one saw me using one as I went into the car park. A lot were getting stolen at the time. I heard this voice away in the distance shouting, I quickly stopped, unclipped the antenna and drove round and out the car park before jobs worth caught up with me. The antenna was on a quick release bayonet connector, so I made my escape quickly. That is why it is so expansive to park there, they had to replace all the lights that I accidental broke! :-(( Oh dear, i just gave my identity away!!!
Absolutamente en desacuerdo. Esta antena funciona con el palo MO-01, yo he probado sin Mo-01 y la diferencia es muy importante. Mucho. La antena es un dipolo. Cuando tienes un dipolo que es mas corto que el espacio que necesitas, le pones una bobina que alarga la antena. Así se hacen. La otra rama del dipolo es ground. Uso esta antena con sus accesorios y tres bobinas de carga desde hace mucho con gran exito- Gracias.
Hi great video can I ask please, I have the same heavy 3 magnet magmount that you show in the video, my question is about bonding the antenna is it nessasery?? And what is your opinion about using 3 radials coming off the magmount please Ei4eqb
Hustler also makes a short mast that can be used when roof mounting. I made my own from 1/2" diameter Stainless Steel and machined each end down and threaded it to 3/8" UNF thread. I then use a 4" hustler SS spring on top of that and then the resonator. They sell the short mast as a kit that comes with replacement whips for the top that are longer to make up for the shorter lower mast. This configuration works very well for me. I mostly run 40M when mobile using a Kenwood TS120S. I have also built a home brew hands free mic set up that I can use between my TS120 and my Kenwood 2M mobile rig. You can see the entire set up here. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yYZnfQiC2xE.html
I just tried the Hustler Resonator for 40m, and it's very cool. The only quark is to resonate it. When I used the SWR meter, I found the right spot. The moment I used the IC705's built-in SWR meter, it was off by 200kHz or so. Why? So fussy.
@@miker8379 did you try the shark brand I just bought two for 20m n thare part to make a dipole Cheaper than mfj n seem to b better made n made in the USA 73 n9prf Joe n good dx
Well.. am I so happy to watch your Video! I acquired this weird looking device along with some vintage radio tubes at an estate auction, and it only stated Super Hustler stickered on it, and I am thinking.... What in the World is that Sex Company making now besides Magazines?!!🤔haha👍😉🇨🇦
Amazon, eBay and others have sources for a 3/8-24 antenna mount that will clamp to a pole. Truckers use them with their mirrors but they also work with tripods.
Hello Peter, I'm just looking through my ROATA aerial journal by Dennis Hoult G4OO Dennis Hoult , who by the way taught me Morse Code, to a standard way above the CW test 12 wpm, anyway I'm looking at a Short Span 80m dipole by Peter G3OJV, that looks interesting design, thought I may have a go at it, were you pleased with the design. Paul M0BSW
I've been running the ..browning 78 antenna for about 5 years..takes a licking.and keeps on ticking. . Also last 4 years Been running the ..hustler 27 antenna. .like it alot...both antenna very little turning needed. ..number one rule. Get that coil up as high as possible so it's out in the open....above the vehicle roof like.. .....mike from minnesota. ...
Anyone remember a sloper or inverted "V" with long white coil in the leg? It's bern a long time since I saw this antenna, 40 years??? Wondering if they're still made
@@watersstanton Thanks a lot for your very interesting videos..I subscribed!!!I am an ssb transceivers homebuilder!!So, imagine how can I appreciate these videos..!🖐️🖐️
KN4FJQ Thanks for showing this I've been wanting to buy a Hustler super resignator for my truck I will use a mast and mount it on a swing arm on back bumper I have a msj 1699 on the top of the cab but it just don't seem to have the range I would like. Thanks again 73s
I can’t work out what you’re talking about it’s already a baseloaded antenna as it is a baseloaded antenna so you put some thread at the bottom it’s a little bit higher so it’s still a baseloaded antenna? The point is you don’t say what it will do for me with this amazing modification, you just repeat here is an old antenna other people have stopped buying please buy me?
Great video , I'm thinking about putting one on a mag mount up on the steel with aluminium coated roofing on my house for 40m this would use the same mounting hardware as the cb whips did years ago that are everywhere used. Do you think it would make a good antenna as I plan to mount it. Thanks AA4CP Chuck in Port Salerno,FL
I have one mounted to a wooden post on the side of the house and it does reasonably well as a receive antenna, with any kind of a ground plane and matching like you have, it should do well for what it is.
