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[ 14 posts ] |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
TF3SI
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Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2011 1:47 pm Posts: 189 Location: Locks Heath, IO90iu
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
ZS6BKW vs something else? I've been using the ZS6BKW multi band aerial for the last 5 or so year and it's work very well. Unfortunately the aerial was on the ground this morning as one of the copper wires going to the ribbon cable has snapped / broken. I could replace it which is not a problem, but as I need to repair it, I thought I should see if anyone has any suggestions for a multi band aerial that would be better than the ZS6BKW. I have about 90ft end to end. My initial thoughts are to repaired it, but I have also been looking at folded diploes as well as doublets for the HF band,
Any thoughts from anyone?
_________________ Siggi G5ECO / TF3SI
Near Southampton
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Fri May 07, 2021 9:22 am |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
G4YVM
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Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:32 pm Posts: 5666 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
Open wire fed doublet gets my vote
_________________ David. G4YVM
www.Bantenna.co.uk
Will a dilithium xtal set send the signals faster or.just warp my key?
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Fri May 07, 2021 10:55 am |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
G0BHD
Contributor 2023
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:46 pm Posts: 28124 Location: Shropshire UK IO82TN
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
As it has "worked very well" up to the minor cable connection failure, I think I would just repair it rather than venture elsewhere in the hope of something untried but maybe prove better. You can repair it quickly, and in the meantime do a bit of more research and deeper questioning as to potentially a later swap out, and still have something "up and running" you have come to trust and rely on. No point jumping out of the frying pan into the fire, if a simple repair job keeps the frying pan you know only too well going in the meantime.
_________________ Dave G0BHD. Been there and got the T shirt, sadly like the T shirt the memory of it has long since faded, gone rather tatty, and finally been consigned to the bin!
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Fri May 07, 2021 11:02 am |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
2E0JGR
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Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:43 pm Posts: 5433 Location: Cumbria IO84pw
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
G4YVM wrote: Open wire fed doublet gets my vote I would also back this one up, all the antennas I tried I always ended up coming back to this.
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Fri May 07, 2021 11:15 am |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
TF3SI
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Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2011 1:47 pm Posts: 189 Location: Locks Heath, IO90iu
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
Thanks guys, I'll do some research on the doublet vs the ZS6BKW. But for the time being I'm going to sort the broken wire so that I can get back on the air.
_________________ Siggi G5ECO / TF3SI
Near Southampton
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Fri May 07, 2021 1:45 pm |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
g3rfh
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Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:09 pm Posts: 220 Location: Cleveleys, Blackpool, Lancashire. LOC IO83LV
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
Doublet gets my vote. I've used a doublet for over 40 years. Fed with open wire feeder, mostly homebrew, and fed with a BALANCED tuner. not a 'normal' tuner with a balun! 73 de Ken G3RFH
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Sat May 08, 2021 9:27 am |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
ei9ju
Contributor 2023
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 4:15 pm Posts: 16302 Location: io65ga, Donegal
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
g3rfh wrote: Doublet gets my vote. I've used a doublet for over 40 years. Fed with open wire feeder, mostly homebrew, and fed with a BALANCED tuner. not a 'normal' tuner with a balun! 73 de Ken G3RFH Which balanced tuner?
_________________ Even duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can muffle the sound.
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Sat May 08, 2021 9:49 am |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
gm0gtu
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Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:11 am Posts: 2195 Location: Nairn, Highlands IO87bn, or Tenerife IL18qa
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
ei9ju wrote: g3rfh wrote: Doublet gets my vote. I've used a doublet for over 40 years. Fed with open wire feeder, mostly homebrew, and fed with a BALANCED tuner. not a 'normal' tuner with a balun! 73 de Ken G3RFH Which balanced tuner? The MFJ ones work well, and are reasonably priced, especially used ones. I bought a high power Nye Viking balanced-line tuner several years ago. It's a beast of a tuner, and takes up a lot of space on the operating bench. I also have high-power versions of the MFJ and Linear Amp. UK balanced tuners. My approx. 50M long doublet works very well fed with balanced-line.
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Sat May 08, 2021 10:17 am |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
TF3SI
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Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2011 1:47 pm Posts: 189 Location: Locks Heath, IO90iu
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
Do you need to feed the ribbon cable back to the tuner next to the rig or can you connect a 4:1 balun at the end of the ribbon cable and have a 50 ohm coax back to the rig?
_________________ Siggi G5ECO / TF3SI
Near Southampton
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Sat May 08, 2021 12:45 pm |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
g3rfh
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Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:09 pm Posts: 220 Location: Cleveleys, Blackpool, Lancashire. LOC IO83LV
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
The MFJ balanced tuners are very good, but I use mostly homebrew ones, PA0FRI S match is a very good one and also homebrew balanced L tuner. Job to get the proper parts now though and they are getting a bit expensive. Forget baluns and coax cable. Very convenient but also very lossy. 73 de Ken G3RFH
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Sun May 09, 2021 9:07 am |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
2E0XXO
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Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2015 9:07 pm Posts: 107 Location: lincoln IO93RF
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
K W ezee match if youy can find one that has not been molested. no lossy baluns in there!
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Sun May 09, 2021 10:56 am |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
G4LNA
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Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:11 pm Posts: 4156 Location: Hertfordshire, IO91st
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
I've been using a doublet for years using a home made double PI matching tuner, but just recently I've converted to a single PI and put the 1:1 Balun on the output and found I'm getting a better balance on the line, plus the Balun does not get warm on any band 80-10m.
I have got a KW109 but found that was quite lossy and the line balance was poor, probably part of the reason why open wire feeders got such a bad name, if the line is balanced properly, the feeders do not radiate.
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Sun May 09, 2021 12:42 pm |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
G0TSH
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Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 7:22 pm Posts: 1815 Location: Doncaster area IO93KP SE61
Feedback: 90 (100%)
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
TF3SI wrote: Do you need to feed the ribbon cable back to the tuner next to the rig or can you connect a 4:1 balun at the end of the ribbon cable and have a 50 ohm coax back to the rig? \ If you dont have a true balanced Tuner the answer is yes, just keep the coax as short as possible. Regards Keith G0TSH
_________________ I fixed it.....................Then again maybe not..........
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Sun May 09, 2021 2:03 pm |
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ZS6BKW vs something else?
Sangoma
Advanced Member
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 1:09 pm Posts: 15847 Location: West Midlands
Feedback: 130 (100%)
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Re: ZS6BKW vs something else?
Results from different antennas also depend on the installation location.
If what you have works well, you may not see a huge or any advantage using something that others say is much better.
What works for each individual depends on if they want the maximum possible, how much they want to spend, how much work they think is worth putting into it, the odds of all that giving them the advantage they hope for, and of course how much space they have and what works best in that available space and location.
How much will the tuner, twin feeder and antenna cost compared to repairing yours and the time taken, and how much is the possible improvement (if in the end there is an improvement) worth.
It also depends on what bands you use, no point in improving performance on a band you have no interest in.
_________________ Gee Three Eee Jay Ess - SARL, EPC
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Mon May 10, 2021 4:07 am |
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