ZS6BKW Center Fed Antenna, 80-6 Meters, 500/1.5KW/5KW PEP rated - FREE shipping in USA
Product Details
Brand: Palomar Engineers
Frequency Band(s): 80-6
Country/Region of Manufacture: USA
Freq Range (MHz):: 3.5-54 Mhz
Power (PEP watts):: 500/1500/5000
Length (ft):: 88 feet Wire and 40 feet Ladder Line
ZS6BKW Center-Fed Antenna — 80–6 Meters (with tuner on some bands)
Work 80–40–20–17–15–12–10–6 meters from a compact, easy-to-trim center-fed wire. Final length is typically ~88 ft total (≈44 ft per side) with ~40 ft of ladder line to a coax interface balun. Ships a bit long (~92 ft) so you can trim to your installation for best SWR. Use a tuner on 80 m (and often 30/15 m). Power options: 500 W, 1.5 kW, 5 kW PEP.
Multiband: 80–6 m Compact: ~88 ft span Feed: ~40 ft ladder line Power: 500 W / 1.5 kW / 5 kW
What it is (and why this version works)
A modernized “G5RV-class” center-fed wire designed for efficient multiband use with a manageable span. It uses a specific ladder-line section (~40 ft) as an impedance transformer so more bands fall near tuner range, while keeping the total horizontal length to ~88 ft, not 135 ft like a full 80 m dipole. Ships at ~92 ft so you can trim for best SWR in your installation.
Bands, tuner use & SWR expectations
- Works: 80–40–20–17–15–12–10–6 m (an ATU typically needed on 80 m; often also on 30/15 m).
- SWR varies with height, ground, and nearby objects; trim wire and/or slightly adjust ladder-line length for best results.
- Expect the best native match when each side is near 44 ft and ladder line is ~40 ft as shipped.
Quick setup (first-time success)
- Hang the center ~30 ft (or higher) with a halyard; keep ends ≥15 ft off ground. Total leg angle 120–180°; avoid <45° on each side.
- Route ~40 ft of ladder line down to the coax interface balun (choose 500 W / 1.5 kW / 5 kW).
- Connect coax from balun to station; add a CMNF at the radio to keep braid-borne noise out.
- Tune-up: try as-shipped lengths first (~46 ft per side). Then trim by folding back the last few feet to target ~44 ft per side.
Tuning tips (lengths, ladder line, tuner)
- Factory ships near 46 ft/side so you can trim toward ~44 ft/side if desired.
- Ladder line: keep around 40 ft. If your installation pushes SWR low in frequency, shorten the ladder line slightly (≤~2 ft) as a fine adjustment.
- Use an ATU on 80 m and often 30/15 m. Reduce power if you suspect balun saturation on difficult matches.
Power & balun choices
- 500 W PEP: MB-1-500-50 (coax ↔ ladder line interface)
- 1.5 kW PEP: CB-1-1500TS
- 5 kW PEP: CB-1-5000TS
- You can upgrade power later by swapping the balun only.
Recommended add-ons:
- MAXI-CHOKER™ at the feed point if you convert to coax-feed sections or need extra isolation.
- CMNF at the radio end to cut braid-borne neighborhood noise.
- Quality weatherproofing for ladder-line/balun junctions.
© Palomar Engineers®.
