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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
G.M. (WA6CDE)
on
March 6, 2005
View comments about this article!
Traffic accident wating to happen
I had a Hustler (formally called Newtronics) RM-75S suddenly depart the top of the antenna shaft. This luckily happened while we were stopped along side the roadway and a gust of wind from a passing truck caused the resonator to “Just fall off” while we watched. We couldn't believe it… and turned, smiled and started to laugh about what we had just seen happen.
But, its no laughing matter… had the 75S resonator fallen off while we were going down the road … I am sure it could have been a different matter as it is heavy enough to cause considerable damage after falling off, hitting the ground and bouncing into a on coming vehicle which could result in a traffic accident which would make the owning ham liable in the event of the other motorists takes evasive action resulting in loss of control of their vehicle to avoid the fod of the resonator. This could result in a legal suit real quickly against the owning ham that lost it. Make sure that you do not get caught in the same situation where you might find yourself being sued if, because of it departure, the accident results in someone getting hurt or worse case; wrongful death.…
I talked to Hustler (Jo and her boss) about the fact that it appear to be a hydrogen embitterment problem with the material and the chrome plating process… or mechanical defect in assembly, as one can tell it did not just shear off. Never the less it apparently is not their problem. In his response… he claimed that they don't feel like they are responsible. He did mention that they were aware of the problem and have changed their design to avoid the problem…
But, that doesn't help the poor ham that already has one and has not been apprised that this can happen.
A word to the wise… don't get caught up in a hobby which can result in your losing your property or getting sued for hurting someone on the roadway because of a faulty resonator.
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by N0IU on March 6, 2005
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FOR SALE:
Set of Hustler "S" resonators for 15, 20, 40 and 75 meters. Also includes the tri-band adaptor and single piece mast. No extra charge for the dead insects! Make offer.
NØIU
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by N8UZE on March 6, 2005
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When did Hustler make the change and how old was your antenna?
Metal fatigue could still occur but over a longer term even if there hadn't been hydrogen embrittlement.
Guying the antenna might reduce the vibrations and swinging of the antenna and thus lead to a longer durability.
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WA7H on March 6, 2005
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You don’t mention how old it is, how it was mounted and how many years it’s been bouncing around in the wind attached to your vehicle. Those are the important factors in determining if there is a manufacturing defect or if it was fatigue from long term use. It sounds like fatigue; you can hardly blame Hustler for a defective part if it’s been attached to your vehicle for 20 years. I’ve used the small Hustler resonators for twenty six years and the only two that broke was a 75 meter from hitting a low railroad overpass at sixty miles an hour, it exploded very nicely and didn't hurt the mast, and a 20 meter from hitting the low ceiling beams in a parking structure. Thanks for the information and I’m sure we all appreciate your concern and warning.
73,
Steve, W7JSC
Ex-WA7H
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by KG4CGC on March 6, 2005
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Well if you're reading this may I suggest about three small spotwelds prior to installation or as a modification?
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by NF6E on March 6, 2005
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Um, yeah. Hustler is aware of the problem and they have changed their design to avoid it, but it's not their responsibility.
The man was aware that his gun went off, but he's not responsible for the guy that was in the path of his bullet who got hit by it.
Not a very good argument Hustler.
Jason NF6E
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by LNXAUTHOR on March 6, 2005
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- thanks for this warning... this is good stuff that owners of the gear should know about...
- in a similar vein, i've found that some 3/8x24 accessories seem to have awfully short bolt lengths that do not look sturdy enough for handling long whips... considering the amount of stress that such connections have to endure, i'm not surprised to see results like that in this article...
- a good warning, and one which deserves a bit more advice: ALWAYS do weekly/monthly checks on mobile antenna setups! mobile HF'n is hard on gear!
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by N5EAT on March 6, 2005
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It's too easy to try to ascribe blame. No one seems to remember that stuff just breaks or wears out. Suppose Hustler heard of a few of these huge 80 meter resonators breaking and beefed them up? It's still not an indication that they built a defective part.
I'll tell you something that they make which breaks all the time. The little tri-band adapter they sell designed to let you mount 2 or 3 resonators on one mast. They will metal stress and break fairly quickly. What did I personally do? I bought and used two at a time.
