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.
Here are several different 1:1 baluns you can use depending on power requirements:
Excellent features:
*** Covers 40-20-17-12-10 meter ham bands under 2:1 at most heights no tuner required, 80, 15, 6 meter bands require wide range tuner
*** Great digital/FT8 antenna on many bands without tuner
*** Low SWR on many bands or use antenna tuner
*** 500 watts/1.5KW/5KW PEP (SSB-ICAS) options
*** Stainless Steel hardware for long life
*** Halyard Hoist hole for ease of center support installation or hang at ends only
*** Insulated #14 wire for durability
*** High Strength insulators (may be black, white or gray)
*** Ladder Line to 1:1 Balun (Note 1500/5000 Watts CUBE Balun can be mounted to a wall, 500 watts MB-1-500 is supported by ladder line
Super convenient and quick – great for contest operation! Choose 500, 1500 or 5000 watt PEP (use 5KW model for digital modes over 1000 watts).
INSTALLATION
For best results support center at 30+ feet and ends over 15 feet. Angle of feed each side must be great than 45 degrees or 120 – 180 degrees total between each side preferred. Any length of 50 ohm feed line ok (from the matching unit) but longer feed lines over 50 feet may show reduced SWR on some bands due to losses in feed line and soil conductivity, nearby objects, etc. Due to local ground conditions, antenna height and feed line length, SWR may vary from samples shown and an antenna tuner may be required or some bands to bring SWR at end of feed line to acceptable levels.
Antenna Length Note:These antennas are shipped from the factory with each side at 46 feet long (92 feet total) so that you may adjust(shorten) the length for your personal installation.The SWR graph shown for this product is for a side length of 44 feet as this length provides a lower SWR in the 17 meter band than the 46 foot length. The longer 46 foot length tends to shift the SWR curves to the left (lower frequency) which can sometimes be offset by reducing the length of the ladder line (up to 2 feet max). Each antenna installation is unique – try the antenna lengths as received and shorten the wire length by bending back the wires on themselves at the ends as needed.
Use an antenna tuner for 80, 30, 15 meters and reduce power if balun saturation occurs.
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Insulators may be black, grey or white depending on stock at hand when order is placed. Wire is stranded, AWG#14, insulated and black or grey color.
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