Say goodbye to that G5RV! Look at the ZS6BKW


If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXmAcf9MmI

This is post 2541 in a continuing series of simple ham radio antennas.

If you're looking to improve your G5RV HF antenna, then this tutorial from AE4VT and N4UFP is for you!

The video takes us from a design concept to an actual build and test of the ZS6BKW.  According to AE4VT, most of the antenna materials can be found at the nearest hardware store or building supply outlet.  

You may have to buy 450-ohm ladder line through the internet.

While the G5RV is an excellent antenna, the ZS6BKW substantially improves multiband HF coverage.

Here are some comments from AE4VT:

Marc, N4UFP, and I get together to talk about, build and test the ZS6BKW antenna. This is a much MUCH better performer than the heavily marketed G5RV! If you're only going to have one antenna, this is THE ONE to have. Easily built with readily available parts. The only thing you can't really get from your local hardware store is the ladder line, but you can almost always find it at any hamfest or from your favorite ham radio retailer. I can speak from experience as I reached my DXCC Mixed & SSB with this very antenna. So before you go out and purchase that G5RV or another wire antenna, take a look at this. Thanks for visiting! Please leave us a comment, Like & Subscribe! If you really like it, hit the bell icon :) -~-~~-~~~-~~-~- Please watch: "Things To Get at Your Local #Hamfest​" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh7Ti...

-----

Thanks for joining us today.

Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for visiting my Amateur Radio Blog. I value your comments and suggestions. For Amateur Radio Antenna Topics and Discussions, stay here. For Amateur Radio News and Trends, please visit my news site at https://bigislandarrlnews.com.
Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

Popular posts from this blog

Building a ZS6BKW antenna from scratch. Post #1559.

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfUbL_4VCww. The G5RV and its popular variant, the ZS6BKW, are popular multiband HF antennas for radio amateurs. In this video, members of the Stamford Amateur Radio Association W1EE,  show us how to build a ZS6BKW antenna capable of covering the 80 to 6 meter amateur radio bands.  Here are the guidelines offered by this construction team: "The ZS6BKW is the successor to the G5RV. It's a multi-band 80-6 meter wire dipole. ZS6BKW started with the G5RV and then conducted extensive computer modeling to increase the gain, flatten the SWR a bit, and smooth out the lobes. It's also about 10 feet shorter than an equivalent G5RV. The antenna must be fed with 39 feet of 450 ohm ladder line and also must have at least 70 feet of coax feeding the ladder line. The coax and ladder line together form a matching network that brings the SWR below 2:1 (
Read more

Antenna for Condo Backyard-Stealth. Post #1542.

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXTYTytR56A. Don't let deed-restricted properties (HOA/CC&R) stop you from enjoying Amateur Radio.  In this video from AC2RJ, we see how some well-placed trees, a camera tripod, a telescoping fiberglass mast, and a "V" antenna can get you on the air without a lot of effort.  Add an antenna "tuner", a sturdy rig, such as the Yaesu FT-817, a microphone/cw key, and a simple grounding system, and you have a fully functional, nearly invisible ham station in your backyard. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News &
Read more

G5RV Multi Band HF Dipole Antenna. Post #1555.

Image
If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeNHIQ_j4Dk This well-produced and richly illustrated tutorial on the classic G5RV HF Dipole Antenna was presented to the Brandon Amateur Radio Society in Brandon, Florida in 2017 by Bernie Huth (W4BGH).  Bernie does an excellent job of  explaining the pros and cons of this popular HF antenna from the late Louis Varney (G5RV).  Although Varney envisioned his design primarily as a 3/2 wavelength antenna for the 20 meter Amateur Radio band, radio amateurs have used the antenna for multiband use.  The G5RV is an excellent choice for the 20 meter band.  Performance on other HF Amateur Radio bands is good enough to qualify as stand alone HF antenna if you can only erect one HF antenna. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a wee
Read more