I have one MO-2 mast which is 15 years old and is a good as new. Frankly, Hustler's stuff is a bit better than can be expected for the price if you ask me. And it works really well.
Let's not go overboard with the blame game. Lawyers and greedy consumers have caused anyone who sells anything to say "not my fault". If Hustler said it was their problem, the lawsuits would flood in and put them out of business. And frankly, i personally don't want the makers of my favorite mobile antenna system going out of business.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by KF4VGX on March 6, 2005
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While using multi band mobile antennas over the years ,I also must add this warning.
You must be responsible with your antenna,My antenna has been responsible for killing Birds and all sorts of insects. No wonder I have lost a few antennas over the years. Yes I'm glad cows don't fly !
There was almost an accidental death to a cat,as the animal was attempting to catch a bird on the tip top of the antenna , yeas I was watching the varmint. :->.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by K0BG on March 6, 2005
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This is not the only known problem with Hustler antennas. And I'm not surprised about the response you got from them.
Amateur radio antennas can be a big liability problem if not properly mounted. I have an upcoming article about this very issue. Although it is in respect to mag mounted antennas, it could be construed to include some other forms of mounting if it could be proved that such mounting was not adequate. Further, your comprehensive may not cover such losses if you have failed to mention such attachments to your vehicle. When in doubt, check it out.
I notice you have the "heavy-duty" coils which as you point out are rather heavy. In most cases, you're better off with the smaller coils are they are actually more efficient. This is due to the rather large end caps on the HD coils. Regardless of what you read in Hustler's ads, the small coils will handle 500 watts SSB with out much problems.
Their biggest draw back is that water can and does get under the vinyl covering which causes the coils to change resonance.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WD8KDG on March 6, 2005
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Doubt very much the cause was hydrogen embrittlement. I've worked in the industrial gas business for almost 30 years, cryogenic air separation and steam methane reformer (hydrogen) plants. In order for hydrogen embrittlement to occur, high purity hydrogen has to be present almost constantly under pressure. This will cause the hydrogen to squeeze between the molecules of metal. Going from a high pressure to a low pressure helps the hydrogen enter fractures in the metal also. When the metal become brittle with the presence of hydrogen and the pressure increasing then decreasing, SNAP,CRACK,BANG,BOOM.
Just an old Hustler weaken by time and wind, my guess.
73's
wd8kdg
Craig
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by AA4PB on March 6, 2005
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I've had three of the Hustler fold-over masts fail and fold over while in motion. In all three cases the tab broke off just above the retaining sleeve. That was with the smaller sized 40M resonator attached. About 30 years ago I used the same setup without any problem. I don't know if it represents a change in the materials used or if its a difference in the air flow around the vehicle. The failures were while mounted on the rear bumper of a pick up which may subject it to more wind resistance than if it were installed on a car.
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WA4CCH on March 6, 2005
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had the same thing happen to me only it hit the car behind me my insurance paid for his cracked windshield
told hustler about it they said yes we had a problem but we have fixed it mine was also the 75-s so it seems they know that there are deadly missilles out there what are they gonna do when one comes off at 80 mph and kills some one are they gonna say hey we knew about it but it's not our fault have they ever heard the words recall exchange insted they WILL be hearing the words LAW SUIT
73 and heads up a hustler ant may be heading right at you
chuck
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by N0IU on March 6, 2005
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No wonder I am not getting any replies!
NØIU
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by AC2RC on March 6, 2005
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Electroplating releases hyrogen atoms which easily diffuse into the steel then diffuse to high stress areas and combine to form the hydrogen molecule, H2. The effects are usually short term within a month or so. Far more likely especially looking at the photo is a fatigue failure caused by a sharp radius in the step between the two different diameters. Whoever designed it with the sharp radius is at fault ! A warning to carefully examine all antennas on a regular basis for problems of mechanical nature , corrosion etc.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WB9CWE on March 6, 2005
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It would be very revealing to examine the area of failure using metallography. Having a look at the metal(s)with a metallograph at say 200 to 400 power would probably reveal good clues as to the cause.
Anyway, Hustler's lack of concern regarding this is a bit troubling. Thanks for the warning.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WA6BFH on March 6, 2005
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N0IU, I would make you a serious offer on the Resonators and Mast (if it is a 54 inch mast) but, I’m a little cautious on this, as you might understand!
