Hex Beam A freely distributable presentation for any Amateur Radio organization. Created January 2013 by WN8U
Two kinds of antennas Non-directional: Dipoles, end- feds, NVIS… Verticals… Directional: Beams and Yagis
Traditional beams
Traditional Beams Beam antennas are typically large, heavy, and require a strong tower to support them. That’s expensive. Beam antennas usually only work on three bands or less Beam antennas usually require extensive guying due to wind loads Beam antennas are usually expensive.
What is a Hex Beam? A Hex Beam or hexagonal beam is a two element, directional antenna Can be configured mono-band or multi-band (most common) Typically supports up to six bands (20, 17, 15, 12, 10, 6) No tuner required, no loading coils or traps in design, single feed point, full legal limit, weighs under 25lbs, wind load of under 5 sq ft, and turning radius of 11 ft. Typically better than 6dB of gain, F/B ratio comparable to a 2- element yagi.
What is a Hex Beam? There are two versions of the Hex Beam - The classic Hex Beam by Traffie Technologies - The G3TXQ Broadband Hex Beam We will focus on the G3TXQ Broadband Hex Beam design and it’s variants. Advantages over the classic beam is broader band coverage, better gain and better F/B ratio.
Hex Beam Components
Hex Beam Components
Hex Beam Components
Mounting Because of the light weight and low wind load of a typical Hex Beam, a large tower (Rohn 25G and such) isn’t needed. A push-up mast (such as Rohn 9H50, 35ft, $150 or less) can be used. The push-up mast/hex beam combo is best used with a rotor mounted at the bottom of the mast. A Yaesu G-450 is adequate for such an installation ($250 or less).
Mounting Here is an example of a ground mounted push-up mast with a hex beam:
Mounting Here is an example of a post mounted push-up mast with a hex beam using a thrust bearing for more support:
Mounting Another example, this time of the rotor at the bottom of a post- mounted mast.
Mounting
Mounting Here is an example of a ground mounted push-up mast with a hex beam, using part of the house for additional support:
Mounting
EZNEC – 20m
SWR 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.5 SWR – 20m (typical) 14.000 14.025 14.050 14.075 20 Meters 14.100 14.125 Frequency 14.150 14.175 14.200 14.225 14.250 14.275 14.300 14.325 14.350
SWR – 17m (typical) 17 Meters 1.5 1.4 1.3 SWR 1.2 1.1 1.0 18.068 18.100 18.125 18.168 Frequency
SWR 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 EZNEC – 15m (typical) 21.000 21.025 21.050 21.075 21.100 21.125 21.150 15 Meters 21.175 Frequency 21.200 21.225 21.250 21.275 21.300 21.325 21.350 21.375 21.400 21.425 21.450
EZNEC – 12m (typical) 12 Meters 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.2 SWR 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.0 24.890 24.925 24.950 24.975 24.990 Frequency
SWR 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 28.000 28.050 EZNEC – 10m (typical) 28.100 28.150 28.200 28.250 28.300 28.350 10 Meters 28.400 Frequency 28.450 28.500 28.550 28.600 28.650 28.700 28.750 28.800 28.850 28.900 28.950 29.000
SWR 1.0 1.5 2.0 50.000 50.200 50.400 EZNEC – 6m (typical) 50.600 50.800 51.000 51.200 51.400 6 Meters 51.600 Frequency 51.800 52.000 52.200 52.400 52.600 52.800 53.000 53.200 53.400 53.600 53.800 54.000
How to get one Build Your own: – Base plate – Fiberglass rods – Center post – Support cords – Antenna wire – Odds/ends (hooks, eyelets, coax ends, etc)
Hex Beam Hub
Hex Beam DIY Resources Home Brew Hex Beam Page by W1GQL http://midcoast.com/~w1gql/hex/buildyour.htm G3TXQ Broadband Hexbeam http://www.karinya.net/g3txq/hexbeam/broadband/ KE4NU Broadband Hex Beam http://www.hamuniverse.com/ke4nuhexbeam.html
How to get one There are a number of indivudals who made excellent hex beam kits: – K4KIO – Very popular, requires some tuning – N4NRR – Gaining popularity, pre-tuned – K5BOB – More expensive, uses minimal metal – DX Engineering – Brand Name $500 - $700 average cost.
Portable Hex Beam The folding beam is a 2-element directive antenna for five amateur bands (20/17/15/12/10m band, 6m band optional). It consists of wire elements attached to a support structure in a concentric way. The center post carries the support cords and is a coaxial feeder for the drivers. The driver/reflector arrangements are fixed to the fibreglass spreaders.
Portable Hex Beam
Portable Hex Beam The feed point cord support is molded onto the center post. Connector SO-239 (N type socket optional at no extra cost)
Portable Hex Beam The hub takes up six swivel spreaders and electrically isolates the center post from the mast or rotator underneath
Portable Hex Beam The spreader sections are connected with locking swivel joints
Portable Hex Beam An open swivel joint
Portable Hex Beam The spreader tips have rounded heads with zig zag slots for the support cords
Portable Hex Beam Clamping the wires onto the spreaders is a snap with special clips!
Portable Hex Beam Antenna collapsed to only 1.15 m (45") total length
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