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.

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Any Butternut Anntena Users


Tim 2023/08/18 20:57

I am having difficulties with the NanoVNA and my Butternut HF6V antenna SWR readings.

Siegfried Jackstien 2023/08/19 14:16

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.



_._,_._,_

* * *

Tim 2023/08/19 18:45

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.

W0LEV 2023/08/19 19:46

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*

Raj vu2zap 2023/08/20 09:55

Calibrate for the frequency range of interest. Then you get more
measurement points

AFAIK.

Raj

On 19/08/2023 9:27 AM, Tim wrote:

josephlevy 2023/08/20 06:17

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

Tim 2023/08/20 17:33

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

Tim 2023/08/20 21:09

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

W0LEV 2023/08/20 23:37

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*

Tom W8JI 2023/08/20 21:15

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

John Faughn 2023/08/21 07:29

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 .

W0LEV 2023/08/21 17:52

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*

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