I think we all need to scratch our chins over this for a few minutes, and think about all of the implications! I certainly appreciate the cautionary tip from the author, and I certainly don’t want to have a Highway patrolman chase me down to question me about my antenna smashing someone’s windshield, a minute or so after the SWR went to hell! I think though as Ham’s we can come up with some decent and improved installations.
I like the Hustler antenna, for reasons that I’m sure N0IU can confirm! The 54 inch Hustler mast makes a very nice 6 Meter ¼ wavelength whip antenna. In fact the antenna will work just fine on 6 Meters, even with one or more “resonators” for other bands attached. This is because even a 10 Meter resonator appears to be a large inductive choke, and is otherwise transparent or effectively non-existent on 50 MHz.
I only use the Hustler antenna that I have on my truck for 2 bands at a time, one always being 6 Meters! This is because if you put more than one resonator on the mast, HF performance starts to suffer, especially at the lower end of the spectrum. Any resonator, even 80 Meters, along with the 54 inch mast, makes a pretty decent two band mobile antenna for 6 and that other band!
Another thought also, probably not though for “mobile in MOTION” installations is the “Buddy Pole” hardware. The ‘tap-able’ coils of the Buddy Pole use the same thread size as the Hustler coils. The Buddy Pole Hardware is probably too flimsy for mobile in motion use, but it makes for a quickly re-tunable antenna to cover most of the HF spectrum!
73! de John
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WA6BFH on March 6, 2005
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K0BG, that’s the first time that I heard an argument for small coils being better! I prefer the larger or ‘Super’ coils, not for their power handling ability but, because they provide better “Q” as an ‘RF circuit’.
I never use more than 100 Watts in my mobile anyway but, I prefer to have as much of that 100 Watts get into the ‘Ether’ as possible. Of course, in good keeping with the laws of reciprocity, I’m sure this makes the antenna a better receive antenna as well!
73! de John
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RE: Warning About Hydrogen embitterment.
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by K4JSR on March 6, 2005
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G0GQK asked, "What's a hydrogen embitterment problem?"
For the answer to that question merely ask any of the
Hindenburg survivors!
It only goes to show that time will HELIUM all wounds!
73, Cal K4JSR
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by KQ6IN on March 6, 2005
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The best way to figure out if Hustler is responsible or not is to let these guys do their job:
http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by G1BED on March 7, 2005
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I have SO239 sockets adapted into heavy duty alu mirror mounts clamped to the rear roofrack crossbar on my car. Mounts have done ok for past 20 years without problems and I check them annually. Run 9ft 80m whip (with 4ft coil) and Hustlers for 40/20/15 thru heavy duty 3/8"/SO239 adapter but also use nylon guylines from bottom of whip section onto front of roof rails as I frequently hit low branches and have already had one 3/8 mount shear off. The guylines stop sudden snatches due to branches or wind but if the mounting fails will also stop the aerial hitting anything else apart from your car.
Andy
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by AA4PB on March 7, 2005
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I've heard claims and read test results somewhere that show that because of the capacitance between the large metal end caps on the high power Hustler resonators they are actually less efficient than the smaller Hustler resonators.
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by K8NQC on March 7, 2005
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The only place I ever used the heavy duty resonator was to add 80 meters to a 4BTV vertical for a fixed application. Never had a problem. For mobile the smaller coils are adequate and are not under nearly so high of stress levels.
How does one run more than 500 watts mobile and still meet RF exposure guidelines? I was going to add a high power mobile amp but my calculations said the exposure was excessive.
Aging is also a factor. Manufactured products exposed to the elements tend to age. At some point it may be good to retire the old ones and give our amateur suppliers some much needed business.
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by K0RGR on March 7, 2005
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I've never used the larger 'S' resonators, but I saw one fail once, a long time ago. And, just like the only time I've ever seen the small ones fail, it was after many whacks on tree branches. I suspect the tree branches played a large part in those failures, but I imagine that very long-term exposure to high wind could do the same thing. I've recently discovered the benefits of the short-masted, long-whipped Hustlers on the higher HF bands, so I suspect I'll be using them for years to come.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WA6BFH on March 7, 2005
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AA4PB, could you explain to me how this works? If I have a highly inductively reactive coil loaded antenna, why would what is in effect, a ‘capacitive hat’ be a bad thing?
