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:

Termination Resistor, 500 Ohm Non-Inductive for T2FD, BBTD, Rhombic, 1-61 MHz, 600 Watts

SKU TR-500-600
$99.95
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Termination Resistor, 500 Ohm Non-Inductive for T2FD, BBTD, Rhombic, 1-61 MHz, 600 Watts
Product Details

Broadband, Non-Inductive Termination Resistor load used on many terminated antenna types such as T2FD, Broadband Terminated Dipole (BBTD), Rhombics and others

Resistive Value: 500 ohms (+/- 10%)

SSB (25% duty cycle) rating in Watts: 600

CW/FT8 (50% duty cycle) in watts: 400

Length (tip to tip) Inches: 14"

Width inches: 3"

Inductance < 20 nH (1-61 MHz)


Internal Resistance Wattage: 200 watts

If you need more power rating, consider putting two TR-1000-600 resistors in parallel for a total of 1200 watts at 500 ohms.

Many designs for BBTD antennas using termination resistors at HFLINK.COM

Excellent BBTD Install info by K1FU


 

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