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:

50:600 ohm, (12:1) CUBE™ Balun/Unun, 1.8-31 MHz Balun/Unun, RX Only/1KW/2KW/3KW PEP, T2FD, Rhombic, End Fed, Flagpole

SKU CB-12-1000TS
$119.95
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50:600 ohm, (12:1) CUBE™ Balun/Unun, 1.8-31 MHz Balun/Unun, RX Only/1KW/2KW/3KW PEP, T2FD, Rhombic, End Fed, Flagpole
Product Details
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Type: New
Input ohms/Output ohms: 50 in/600 out balanced (balun) or unbalunced (unun)
Frequency Range < 2:1 SWR (MHz): 1.8-31
PEP Power Rating (watts): RX only/1000/2000/3000
Insertion Loss (dB): < .1 dB
Input Connector: SO-239
Hardware Type: Stainless Steel
Enclosure Size: 4 x 4 x 2, 3KW = 4 X 4 x 4
Weight (pounds): 2


HF 12:1 Impedance Transformers

12:1 Baluns are useful transformers for 600 ohm balanced loads the impedance at the end of the feed line is 600 ohms (1/2 wavelength feed line), or high impedance feeds for rhombic, T2FD and traveling wave antennas.

12:1 Ununs are useful between coax and long wires with a load impedance near 600 ohms like a beverage antenna. Shortwave listener antennas also can benefit with the 12:1 unun and it may provide a better match than 9:1 ununs – this means quieter noise levels and stronger signals so you can hear distance stations easier.

For end fed antennas, use a 9:1 unun or 12:1 unun - also available in the "Bullet" antenna end fed style (Bullet-12U-500)

Receive only baluns/ununs are rated for 100 watts PEP

All enclosure boxes have 2 side flanges with 1/4" holes.

All of these products are made to order and typical production time is 10 days depending on quantity.


 

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