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by W6TH on March 7, 2005
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I have had the RM 75 mounted on the 4BTV break loose and fall to the ground. It sure did not take my 30 years of use and our 80 to 100 mph gusts of wind.
I still believe Hustler is the best deal, the best price; that is for me as all their products not only produced, but also gave me a feeling of comfort, the installtion was going to work. No down time.
I still use my mobile resonators and have been for the past 53 years. Highly recommend Hustler.
.:
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by AA4PB on March 7, 2005
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why would what is in effect, a ‘capacitive hat’ be a bad thing?
----------------------------------------------------
It's not a capacitive hat, it's a shunt capacitance across in parallel with the coil.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by AA4PB on March 7, 2005
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I found the reference I was thinking of. It is Jerry Sevick's book "Building and Using Baluns and Ununs". Jerry found by measurements that the losses in the low power and high power Hustler resonators were the same for the 20M and 40M resonators (where one would expect the high power resonators to have less loss due to the larger wire). In the 75M resonators he found the high power unit to have about 15 ohms *more* loss than the low power unit. He goes thru 5 pages of technical explanation of why this is so but basically it boils down to the shunt capacitance of the large end caps. He found that the loss can be cut in half by eliminating the end caps.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by KC8VWM on March 7, 2005
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G0GQK asked, "What's a hydrogen embitterment problem?"
Clinical studies suggest that this end result is directly correlated to one's active participation at hot dog stands during most hamfest activities.
Charles - KC8VWM
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by KL7IPV on March 7, 2005
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I have been using the low power Hustlers since 1978 and they have been on 7 different vehicles. Should I worry? They seem solid enough now. But if they fail just an hour after I make a check of them, does that make the maker liable instead of me? If I lose a hub cap and it rolls into another car, who is liable for that? Lawyers!! We can't even enjoy a hobby without worrying about how they will come and get us. Geez.
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by K0PP on March 7, 2005
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I continue to be amazed at the blind loyalty to Hustler coils! As K0BG points out above, the vinly cobvring WILL leak (and then retain) water, further adding to the already-high losses due to the phenolic forms. GAWD-awful coil form material. Mobile antenna contests continually show the Hustlers to be at or near the bottom of the list of antennas tested.
73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by K0PP on March 7, 2005
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I continue to be amazed at the blind loyalty to Hustler coils! As K0BG points out above, the vinly covering WILL leak (and then retain) water, further adding to the already-high losses due to the phenolic forms. GAWD-awful coil form material. Mobile antenna contests continually show the Hustlers to be at or near the bottom of the list of antennas tested.
73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by W4MMR on March 7, 2005
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I guess I don't understand the assembly as shown. I have a simlilar S type setup but the mast is aluminum with an inserted stainless threaded stud and lockwasher used to attach to the resonator. The design shown appears to be hollow with very thin wall section. I would venture to say that failure was due to fatigue caused by a lot of use and torque stresses on the threads caused by tightening and loosening when changing resonators. It is easy to really tighten these assemblies up when you have a large diameter resonator to turn and the stresse are high especially when steel only has a yield strenght of 30,000 psi. It is easy to yield the steel, in thin cross sections, to the plastic stage where it does not return to its original shape thereby making it easier to break.
Hydrogen embrittlement is a real issue as stated in the gas and petroleum industry and with fasteners that are of a certain grade and plating type such as elctrolytic zinc plated fasteners. I always stay away from that particular process and use mechanical type plated bolts such as zinc dipped. Stainless is always an option, too.
Mark
W4MMR
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WA6BFH on March 8, 2005
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I wonder in these comments about the INefficiencies of Hustler coils, how well this has been put to empiric test, and documented?
I had suggested to another Ham once, when we were having a discussion about different mobile HF antennas, that we might collaborate on organizing an antenna test. He said, “Oh we do that all the time”. I responded, ‘cool, do you have data for different bands, as well as different model antennas and installations?’ He responded, “that’s stupid, everybody just looks at 75 Meters”.
I can understand that looking at the lower end of the spectrum will disclose quite a bit for, highly inductive antennas but, it would be nice to have data covering the entire range of spectrum. That’s something that this chap said nobody did? He was also not familiar with the term “dBm,” and said that otherwise comparisons were just made to see whose antenna worked best. That’s not even close to what I had in mind!
