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:

Hybrid 2:1 Current Balun + 1:1 Current Balun in one enclosure, 1.8-61 MHz, 1.5/5KW PEP - Loop Antenna

SKU CB-2-1-1500EB
$139.95
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Hybrid 2:1 Current Balun + 1:1 Current Balun in one enclosure, 1.8-61 MHz, 1.5/5KW PEP - Loop Antenna
Product Details
MPN: CB-2-1-1500/5000EB or TS option
Country/Region of Manufacture: USA
Input ohms/Output ohms: 50 in/100 out
Frequency Range < 2:1 SWR (MHz): 1.8-61 MHz
PEP Power Rating (watts): 1.5KW or 5KW
Enclosure Size: 4"x4"x 2"(1.5KW), 6"x6"x4" (5KW)
Weight (pounds): 3 (1.5KW), 5 (5KW)
Antenna Compatability: Single Band Loop


After many requests we have created a compact, special balun for single band loop (Sky loop or Delta loop) antennas. The CB-2-1-1500 is a CUBE(TM) enclosure containing a multi-core, broadband 2:1 impedance transformer (50 ohm coax input to 100 ohm balanced output) in series with a 1:1 current balun for extra common mode current choking to keep RF current off the outside of the coax braid and on the antenna where it belongs. The extra choking action also means that the coax feed line will not act as a radiator causing unnecessary RF interference (RFI). Rated for full 1500 watts PEP and 450 watts CW (ICAS). 1.8Mhz – 61 MHz.

CB-2-1-1500EB is housed in a 4” x 4” x 2” waterproof housing with SO-239 input and stainless steel eye bolts on the side for ease of connection to your wire antenna. Top eye bolt acts as an antenna hoist. Also available with top studs for post or wall mounting (Model # CB-2-1-1500TS)

Loop antennas should be cut for 1005/F(MHz) in total length, where F (MHz) is the lowest frequency to be used. For 3.5MHz this equates to 288 foot perimeter (square, delta, multi-side ok).


 

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