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:

FSB31-1/4, ID=1/4"/6.3mm, RFI Range 1-300 MHz, Bulk Pack of 5

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: .25/6.3

OD (A) - in/mm: .788/20

ID (B) - in/mm: .26/6.6

Length (C) - in/mm: 1.55/3.94

Z (ohms per bead - single turn 1 MHz): 28

Z (ohms per bead - single turn 5 MHz): 83

Z (ohms per bead - single turn 10 MHz): 105

Z (ohms per bead - single turn 25 MHz): 180

Z (ohms per bead - single turn 100 MHz): 310

Z ohms (per bead - single turn 250 MHz): 240

Ferrite Snap On, ID = .26 in/6.6mm, Mix 31, 5 pieces.

Use for AC/DC, audio/Video/data and RF (coax) cables.

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