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by K0RGR on March 8, 2005
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I have absolutely no doubt that any form of bug-catcher will outperform a Hustler. I think I can demonstrate that on my own car with a short-masted Hustler and an MFJ mini-bug catcher. But the low power Hustlers have much less wind resistance and 100X less ugly. If I want efficient, I park and put up a real antenna.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by KJ7XJ on March 8, 2005
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I think the answer is a no-brainer. Guy your (*&^%$% antenna so it won't break.
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by KB0GU on March 8, 2005
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I have had a slightly different problem with similar near disasterous results! My Hustler mast vibrated loose from its mount and the entire mast and 40 meter Super resonator went flying off the back of my pick up at 55 MPH! I just happened to catch this event in my rear view and gulped my heart back down to my chest as it had risen to my throat. Fortunately, the wind was strong enough the antenna went sailing to the right side of the road and hit the grass instead of anyone's vehicle behind me. This is when I realized this could have been much more devastating. I had believed the assembly to have been sufficiently tight and secure up to this point and there was no evidence of problems with the 20 meter S resonator up to this point. I had applied the 40 meter resonator just a few days earlier.
My mount is a clamp type mirror mount around the metal loop for rope tie inside the driver side wall of the bed of my Dodge Dakota 4X4 pick up, just behind the driver side of the cab. The male threaded mast screws into a male to female adaptor which screws into the male stud from this mount. I used no spring, a questionable practice in retrospect, but I had been advised the spring was too limber with S resonators. The mount arrangment I describe leaves the mast and associated super resonators to swing back and forth as the truck sways on bumps and turns working the threads to the couplings of the mast and adaptor to the mount. I have tightened it more now, to the point of ruining the insulator on the mount. I went to the hardware store looking for split ring stainless lock washers and found none that fit correctly, purchased star washers instead that fit better and tightned the mast with star washer in place between mast and adaptor and adaptor and mount stud. I further put two layers of split foam pipe insulation around the lower portion of the mast so the foam wedges against the bed side at the one foot level or more up the mast, and check the contraption for tighness every morning. I still do not completely trust it. I am now considering something more secure or that has less mass at this point for the dangerous reasons you mention in the original post. Thanks for the information.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WA6BFH on March 8, 2005
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I don’t know how the mirrors mount on your truck, but on mine the screws terminate into plastic grommets. In my case the mirrors are not even “DC” connected to the body of the vehicle, much less “AC” connected!
This too is a situation that I wonder how many Hams assess. The radiation resistance with most mobile HF antennas is poor! Yes, I know that antennas like the venerable “Texas Bug Catcher” and perhaps some of the better ‘screw driver’ antennas may be better for HF but, I have a specific technical concern, they suck on 6 Meters!
Anyway back to HF, this is why I think that better comparative data is needed! I mean why bolt something to your car that is really not doing the job? Of course I guess with mirror mounts, a Ham might mount two antennas and phase them! On 40 Meters though, I guess your mirrors would only need to be about 70 feet apart. You might just QSY to 10 Meters, where they would only need to be about 17 feet apart. In my case I would have to provide a decent counterpoise as well!
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And they don't work as well
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by KA5S on March 8, 2005
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>>by WA6BFH on March 6, 2005
>> K0BG, that’s the first time that I heard an
>> argument for small coils being better! I prefer
>> the larger or ‘Super’ coils, not for their
>> power handling ability but, because they
>> provide better “Q” as an ‘RF circuit’.
Jerry Sevick in his book _The Short Vertical Antenna and Ground Radial_* notes that the metal caps on the Super Hustler coil increases losses. This reinforces what I found in 1970, that I got better results on 75 with a low power coil.
*http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0943016223/qid=1110339946/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-1877183-9004629?v=glance&s=books
Cortland
KA5S
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RE: And they don't work as well
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by KE1MB on March 9, 2005
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I use this size coil withthe MO-4 mast on a tri-mag mount. Just bought it too. After reading all this it does make me concerned.
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RE: And they don't work as well
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by WA6BFH on March 9, 2005
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Cortland, after your's and the comments of another Ham on this thread, I can see that this warrents investigation. It may well be a valid point!
What about the other bands though?
If I were all that serious about 80 Meter mobile, I would almost certainly build or buy some specifically shopped for antenna!
