The line of Hustler trap verticals consist of the 4BTV, 5BTV, and 6BTV. They all share the same design with the higher model numbers having more traps for additional bands. A trap is a parallel resonant circuit that resonates on a particular frequency. This trap’s solid one inch fiberglass design delivers optimum mechanical strength and stability.
All three models are constructed with heavy wall 1.25″ high strength aluminum. The tubing clamps are stainless steel, and allows for adjustments without damaging the aluminum tubing. An extra heavy duty aluminum mounting bracket with high strength insulators make up the base. It handles up to 1.75 in. O.D. mounting mast support.
The hustlers trap verticals can be ground mounted with or without radials, and roof or tower mount with radials. The easiest assembly and tuning of any multi band vertical antenna, and it can be fed with any length 50 ohm coax.
Hustler 4BTV
- Covers 10, 15, 20, and 40 meters
- 1.6:1 SWR at band edges
- Length: 21'5" long
- 1,500 W SSB, 1,000 W power handling
- 15 lbs.
- 55 mph Wind load
Hustler 5BTV
- Covers 10, 15, 20, 40, and 75 or 80 Meters
- 1.6:1 SWR at band edges
- Up to 100 kHz. on 75/80 meters
- Full legal limit CW and SSB 1000 watts CW
- 25'1" long
- 17 lbs.
- 29 lbs.
- 70 mph wind load
Model 6-BTV
- Covers 80, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10180, 40, 30, 20, 15, 100, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 75 or 80 Meters
- 2:1 SWR at band edges
- Up to 100 kHz. on 75/80 meters
- 1500 watts SSB or 1000 watts CW
- 24' long
- 16.5 lbs.
- 45 mph Wind Load
Hustler Trap Verticals
It was easy to build and install, I took my time making sure everything was right. I replaced a 10 meter vertical I had with 48 radials cut for that band. The tuning was acceptable, but I made a few changes to lower the SWR curve since I do CW mostly.
It tunes up nicely on all bands with the internal tuner, and works well with the manual tuner when using the amplifier. Since the radials were already in place I have no comparison with and without radials, and I have yet to add longer ones. It has good performance, it is close to what my sky loop can do, and better than my G5RV Jr.
Working DX is easy, and the vertical is not as noisy as the stories I have heard. I used some of the vertical antenna accessories to improve performance. I wish I had purchased this antenna sooner. My next plan is to add 5 65" radials per side, and I will update the results here when completed.