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:

1487159527 - G5RV/ZS6BKW Antennas
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Ferrite Ring and Snap On Combo Pack - 10 Rings (1.4" ID) + 10 Snap On Beads (1/2" ID) - Mix 31 (RFI Range 1-300 MHz) FREE USA SHIPPING

FRSCP-31-20
$139.95
In stock
1
Product Details
Brand: Palomar Engineers
UPC: Does not apply
MPN: FRSCP-31-20
Type: NEW
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

This Ferrite Ring and Snap On Combo Pack features our two most popular ferrite filter sizes - the 1.4" ID ring for multiple turns of AC/DC or signal cables and the 1/2" ID snap on for signal cables like ethernet, audio, video, coax or data cables. You get 10 of the rings and ten 1/2" snap on ferrites - plenty to solve a complex RFi problem or several smaller ones.

The filters are useful for RF coax, AC/DC power cables, and device interconnection cables.

Always use a snap on or ring with a larger inside diameter than the diameter of the cable and use multiple turns if possible (2 turns through the snap on is the same as 4 snap ons with 1 turn).

Combo Pack includes the following:

F240-31 ring – 1.4″/35.6mm ID – 10 pieces

FSB31-1/2 – 1/2″/12.7mm ID – 10 pieces

Normal Retail price is $155 for these parts

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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