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RE: And they don't work as well
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by KA5S on March 9, 2005
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With a low-power coil I never saw the *mechanical* problem reported here. (Remember, I'd stopped using my high-power one.) Indeed, I once drove under a carport with my roof-mounted (non-"super") 80m Hustler and the coil bent the upper and lower caps without coming apart. I bent it back and used it for several more years until the ends, already stressed far past normal, loosened and started making intermittent contact.
Cortland
KA5S
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RE: And they don't work as well
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by WA6BFH on March 9, 2005
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I'm not talking about the mechanical problem. This will exist, or not! If I ever have reason to want to use mobile in motion, I will look into some method to provide some sort of a 'safety cord'.
The question is, what is the {RF "Q"} efficiency of these larger coils? Let me use a technical term, if they suck, why use them at all?
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RE: And they don't work as well
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by KA5S on March 9, 2005
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>>The question is, what is the {RF "Q"} efficiency of these larger coils? Let me use a technical term, if they suck, why use them at all?<<
The smaller coils burn out at high power levels; Supers stand up to more. I was running a National 500 at 1100 volts and about 600 ma peak plate current. Used to take a pair of "lifetime warranty" sweep tubes back to Radio Shack every month -- "Must be something wrong; look, there's HOLES sucked in 'em!" -- but that is another story. Suffice it to say the tubes lasted longer when I went back to a lower power coil.
Cortland
KA5S
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RE: And they don't work as well
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by WA6BFH on March 9, 2005
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That’s an interesting observation but, I’m not sure that it answers the question! I trust Jerry Sevick enough, notwithstanding the other commentary I have heard here, to put this to a test.
The interesting thing to me is, ‘assuming that the surface area of the larger coil end cap covers provide a high enough parallel L/C pF capacitance to make a 3.75~ Mc tuned antenna critical’ -- how would this work out, even as the “C” ratio vs. frequency ascends up the spectrum?
I have “Super” : coils for 80, 40, and 15 Meters. I have the smaller coils for 10 Meters, as well as 12, and 15. I don’t unfortunately have ready access to a network analyzer. Soooooo, I need to come up with a method to see what sort of tests I might do without one. I have a couple ideas but, I’m going to think about it for a bit. I would appreciate the comments of those who might have already done such testing.
In any case I’m not going to give up using the Hustler system, because I use even the basic 54 inch mast on 6, and 2 Meters, as well as 135, and 70 centimeters. It would be nice to improve the coils though, mostly for the low end of the spectrum but, as long as known problems exist -- why not fix them all!
73! de John
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RE: And they don't work as well
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by K3UD on March 12, 2005
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I purchased my Hustler, used, in 1965 at a hamfest. I was not old enough to drive back then but I knew that when I did get to drive, I would want to be able to put a HF rig in the car. I paid $20 for the mast and the 80 through 10 meter resonator set. I have been using this antenna since 1967 and still have 4 of the original resonators that I still use. I have never had any mechanical problems with it.
On the other hand, I have had several glass mount 2m/70cm antennas detach and fall into the traffic stream and have known other hams to have this happen to them.
Other things not related to ham radio routinely fall of vehicles such as mufflers, wheel covers and large chunks of tire tread from big rigs.
73
George
K3UD
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by KA2VTI on March 14, 2005
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Well ladies and gentlemen... such a fuss over the Hustler antenna! The Ham community should well be concerned if the Hustler brand antennae was the best we had available to us however thank goodness it surely is not. I gave away a full compliment of Hustlers with masts many years ago and have not missed them a single moment. There narrow bandwidth and overall poor efficiencies surely left plenty to be desired and now mechanically unstable to boot, what a product! If you want to see what a proper mechanical and electrically engineered mobile antennae looks like then visit http://www.hiqantennas.com/ You won't be dissapointed. Remember you get what you pay for! It's too bad wisdom can't be downloaded from generation to generation for like the rest of you it took me 5 mobile antenna set ups to value spending serious money on the best just once.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by AA4PB on March 14, 2005
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Antennas, especially mobile antennas, are trade-offs. A big screwdriver antenna may be well built and a good performer but many people just don't want to drive around with such a big antenna. I don't think anyone would purchase a Hustler or a Hamstick in lieu of a Hi-Q because they thought it would perform better, especially on the lower bands.
