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:

Snap On End Fed Feed Line Choke for Non-Resonant and End Fed Half Wave Antennas, RG8X, RG8, up to 38 dB common mode suppression

SKU SOFLC
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Snap On End Fed Feed Line Choke for Non-Resonant and End Fed Half Wave Antennas, RG8X, RG8, up to 38 dB common mode suppression
Product Details
MPN: SOFLC

SNAP On Feed Line Choke

Each end fed antenna needs a feed line choke at the radio end of the coax to stop the antenna common mode current (on the coax braid) from getting into the radio when transmitting and also to stop RFI common mode noise when receiving. A
simple easy to adjust in different places along the coax used as a counterpoise is the snap on ferrite core with a 1" ID (hole) installed as shown in the picture. (coax not included, but you can use RG-8X size for 5 turns and RG-8X size for 3 turns).

Add the Feed line choke (part # SOFLC) to your end fed antenna today today and stop the pesky RFI from getting into your radio and causing RFI, audio distortion or unexpected operation!


NOTE: Coax shown in picture is NOT INCLUDED and is shown as an installation example only. If you want a pre-wound choke check part# JC-1-1500-3 or JC-1-1500-6.


For non-resonant end fed antennas placement of the choke from 10-50 feet away from the antenna feed point to use the coax braid as the counterpoise (since these antennas are really off center fed dipoles with the short side using the coax braid as the count5erpoise. Wind 8-10 turns thru center for an effective 3-30 Mhz choke.


For End fed Half Wave antennas place 3-10 feet from antenna feed point to act as short counterpoise for these voltage fed antennas. Use 8-10 turns.


TECH NOTE: SNAP On Chokes for 80 and 160 meter end fed antennas

If you use RG-8X size cable, use 2 SOFLC if you have 5-6 turns thru the center of each.See picture on left as an example of how to wind the cable.

Double SOFLC for 80OCF jpg - G5RV/ZS6BKW Antennas

Measure 40 feet from the matching unun and then wind 6 turns thru the center of the SOFLC.Close it up and then wind an additional 6 turns thru another SOFLC placed adjacent to the first one and on the radio station side of the coax.See picture to left.

If you use LMR-400 or 1/2" coax cable you will only get 3 turns thru the snap on choke and you will need an additional choke (with an additional 3 turns) in series to provide enough choking on 40 and 80 meters. Part# SOFLC.

SOFLC x 2 for LMR400 jpg - G5RV/ZS6BKW Antennas

In lieu of the 2 chokes shown above, you may also use a F400-31 ring (3” ID) with 6 or more turns which provides a much higher common mode suppression and better antenna tuning on 80 meters. See picture for winding example.

SC 1 5000 Product png - G5RV/ZS6BKW Antennas


 

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