I am having difficulties with the NanoVNA and my Butternut HF6V antenna SWR readings.
Beware of cheap underperforming clones
As of 2023 there are many badly performing clones on the market. V2/3GHz NanoVNA uses parts like ADF4350 and AD8342 which are costly and clones have been cutting costs by using salvaged or reject parts.
See official store and look for V2 Plus4/V2 Plus4 Pro versions only to avoid getting a bad clone. We have stopped selling V2.2 versions since October 2020, so all V2 hardware that are not Plus or Plus4 are not made by us and we can not guarantee performance.
Click here to join and see most recent posts.
Any Butternut Anntena Users
What difficulties?
Dg9bfc sigi
Am 19.08.2023 05:57 schrieb Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com>:
> I am having difficulties with the NanoVNA and my Butternut HF6V antenna SWR
readings.
_._,_._,_
* * *
High SWRs on 10 meters. 28-29.5 = 2+ SWRs. All other bands = infinite. Yes I calculated each band on the NanoVNA individually. I only have the SWR trace showing, SWR checked, with a .25 scale on the right side.
The antenna has never failed me. But I am going to check it today.
Than you for your reply.
Tim Kelly
t.m.kelly@outlook.com
-------- Original message --------
From: Siegfried Jackstien <siegfried.jackstien@freenet.de>
Date: 8/19/23 10:29 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io
Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
What difficulties?
Dg9bfc sigi
Am 19.08.2023 05:57 schrieb Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com>:
I am having difficulties with the NanoVNA and my Butternut HF6V antenna SWR readings.
2:1 SWR is not a bad match...... Most modern radios can correct for this.
Dave - WØLEV
On Sat, Aug 19, 2023 at 6:49 PM Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com> wrote:
> High SWRs on 10 meters. 28-29.5 = 2+ SWRs. All other bands = infinite. Yes
> I calculated each band on the NanoVNA individually. I only have the SWR
> trace showing, SWR checked, with a .25 scale on the right side.
>
> The antenna has never failed me. But I am going to check it today.
>
>
> Than you for your reply.
>
> Tim Kelly
> t.m.kelly@outlook.com
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Siegfried Jackstien <siegfried.jackstien@freenet.de>
> Date: 8/19/23 10:29 AM (GMT-05:00)
> To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io
> Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
>
> What difficulties?
> Dg9bfc sigi
>
> Am 19.08.2023 05:57 schrieb Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com>:
>
> I am having difficulties with the NanoVNA and my Butternut HF6V antenna
> SWR readings.
>
>
>
>
>
--
*Dave - WØLEV*
Calibrate for the frequency range of interest. Then you get more
measurement points
AFAIK.
Raj
On 19/08/2023 9:27 AM, Tim wrote:
Hi
Looks like a broken solder joint right at the end of ten meter vertical part,(disconnecting the whole remaining length of the vertical.....)
4x1rv
I connected my old MFJ to my Butternut coax and was able see readings. Hooked up the NanaVNA and discovered a bad connector at the NanaVNA and coax connection. I replaced the connector and I am now receiving readings on the NanoVNA.
But the readings are different from my setup about a year ago. Here are my SWR reading from low point on the frequency to high point.
10 m. 1.5. 2.5
15m. 1.7. 2.7
20m. 1.7. 2.25
30m. 3.0.+ 3.0+
40m. 1.25. 3.0+
80m. 1.25. 3.0+
They all seem high on the upper side of the bands. 30m has me confused.
Thank you for any suggestions especially on 30 meters.
Tim Kelly
t.m.kelly@outlook.com
-------- Original message --------
From: W0LEV <davearea51a@gmail.com>
Date: 8/19/23 11:58 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io
Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
2:1 SWR is not a bad match...... Most modern radios can correct for this.
Dave - WØLEV
On Sat, Aug 19, 2023 at 6:49 PM Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com<mailto:t.m.kelly@outlook.com>> wrote:
High SWRs on 10 meters. 28-29.5 = 2+ SWRs. All other bands = infinite. Yes I calculated each band on the NanoVNA individually. I only have the SWR trace showing, SWR checked, with a .25 scale on the right side.
The antenna has never failed me. But I am going to check it today.
Than you for your reply.
Tim Kelly
t.m.kelly@outlook.com<mailto:t.m.kelly@outlook.com>
-------- Original message --------
From: Siegfried Jackstien <siegfried.jackstien@freenet.de<mailto:siegfried.jackstien@freenet.de>>
Date: 8/19/23 10:29 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io<mailto:NanoVNAV2@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
What difficulties?
