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:

Coax Jumper Choke - RG-8X - RFI Range: 14-30 MHz, -40 dB Noise Reduction, Optimized for Yagi, Log Periodic, CB Antennas

SKU JC-1-1500CB
$29.95
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Coax Jumper Choke - RG-8X - RFI Range: 14-30 MHz, -40 dB Noise Reduction, Optimized for Yagi, Log Periodic, CB Antennas
Product Details
MPN: JC-1-1500
Country/Region of Manufacture: USA

Simple Jumper Feed Line Choke Optimized for 14-30 MHz

The simplest, most cost effective feed line choke is a ferrite ring installed as shown in the picture (at the antenna feed point) to stop feed line radiation or at the radio end of the coax to suppress common mode coax noise current on the coax braid.

Great choke for log periodics, HF beams, CB antennas and others in 14-30 MHz range

Improves antenna pattern by preventing your dipole from becoming a tripole

Suppresses pesky coax braid radiation and RFI

Reduces coax braid common mode current up to -40 dB ( 6 "S" units) on receive

Use one choke for each antenna feed line

Add a double female barrel connector to act as an "extension" of the existing coax.



 

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