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by KA1SU on March 16, 2005
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I too had a problem with an R75S Hystler resonator while assmebling a 6 band ground mounted vertical. The resonator separated at the base while I was mounting to the top of the antenna tube. Fortunately there was no chance of liability as I was working alone. I glued the pices back together using silicon sealant and it's stayed not withstanding the high winds we get here on the hill.
Thanks for the note as I thought it was just my resonator that was defective. By the way, my wife, who is both a ham and an attorney says Hustler definitely is responsinle for any damage caused by their product even if it's out of warranty.
73,
Jim - KA1SU
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by N6AF on March 16, 2005
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One precaution could be to add a strong piece of cord tied to the rod above the coil and to the main shaft below the tilt-over hardware. Then if the thing comes apart it'll just drop down and hang there. Your sudden drop in receiver noise will be your indicator.
By the way, don't use the standard Hustler coils with an ALS-500M. I learned via the "campfire marshmallow" method! Smoked it with 500 Watts out. Now I just use the 'S' version. Better add some security cords.
73 N6AF Chas
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by KG9IO on March 18, 2005
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G0GQK asked, "What's a hydrogen embitterment problem?"
Hydrogen, being small and light can migrate into many metals, and even
Pyrex glass. When it does it introduces dislocations and other
imperfections in the structure of the material which weakens the strength of
the material. especially its ability to "stretch" hence the term
embitterment.
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RE: Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by N0SP on March 30, 2005
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I just ran in to this thread... I'm surprised there are this many people around still using these things. The Hustlers are poorly designed (for RF) lossy coils... deliberately so I think to make an SWR meter look good. Many years ago I was disappointed how warm my 40 meter coil got when running 100 watts. (LOSS) So I bought the fat (kw) version of the coil. It still got hot. I retired them two decades ago and they're still gathering dust in an obscure part of my basement. I couldn't bring myself to pass them off on anyone I like. When I switched to an open space-wound coil design the performance increase was dramatic.
73,
Dennis
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WB2CMA on December 4, 2005
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FROM THE PHOTO I SEE OF THE HUSTLER 75S RESONATOR,THE RESONATOR IS PERFECTLY FINE AT THE BOTTOM, THE 3/8 INCH STUD AND MOUNTING STRUCTURE FAILED. THE BOTTOM OF A HUSTLER 75S RESONATOR HAS A MACHINED SCREWED FEMALE 3/8 INCH MOUNTING HOLE, WHICH IS IN PERFECT SHAPE, AS SHOWN IN THE PHOTO. CLEARLY THE USE OF POOR MOUNTING PRODUCTS IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE HUSTLER NEWTRONICS CO.
I HAVE BEEN USING THE 75S RESONATOR FOR OVER TEN YEARS, AND HAVE MADE NUMEROUS TRIPS FROM NEW YORK TO FLORIDA WITH THIS RESONATOR ON MY VEHICLE AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH+ WITH NO MOUNTING PROBLEMS OR FAILURES. BEFORE YOU KNOCK A QUALITY PRODUCT, KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT, AND USE THE PROPER QUALITY MOUNTING HARDWARE. MY 75S HUSTLER RESONATOR SITS STRONG AND PROUD ATOP A HUSTLER 54" MAST,AND WILL OUT PERFORM MOST OF THE JUNK ANTENNAS OUT THERE TODAY.
DAVE WB2CMA
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WB2CMA on December 4, 2005
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CORRECTION:LAST LINE OF MY COMMENT.
HANDLES 500+ WATTS WITH EASE, AND
WILL OUT-PERFORM ALL OF THOSE OVER PRICED JUNK ANTENNAS, THAT ARE OUT THERE TODAY
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Warning About Hustler S Resonators
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by WB2CMA on December 4, 2005
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ADDITIONAL NOTE:
THAT ROUND SILVER METAL 3/8" INCH COUPLING ADAPTER TO THE RIGHT OF THE HUSTLER 75S RESONATOR IN THE PHOTO, IS NOT PART OF THE 75S RESONATOR, AND IS NOT A HUSTLER PRODUCT. LIKE SGT JOE FRIDAY WOULD SAY ON (DRAGNET), "JUST THE FACT'S MAAM".
DAVE WB2CMA
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