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:

FT240-3I, ID=1.4", AC/DC/Coax Noise Filter, RFI Range 1-300 MHz, Bulk Pack of 10

SKU F240-31-10
$89.95
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FT240-3I, ID=1.4", AC/DC/Coax Noise Filter, RFI Range 1-300 MHz, Bulk Pack of 10
Product Details
MPN: F240-31-10
Country/Region of Manufacture: China
RFI Range (MHz): 1-300 Mhz
ID-B (in/mm): 1.4/35.6
OD-A (in/mm): 2.4/61
Height-C (in/mm): .5/12.7
Weight (oz/gm): 188 grams
Initial permeability: 1500
Case/Box lot size: 100

Bulk pack of 10 ferrite ring cores - Very useful for AC/DC power, coax cable common mode current suppression. For highest choking resistance, wrap cable through center of ring as many turns as possible. DO NOT use for impedance transformers (2:1, 4:1, 9:1, etc.) - use Mix 43 or Mix 61 for high power.


 

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