EFHW vs ZS6BKW
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- čas přidán 11. 03. 2024
- #hamradio #hf #antenna
In this short video, S9+ (VIP+) Patreon team member Curt Sardeson, KB9JQU, compares his base station antennas as he hunts POTA activator Chris Ray, KR4I. Curt is switching between his EFHW and his ZS6BKW multiband antennas. Of course, the lobes of gain vary between the two antennas, but a 20dB difference is huge.
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73, de N4HNH - Věda a technologie
I have used both recently and the ZS6BKW has outperformed the EFHW. It takes longer to setup but the coverage is greater and I can reach and listen to stations that are farther away. My ZS6BKW antenna is an original built in the 1980’s. It uses twin lead but no separator and not the modern ladder line. I found it in an old 1970’s era EmComm trailer. Hopefully it will help me get ME, NH and AK for my WAS award. 😁
The ZS6BKW is one of my main go-to antennas. I use three wire antennas and one vertical. They have all been featured in many of my videos.
I have a ZS6BKW to put up. I did just talk from MA to Brussels on 15M with a compromised Diamond CP610 vertical with just 5 watts from my FTdx10 with a 56 report. When band conditions are great you don't need much.
You’re absolutely correct. Just about any resonant antenna can make contact during great propagation. Note that the ZS6BKW will require a wide-range antenna matching unit in order to perform on the 15, 30, 60, or 80m bands. Also for the SSB portion of the 10m band. A 40m EFHW can usually perform on the SSB portion of the 10m band, plus the 15, 20, and 40m bands, without needing an antenna matching unit. There are pros and cons to all antennas. It’s ideal to have more than one antenna.
So many variables in HAM radio. The antenna used, its orientation, band conditions and so on. It can be confusing and frustrating to new(er) operators. Perhaps it's best to take what you get from your antenna(s) and be happy with the outcome regardless. "Perfection is the enemy of the good." I currently use an EFHW and am sneaking up on installing a OCFD for 160m. I have no expectation it will be significantly better for all my QSOs. Thanks for the video. 73.
Very well stated, Martin. I tell people to just get some wire in the air. I’ve had two members lately who are struggling to make the “right” antenna choice and install it perfectly. I told them to just get some wire in the there. One was corresponding with me yesterday. And then this video was sent to me today by KB9JQU. I thought it was great timing. Yet, I have shown many antenna comparisons in videos over the past 3 years.
Sometimes my EFHW is better, sometimes it is the ZS6BKW. On 40m usually the ZS6BKW has the edge. At my station for some reason I'm not able to use the ZS6BKW on 15 meters. I'm also lucky that one antenna works better on the CW/SSB/DATA portion of 10m while the other one works better on the AM/FM portion. My lesson learned here is it is good to have options if you can.
There may be some loss in the impedance transformation with the EFHW, as well as where the lobes land. I presume both were at the same elevation.
I wrote about the lobes in the description. But the ZS6BKW generally outperforms an EFHW.