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DL1SJN > ANTENNAS 04.02.26 10:54l 61 Lines 2054 Bytes #999 (999) @
BID : 4I0DB0FHN01S
Read: DL1SJN OE5RCO DJ6UX GUEST
Subj: ZS6BKW Variants
Path: DB0FHN
Sent: 260204/0954z @:DB0FHN.#BAY.DEU.EU [JN59NK Nuernberg] obcm1.13 LT:999
From: DL1SJN @ DB0FHN.#BAY.DEU.EU (Sven)
To: ANTENNAS
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The ZS6BKW Junior and Plus variants are essentially scaled versions of the
classic ZS6BKW antenna, where both the dipole elements and ladder line lengths
are adjusted proportionally.
Reference: Classic ZS6BKW
Typical dimensions of the standard ZS6BKW:
Total dipole length: about 27.5 m (2 × 13.75 m)
Ladder line (450 Ω): about 12.2 m
It works well without a tuner on 40m, 20m, 17m, 12m, 10m, and partially 6m; 80m
and 15m are usable with a tuner.
ZS6BKW Junior (about half size)
The Junior is roughly a halved ZS6BKW, designed for smaller spaces but with a
similar multiband concept. Common specs:
Total dipole length: about 14–14.5 m (2 × 7.1 m)
Ladder line/downlead: about 6.5–7.5 m (450 Ω window line)
Key traits compared to the original:
Much shorter, easier to hang between masts or as an inverted-V.
Multiband operation, typically no tuner needed on bands like 10m, 12m, 17m,
20m, 40m (depending on exact dimensions and height).
80m is often not supported or very limited; focus is on higher bands.
Practical tip: Halve all original lengths and fine-tune via SWR measurement.
ZS6BKW Plus (double size, 160m version)
The Plus is an extended ZS6BKW to cover 160m (and 80m) additionally. Common
dimensions (e.g., "ZS6BKW 160–10m"):
Dipole elements: 2 × 27.5 m (total ~55 m)
450 Ω ladder line: ~24.4 m
It's about twice as long overall.
Traits:
Extends usable range down to 160m, often with tuner depending on
height/environment.
Behaves like the standard on higher bands, but resonances and patterns
shift slightly due to larger geometry.
Mechanically demanding (length, sag, mast tension); often built in U-shape,
flat inverted-V, or angled.
Build and Practical Tips
All variants maintain the ZS6BKW's element-to-ladder-line ratio; simple scaling
works, but analyzer fine-tuning is usually needed.
Junior suits limited space if you can skip 80m or accept reduced efficiency
with tuner.
Plus is great for 160m if you have space for 2 × 27.5 m plus ~24 m ladder
line.
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