Dg9bfc sigi
Am 19.08.2023 05:57 schrieb Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com<mailto:t.m.kelly@outlook.com>>:
I am having difficulties with the NanoVNA and my Butternut HF6V antenna SWR readings.
--
Dave - WØLEV
Thank you. I will look into that situation.
Tim Kelly
t.m.kelly@outlook.com
-------- Original message --------
From: Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com>
Date: 8/20/23 2:08 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io
Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
I connected my old MFJ to my Butternut coax and was able see readings. Hooked up the NanaVNA and discovered a bad connector at the NanaVNA and coax connection. I replaced the connector and I am now receiving readings on the NanoVNA.
But the readings are different from my setup about a year ago. Here are my SWR reading from low point on the frequency to high point.
10 m. 1.5. 2.5
15m. 1.7. 2.7
20m. 1.7. 2.25
30m. 3.0.+ 3.0+
40m. 1.25. 3.0+
80m. 1.25. 3.0+
They all seem high on the upper side of the bands. 30m has me confused.
Thank you for any suggestions especially on 30 meters.
Tim Kelly
t.m.kelly@outlook.com
-------- Original message --------
From: W0LEV <davearea51a@gmail.com>
Date: 8/19/23 11:58 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io
Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
2:1 SWR is not a bad match...... Most modern radios can correct for this.
Dave - WØLEV
On Sat, Aug 19, 2023 at 6:49 PM Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com<mailto:t.m.kelly@outlook.com>> wrote:
High SWRs on 10 meters. 28-29.5 = 2+ SWRs. All other bands = infinite. Yes I calculated each band on the NanoVNA individually. I only have the SWR trace showing, SWR checked, with a .25 scale on the right side.
The antenna has never failed me. But I am going to check it today.
Than you for your reply.
Tim Kelly
t.m.kelly@outlook.com<mailto:t.m.kelly@outlook.com>
-------- Original message --------
From: Siegfried Jackstien <siegfried.jackstien@freenet.de<mailto:siegfried.jackstien@freenet.de>>
Date: 8/19/23 10:29 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io<mailto:NanoVNAV2@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
What difficulties?
Dg9bfc sigi
Am 19.08.2023 05:57 schrieb Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com<mailto:t.m.kelly@outlook.com>>:
I am having difficulties with the NanoVNA and my Butternut HF6V antenna SWR readings.
--
Dave - WØLEV
Without looking it up online, was the Butternut designed to operate on
30-meters? I seem to remember only the traditional five bands were
addressed.
Dave - WØLEV
On Sun, Aug 20, 2023 at 6:08 PM Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com> wrote:
> I connected my old MFJ to my Butternut coax and was able see readings.
> Hooked up the NanaVNA and discovered a bad connector at the NanaVNA and
> coax connection. I replaced the connector and I am now receiving readings
> on the NanoVNA.
>
> But the readings are different from my setup about a year ago. Here are my
> SWR reading from low point on the frequency to high point.
>
> 10 m. 1.5. 2.5
> 15m. 1.7. 2.7
> 20m. 1.7. 2.25
> 30m. 3.0.+ 3.0+
> 40m. 1.25. 3.0+
> 80m. 1.25. 3.0+
>
> They all seem high on the upper side of the bands. 30m has me confused.
>
> Thank you for any suggestions especially on 30 meters.
>
> Tim Kelly
> t.m.kelly@outlook.com
>
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: W0LEV <davearea51a@gmail.com>
> Date: 8/19/23 11:58 PM (GMT-05:00)
> To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io
> Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
>
> 2:1 SWR is not a bad match...... Most modern radios can correct for this.
>
> Dave - WØLEV
>
> On Sat, Aug 19, 2023 at 6:49 PM Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com> wrote:
>
>> High SWRs on 10 meters. 28-29.5 = 2+ SWRs. All other bands = infinite.
>> Yes I calculated each band on the NanoVNA individually. I only have the SWR
>> trace showing, SWR checked, with a .25 scale on the right side.
>>
>> The antenna has never failed me. But I am going to check it today.
>>
>>
>> Than you for your reply.
>>
>> Tim Kelly
>> t.m.kelly@outlook.com
>>
>>
>> -------- Original message --------
>> From: Siegfried Jackstien <siegfried.jackstien@freenet.de>
>> Date: 8/19/23 10:29 AM (GMT-05:00)
>> To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io
>> Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
>>
>> What difficulties?
>> Dg9bfc sigi
>>
>> Am 19.08.2023 05:57 schrieb Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com>:
>>
>> I am having difficulties with the NanoVNA and my Butternut HF6V antenna
>> SWR readings.
