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:

AC/DC Generator RFI Noise Filter Kit = 1" ID - 2 filters

SKU RFI-GEN-1
$39.00
1
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AC/DC Generator RFI Noise Filter Kit = 1" ID - 2 filters
Product Details
MPN: RFI-GEN-1
Type: New
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Filter Power Rating (PEP watts): power rating of cable
RFI Suppression Range (MHz): 1-300 MHz

The RFI generator kit includes 2 snap on filters with 1 inch inside diameter for 1-2 turns of AC generator cable at generator and another 1-2 turns through center at the end of the generator cable near the powered device. The filter near the generator isolates generator power cable and prevents it from acting as an RFI antenna (generator source) and the filter near the powered device prevents the powered device from using the generator cable as an RFI antenna.

Use 2 or more turns through the filter for higher RFI suppression than a single turn (2 turns is 4 times the suppression as 1 turn, 3 turns is 9 times a single turn, etc.)

If you have a generator cable larger than 1/2" diameter, consider the RFI-GEN-3 generator filter with a 3" inside diameter.

Note: generator cable not included.


 

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