While tuning is a consideration, it  isn't a disaster.  The most tuning 
would  be needed on 75/80 and to a lesser amount on 40.  It won't cover the 
whole 75/80 band without a tuner, so you just have to choose  the band 
segment you want to  be resonant in and  set the coil  length.    80 and 40 
can be tuned with your feet flat on the ground as the coils are near the 
base of the antenna.   Depending on how tall you are and how long your arms 
are, you may need a stepstool or something to work on the 20/30 meter 
section. The higher band adjustments are up in the sky, but once set, 
aren't affected by  changes down below.

Tuning 80 or 40 only requires loosening a wingnut and sliding a clamp up and 
down a tube.

A tilt base would be nice, but it really isn't hard to get it  on and off 
the mounting post by yourself.  Just don't do it on a windy day and if any 
chance of hitting a power line, get help.

73, Steve KW3A



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: antenna info


> Hi;
> I have looked at their site and there is indeed lots of info.  My only
> reluctance is the fact that tuning will with my luck be an adventure and
> fortunately or unfortunately sighted help will still be a necessity and it
> has been to cold here to start recruiting unwilling people.
> Richard
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Steve Forst" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:00 AM
> Subject: Re: antenna info
>
>
> Richard,
>
> My Butternut vertical has been in storage for a few years, so I'll defer 
> to
> Lowell as the expert, but for what it's worth:  They can be a job to tune
> especially if you are doing something wierd like  roof or tower mounting.
> If you ground mount along with some reasonable  ground system, the factory
> settings should  get you in the ballpark.  My understanding is that more
> shorter radials  are better than  fewer, longer radials.
>
> I did have mine elevated,  and so had to do some tuning, but the end 
> result
> was worth it.
>
> You may know that Butternut is owned by Bencher and the Bencher web site 
> has
> a wealth of info on the care and feeding of short verticals and grounding.
> Some of it is dry and technical, but worth looking at if you are 
> considering
> a vertical.  The info may be of some help, no matter what vertical you 
> wind
> up installing.
>
> 73, Steve KW3A
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:52 AM
> Subject: Re: antenna info
>
>
>> Hi;
>> Although I could change my mind tomorrow, if I ground mount something the
>> butternut is probably at the top of my list.  Curious how many radials 
>> you
>> put down approximately.  I have also heard it can be a bear to tune.
>> Richard
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Lowell Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 1:10 PM
>> Subject: Re: antenna info
>>
>>
>> Don't over look the Butternut 80 through 6 MTR vertical!
>> I have been using one for over 7 years and have put down radials in the
>> grass of the lawn.
>> I have worked the world with it and have even added the 160 MTR kit to it
>> and it works well also.
>> It is self-supporting having been in some pretty strong winds with no
>> problems.
>> There you are for what it is worth.
>> Best 73.
>> Lowell  W8QIY
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 3:34 PM
>> Subject: antenna info
>>
>>
>>> Hi Everyone;
>>> I have spent the winter antenna browsing and I know less now than I did
>>> before.  At any rate,  I was initially looking for an hf vertical
>>> covering
>>> at least 40 through 10 (75 would be nice) that was a vertical dipole and
>>> didn't therefore require radials.
>>> I have eliminated the r8 (been through two al ready.  I also decided 
>>> that
>>> because I had an amplifier that I was going to try and use I was going 
>>> to
>>> stay away from the gap.  Took a look at force 12 and decided I wasn't
>>> going
>>> that route either.  Anyone know of any exciting options that are durable
>>> and
>>> really work?
>>> The second option was to go with something ground mounted and bite the
>>> bullet and put down radials.  I wanted self supporting though.  My
>>> initial
>>> thought was the steppir but its rather tall and I suspect not really all
>>> that self supporting.  The price was as much as a ts480 which was also a
>>> consideration.
>>> The other option is a "simple" g5rv but I need a 30 foot support for the
>>> center.  Unfortunately there isn't a convenient tree.
>>> We have had lots of wind the last few years and I don't really really
>>> want
>>> to worry about the thing coming down in the neighbors lawn.  I think we
>>> had
>>> about three wind storms that might have killed my r8.
>>> Its much cheaper to ask for suggestions prior to spending money.
>>> Richard
>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>