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:

Multi Ratio 4:1/6:1/9:1 CUBE™ Balun, 1.8-61 MHz, 1.5 KW

Name: Multi Ratio 4:1/6:1/9:1 CUBE™ Balun, 1.8-61 MHz, 1.5 KW
SKU: CB-4-9-1500
Price: 129.95 USD
Availability: InStock

CB-4-9-1500

$129.95

In stock

Quantity:

Product Details

MPN: CB-4-9-1500

Country/Region of Manufacture: USA

Type: Balanced output (BALUN)

Input ohms/Output ohms: 50:200, 50:450

Frequency Range < 2:1 SWR (MHz): 1.8-61 MHz

PEP Power Rating (watts): 1500

1500 Watt 4:1/6:1/9:1 CUBE™ Balun – Model CB-4-9-1500

Model CB-4-9-1500 is a 4:1 and a 9:1 balanced output (balun) housed in a Nema enclosure box (4″ x 4″ x 2″) with a top eyebolt halyard hoist, two side studs for 4:1 and two additional side studs for 9:1 outputs, each capable of input power levels up to 1.5 KW PEP when used with a matched load. The 4:1 ratio takes 50 ohms input and matches to 200 ohms output and the 9:1 ratio takes 50 ohm input and matches to 450 ohms output between 1-61 MHz under 2:1 SWR under matched load conditions.

Now you don’t need to buy two separate baluns or guess which balun to use - you get the 4:1 and the the 9:1 in a single package! – just buy the CB-4-9-1500 and pick the output ratio that best matches your antenna tuner! (Note: you can only use 1 set of outputs at a time)

Application note: If you use 1 of the 4:1 and 1 of the 9:1 terminals on opposite sides, then the output wlll be 300 ohms or a 6:1 balun!

Save this product for later

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