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:

Dipole/OCF/ZS6 Antenna Wire Kits (160-6 meters)

SKU DWK-6
$22.95
Dipole Band
1
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Dipole/OCF/ZS6 Antenna Wire Kits (160-6 meters)
Product Details
Brand: Palomar Engineers, Inc.
Country/Region of Manufacture: USA

Dipole Antenna Wire Kit for dipoles from 160 meters to 6 meter. Includes 2 end insulators, #14 Insulated stranded copper wire and spade lugs and heat shrink for lugs for attachment to an optional balun (use 1:1 balun for most dipole arrangements).

The OCF Antenna Wire kits are for 80 meters (95 feet + 40 feet) that covers 80-40-20-17-15-12-10-6 meters or 40 meters (12 feet and 53 feet) that covers 40-20-17-15-12-10-6 meters or 160 Meters with additional tuning stub for 40/20. See OCF Manuals in Antenna downloads section for additional dimensions and setup.

Insulators are a very stealthy, strong, pair of 2 PVC, 2 1/4" long. 1" wide. 1 1/8" hole separation wire antenna insulators and may be black, gray or white depending upon inventory



 

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