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.
Here are several different 1:1 baluns you can use depending on power requirements:
After many requests we have created a compact, special balun for single band loop (Sky loop or Delta loop) antennas. The CB-2.25-1500 is a CUBE(TM) enclosure containing a multi-core, broadband 2:25 impedance transformer (50 ohm coax input to 112.5 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-2.25-1-1500EB 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-2.25-1-1500TS)
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).
Production Note: These hybrid baluns are special order and made to order for each customer. Please note that shipping will be approximately 2-3 weeks after order placed depending upon our existing production schedule.
Pictures show 2-1 balun but you will receive the 2.25:1 balun with 1:1 hybrid in a single enclosure.
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