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:

442300386 - G5RV/ZS6BKW Antennas
+2

FSB31-1/2, ID=1/2", RFI Range 1-300 MHz, 1 Piece

Store/Ferrite Core Products/Mix 31/Snap On - Mix 31 - RFI Range 1-300 MHz
SKU FSB31-1/2-1
$5.95
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FSB31-1/2, ID=1/2", RFI Range 1-300 MHz, 1 Piece
Store/Ferrite Core Products/Mix 31/Snap On - Mix 31 - RFI Range 1-300 MHz
Product Details
Initial Permeability (@ 10KHz): 1500
Material: MnZn
Max cable size - in/mm: .5/12.7
OD (A) - in/mm: 1.22/31
ID (B) - in/mm: .514/13.1
Length (C) - in/mm: 1.55/5
Z (ohms per bead - single turn 1 MHz): 25
Z (ohms per bead - single turn 5 MHz): 71
Z (ohms per bead - single turn 10 MHz): 100
Z (ohms per bead - single turn 25 MHz): 156
Z (ohms per bead - single turn 100 MHz): 260
Z ohms (per bead - single turn 250 MHz): 260

Ferrite Snap On, ID = .514in/13.1 mm, Mix 31

# Turns of RG-8X = 2

# Turns of RG-213 = 1

Square or Hex sided depending upon inventory stock

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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