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:

982808114 - G5RV/ZS6BKW Antennas
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HF Linear Amplifier RFI Kit - Alpha, Ameritron, HeathKit, Henry, Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, Generic Amps - 4 Filters

RFI-LA-AM
$54.95
In stock
1
Product Details
MPN: RFI-LA-AM
Filter Power Rating (PEP watts): coax cable limit
RFI Suppression Range (MHz): 1-100 MHz

This is a generic linear amplifier RFI kit for AC powered amplifiers. Works on many popular amplifiers including:

ALPHA models – all AC models including 76, 77, 78, 86, 87A, 89, 91B, 99, 274, 374, 8100, 8406, 8410, 9500

AMERITRON models – all AC models including AL80A, AL80B, AL82B, AL572, AL800, AL800H, AL811, AL811H, AL1200

HEATHKIT models – all AC models including SB200, SB201, SB220, SB221, SB230, HA10, HL2200, SB1000

HENRY RADIO models – all AC models including 1K, 2K, 3K, 4K, 5K, 8K

KENWOOD models – all AC models including TL922, TL922A

All AC powered rigs like B&W, Collins, Command, Dentron, Drake, Gonset, Hallicrafters, Hammarlund, Hunter, Icom, Palomar, Palstar, QRO, SBE, Swan, Tokyo Hy-Power, Yaesu

Included are the following chokes and installation guidelines:

RF Input: F240 toroid – 5-9 turns of RG-58 size through center

RF Output: FSB-1 (Big Clamp on) – 3 turns of RG-8 size cable

Relay Cable: FSB-1/2 – multiple turns through choke – ½” diameter hole

AC Power Line: FSB-1 (Big Clamp on) – 3 turns through center

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Display prices in: USD

 

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