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
>
> *Dave - WØLEV *
>
>
>
>
>
--
*Dave - WØLEV*
Exactly what type of ground system do you have on that antenna?
What type of coax and is the coax buried or above ground? Is the coax
properly waterproofed at the connection?
73 Tom
On 8/20/2023 1:33 PM, Tim wrote:
> I connected my old MFJ to my Butternut coax and was able see readings.
> Hooked up the NanaVNA and discovered a bad connector at the NanaVNA
> and coax connection. I replaced the connector and I am now receiving
> readings on the NanoVNA.
>
> But the readings are different from my setup about a year ago. Here
> are my SWR reading from low point on the frequency to high point.
>
> 10 m. 1.5. 2.5
> 15m. 1.7. 2.7
> 20m. 1.7. 2.25
> 30m. 3.0.+ 3.0+
> 40m. 1.25. 3.0+
> 80m. 1.25. 3.0+
>
> They all seem high on the upper side of the bands. 30m has me confused.
> Thank you for any suggestions especially on 30 meters.
>
> Tim Kelly
> t.m.kelly@outlook.com
>
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: W0LEV <davearea51a@gmail.com>
> Date: 8/19/23 11:58 PM (GMT-05:00)
> To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io
> Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
>
> 2:1 SWR is not a bad match...... Most modern radios can correct for this.
>
> Dave - WØLEV
>
> On Sat, Aug 19, 2023 at 6:49 PM Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com> wrote:
>
> High SWRs on 10 meters. 28-29.5 = 2+ SWRs. All other bands =
> infinite. Yes I calculated each band on the NanoVNA individually.
> I only have the SWR trace showing, SWR checked, with a .25 scale
> on the right side.
>
> The antenna has never failed me. But I am going to check it today.
>
>
> Than you for your reply.
>
> Tim Kelly
> t.m.kelly@outlook.com
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Siegfried Jackstien <siegfried.jackstien@freenet.de>
> Date: 8/19/23 10:29 AM (GMT-05:00)
> To: NanoVNAV2@groups.io
> Subject: Re: [nanovnav2] Any Butternut Anntena Users
>
> What difficulties?
> Dg9bfc sigi
>
> Am 19.08.2023 05:57 schrieb Tim <t.m.kelly@outlook.com>:
>
> I am having difficulties with the NanoVNA and my Butternut
> HF6V antenna SWR readings.
>
>
>
>
> --
> *Dave - WØLEV
> *
>
>
>
--
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software.
www.avg.com
1st off something has changed - my name / instead of call sign on top KD0CAC
Next is if you have made any changes or moved the antenna , Butternut only has a couple weak points - one of the capacitors does not have correct support & wind can break the capacitor [ do not remember which on ] , next is other connections - less of an issue , but anything sitting outside over time will fail .
Try using the Smith Chart on the Nano VNA - what your looking for is what type of reactance [ capacitive or inductive ] is causing the higher SWR - that would point where to look .
Also you can just take the antenna down & apart , then after cleaning & applying copper anti-sieze on all connections , just reassemble as new out of the box - you should find issue during this process , you could also use a multi-meter - before disassembly / but laying something like a couple saw horses - checking each connection for resistance issue .
If and when you take the antenna down and apart, check all the capacitors
for correct value and any mechanical damage. They are the #1 failure
component in the assembly. I had a friend, now deceased, who had a
Butternut up for decades. In it's lifetime, he went through two failed
capacitors. John is correct in that they are not mechanically well
supported.
Dave - WØLEV
On Mon, Aug 21, 2023 at 5:29 PM John Faughn <johnfaughn@gmail.com> wrote:
> 1st off something has changed - my name / instead of call sign on top
> KD0CAC
>
> Next is if you have made any changes or moved the antenna , Butternut only
> has a couple weak points - one of the capacitors does not have correct
> support & wind can break the capacitor [ do not remember which on ] , next
> is other connections - less of an issue , but anything sitting outside over
> time will fail .
>
> Try using the Smith Chart on the Nano VNA - what your looking for is what
> type of reactance [ capacitive or inductive ] is causing the higher SWR -
> that would point where to look .
>
> Also you can just take the antenna down & apart , then after cleaning &
> applying copper anti-sieze on all connections , just reassemble as new out
> of the box - you should find issue during this process , you could also use
> a multi-meter - before disassembly / but laying something like a couple saw
> horses - checking each connection for resistance issue .
>
>
>
--
*Dave - WØLEV*
To reply to this topic, join https://groups.io/g/NanoVNAV2