G5RV/ZS6BKW Antennas

The ZS6BKW antenna is a better match for our bands than the G5RV. The method of construction and tuning  is essentially the same for both antennas but the dimensions are different.

Here is the ZS6BKW antenna installed at AK6R fine tuned for the CW/FT8 frequencies on 40-20-17-12-10 meters.  An excellent antenna when installed at 30 feet or higher and no tuner required avoiding the tuner losses and constant retuning.  If you want to work all bands from 80-10 install an antenna tuner between the 1:1 balun and the amplifier and ignore the 39/40 switch.

Is this the best FT8 antenna?  – I think so as I has made over 70,000 contacts and it still is a proven winner -Good world wide DX, easy to install, no tuner and takes full legal limit.

PAL ZS68006 Ant Layout - G5RV/ZS6BKW Antennas

 

Here are several different 1:1 baluns you can use depending on power requirements:

50:450 ohm (9:1) CUBE™ Balun, 1.8-61 MHz, 1.5 KW, SO-239 UHF Input, BBTD, Traveling Wave Antennas

SKU CB-9-1500TS
$119.95
Bulk pricing available for quantities of 2 units or more
Output Connectos
1
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50:450 ohm (9:1) CUBE™ Balun, 1.8-61 MHz, 1.5 KW, SO-239 UHF Input, BBTD, Traveling Wave Antennas
Product Details
MPN: CB-9-1500TS (top studs), CB-9-1500EB (eyebolts)
Country/Region of Manufacture: USA
Input ohms/Output ohms: 50 in / 450 output
Frequency Range < 2:1 SWR (MHz): 1.8-61
PEP Power Rating (watts): 1500
Input Connector: SO-239
Output Connector(s): Top Studs/Side Eyebolts
Hardware Type: Stainless Steel
Enclosure Size: 4" x 4" x 2"
Weight (pounds): 3
Antenna Compatability: Folded Dipole, T2FD, BBTD, ALE

Model CB-9-1500 is a 9:1 multi-core, balanced output balun housed in a water resistant enclosure with top stud/wingnuts (TS) or Eye bolts (halyard top hoist, side eye bolts/outputs) used to translate a 50 ohm input up to 450 ohms at RF power levels up to 1500 watts PEP when used with a matched load. With matched 450 ohm load the SWR over the frequency range 1.8 to 61 MHz is less than 2:1 on the coax feed side. Actual SWR is under 1.25:1 from 1.8-180 MHz so very useful for 30-150 MHz also - see graphs for specific details

Features

* Wide Frequency Range 1.8-161 MHz, usable to 180 MHz < 1.25:1 into resistive load

* High Power, 1500 watts PEP (up to 61 MHz)

* Convenient side tab mounting feet

Many designs for BBTD antennas using 9:1 baluns at HFLINK.COM

We also have the 9:1 with the built-in 1:1 choke/balun in part# CB-9-1-1500EB



 

Here is the Coax Noise Filter used to suppress coax common mode currents (works for all type of antennas)

 

PDF of ZS6BKW at AK6R Construction Article HERE: My ZS6BKW Antenna