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:

Inverted L End Fed Antenna System with Coax Interface including 1:1 feed line choke - 160/80M and 1.5KW/5KW PEP options

SKU PAL-INVL80-1500
$149.95
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List price $199.99
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Inverted L End Fed Antenna System with Coax Interface including 1:1 feed line choke - 160/80M and 1.5KW/5KW PEP options
Product Details
MPN: PAL-INVL80-1500/5000 or PAL-INVL160-1500/5000
Country/Region of Manufacture: USA
Input Connector: SO-239
Output Connector(s): Eyebolts/Wing Nut
Hardware Type: Stainless Steel
Enclosure Size: 4"x4"x 2"(1.5KW), 6"x 6" x 4"(5KW)

Inverted L antenna with radiator and counterpoise for simple installation - choose 80/160 meters and 1.5KW/5KW feed line choke included inside weatherproof enclosure. Separate counterpoise and ground connections

* Complete package - just add coax

* works single band with ease

* can be configured as vertical or inverted L configuration

* Choice of 1.5K, or 5KW PEP rated choke to suit power needs

After many requests we have created a compact, special interface box with internal feed line choke and separate connections for counterpoises (not grounded) and ground connection. The 1:1 choke keeps 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).

80 M radiator/counterpoise is 70 Feet (you get 1 each) - adjust length to your favorite frequency

160 M radiator/counterpoise is 130 Feet (you get 1 each) - adjust length to your favorite frequency

Antenna is tuned to you favorite frequency by shortening the counterpoise (roll it up or cur length) while keeping the radiator length constant.

Choose 1,5KW PEP or 5KW PEP options.

1.5KW and 5KW are in 4" x 4" x 2" enclosure. 1.5KW is 3 pounds, 5KW is 5 pounds. 2 antenna insulators are included.

ADD CMNF-1500 (1.5KW) or CMNF-5000 (5KW) common mode noise filter at radio end of coax to reduce common mode noise up to 6 "S" units on long coax runs!


 

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