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.
Here are several different 1:1 baluns you can use depending on power requirements:
PURPOSE
These kits are designed to choke common mode currents going into or exiting from your Tuner Genius cables. Filters are supplied for the RF Input (s) RF Outputs, DC power and LAN input. The DC power line choke helps keep common mode current out of the power line which could cause interference to other devices connected to the same power line if not suppressed. The LAN cable choke keeps any RFI off the LAN cable input.
USE
RFI-AT-FLEX-TG Standard kit for tuners with SO2R option and RFI-AT-FLEX-TG3 for tuners with 3 antenna outputs option (1X3).
Note if you use other cables into the tuner such as PTT or otherwise, use FSB31-1/2 snap on ferrites for these lines and wind 2 or more turns thru center if possible. These ferrites sold separately.
KIT INCLUDES
|
Filter Type |
Usage |
SO2R Kit |
3 Antenna Kit |
|
Snap On (1/2” ID) |
DC Power |
1 |
1 |
|
Snap On (1/2” ID) |
Ethernet/LAN input |
1 |
1 |
| FSB31-1 |
RF Output |
2 |
3 |
| FSB31-1 |
RF Input |
2 |
1 |
|
Total Filters |
6 |
6 |
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
SO2R Kit - Part# RFI-AT-FLEX-TG (2 Inputs, 2 Outputs)
RF Output:Snap On Filter (1” ID) – 3 turns (1/2" cable) or 6 turns (1/4" cable) of coax cable through center for each output - Use 1 for channel A and one for channel B Output
RF Input Snap On (1" ID) - 3 turns (1/2" cable) or 6 turns (1/4" cable) of coax cable through center for each input - Use one for channel A and one for channel B Input
Ethernet Cable:Snap On Filter (1/2” ID) – multiple turns through center
DC Power:Snap On Filter (1/2” ID) – 2 or more turns of DC (+ and -) power cord through center
3 Antenna Kit - Part# RFI-AT-FLEX-TG3 (3 Antennas, 1 input)
RF Output:Snap On Filter (1” ID) – 3 turns (1/2" cable) or 6 turns (1/4" cable) of coax cable through center for each output
RF Input Snap On (1" ID) - 3 turns (1/2" cable) or 6 turns (1/4" cable) of coax cable through center for TX input
Ethernet Cable:Snap On Filter (1/2” ID) – multiple turns through center
DC Power:Snap On Filter (1/2” ID) – 2 or more turns of DC (+ and -) power cord through center
Also make sure you connect a good RF ground to the tuner ground post.
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