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:

4266368215 - G5RV/ZS6BKW Antennas
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MAXI-CHOKER Coax Line Isolator/Balun, 1-61 MHz, 1.5/3KW, SO-239 In/Stud Output, FLAGPOLE OCF, G5RV, ZS6BKW, BN4000 Replacement, Ladder Line-Coax interface

MC-1-1500LL
$89.95
In stock
1
Product Details
Brand: Palomar Engineers
MPN: MC-1-1500LL or MC-1-3000LL
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Effective Frequency Range (MHz): 1-161
PEP Power Rating (watts): 1500 or 3000 to 61 MHz, 500 watts to 161 Mhz
Choking Impedance Range (ohms): 500-6000 (1-61 Mhz)
Common Mode Attenuation (db): 20-35db
Estimated Insertion Loss (db): .25 db
Input Connector Type: SO-239 female
Output Connector Connector Type: Top Studs
Ground Connector (Y/N): optional
Enclosure Size (LxWxH inches): 8 or 12" long, 2.5 in diameter

MAXI-CHOKER Features:

- Uses proprietary Multi-Mix(TM) technology for maximum choking (up to 5K ohm) and maximum bandwidth

- 1.5 KW or 3 KW PEP Option, 50 ohm SO-239 connectors In dual screw terminal output for ladder line or dipole driven element, etc. effective 1-61 MHz

- Up to -48dB common mode suppression solves tough RFI issues

- Works for all coax fed antennas from 1.8-61 MHz (160-6 meters) - excellent for multi-band beams, verticals, dipoles, off center fed antennas, tri-band beams.

- 2-5 times more choking resistance, wider bandwidth and higher power then competing filters

- great replacement choke for G5RV/ZS6BKW antennas or as a 1:1 ladder line to coax interface for Flagpole OCF type antennas with high common mode choking to isolate the coax braid from becoming part of the antenna.

- Available with ground lug/internal static bleeder option

- Excellent replacement for Hygain BN4000D balun used on beam antennas


MAXI-CHOKER feed line chokes are used to suppress common mode current carried on the outside of the coax braid which is often responsible for receiver noise and RFI in the receiver/transmitter. These chokes are very useful for suppressing RFI common mode current at the antenna feed point or at a ladder line to coax junction, like a G5RV antenna.

Note: Color may be white or black depending on on inventory at time of order. Also available with SO-239 in/Out (MC-1-1500 or MC-1-3000) or with static bleeder/ground (MC-1-1500GB or MC-1-3000GB).





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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