Building a Hex Beam Antenna for Ham Radio Contesting
Hex Beam Antenna Installation and Review |
| The hex beam antenna has been installed, and it's time to put it through its paces. The antenna is currently about 10 feet off the ground, which should be sufficient for good performance. |
| Antenna Overview |
| The hex beam antenna from AWK Antennas is a high-performance antenna designed for the 20-6 meter bands. It features a unique hexagonal shape and is constructed with durable materials. |
| Installation and Setup |
| The installation process was relatively straightforward, thanks to the well-marked parts and pre-drilled holes. The antenna comes with a cheap TV rotator, which makes it easy to adjust the direction of the antenna. |
| SWR Plot Analysis |
| The SWR plot for each band was analyzed, and the results are promising. The dip on the 20-meter band is around 14.25 MHz with an SWR of less than 1.4 across all of the phone SSB portion of the band. |
| The other bands also show good results, with the 10-meter band showing a flat response across the entire band. |
| On-Air Performance |
| The antenna performed well during the CQ Worldwide Contest, with many contacts made on various bands. The Yeasu FT-710 radio was used for the test, and it held its own despite not being a contest-grade radio. |
| Conclusion |
| The hex beam antenna from AWK Antennas has exceeded expectations, offering great performance on both receive and transmit. The lack of instructions was not a problem, thanks to the well-marked parts and pre-drilled holes. |
| For those interested in purchasing this antenna, it is recommended to send an email to Paul via his website to gauge demand. |
| Hex Beam Antenna |
| Background |
The Hex Beam antenna is a type of directional antenna designed for amateur radio use. It was first introduced by Mike Traffie, N1HGT, in the early 2000s as a compact and lightweight alternative to traditional Yagi antennas. |
| Design |
The Hex Beam antenna is characterized by its unique hexagonal shape, consisting of six wire elements arranged in a symmetrical pattern. This design allows for a smaller footprint and reduced weight compared to traditional Yagi antennas. |
| Key Features |
- Compact size: typically 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters) in diameter
- Lightweight: usually under 20 pounds (9 kilograms)
- High gain: up to 10 dBi
- Wide bandwidth: can cover multiple amateur radio bands
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| Advantages |
The Hex Beam antenna offers several advantages over traditional Yagi antennas, including:
- Easier installation and transportation due to its compact size and light weight
- Lower wind load, reducing the risk of damage or collapse in strong winds
- Improved durability and resistance to corrosion
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| Applications |
The Hex Beam antenna is suitable for a variety of amateur radio applications, including:
- DXing (long-distance communication)
- Contesting
- Field Day operations
- Portable and emergency communications
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Building a Hex Beam Antenna for Ham Radio Contesting |
The hex beam antenna is a popular choice among ham radio operators, particularly those involved in contesting. Its compact size, light weight, and high gain make it an ideal solution for stations with limited space or those seeking to improve their signal strength. In this article, we will guide you through the process of building a hex beam antenna specifically designed for ham radio contesting. |
Understanding the Hex Beam Antenna Design |
The hex beam antenna is a type of directional antenna that consists of six elements, arranged in a hexagonal pattern. The design provides excellent front-to-back ratio and side rejection, making it suitable for contesting where signal isolation is crucial. The antenna operates on multiple bands, typically from 20m to 6m. |
Materials Needed |
- Fiberglass rods (1/4 inch diameter, 10 feet long) - 6 pieces
- Copper wire (#12 AWG) - 50 feet
- PVC end caps - 6 pieces
- Aluminum tubing (1/2 inch diameter, 10 feet long) - 1 piece
- U-bolts and nuts - 6 sets
- Antenna analyzer or SWR meter
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Building the Hex Beam Antenna |
- Cut the fiberglass rods to the required length for each element. For a standard hex beam, the lengths are:
- Driven element: 10 feet 6 inches
- Director elements: 9 feet 6 inches (4 pieces)
- Reflector elements: 11 feet 6 inches (2 pieces)
- Cut the copper wire into 10-foot lengths and strip the insulation from both ends.
- Attach the U-bolts to the aluminum tubing, spaced evenly apart. These will serve as the element mounts.
- Mount the elements to the tubing using the U-bolts, ensuring they are securely attached and evenly spaced.
- Connect the copper wire to each element, making sure to leave a small loop at the end for tuning.
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Tuning the Hex Beam Antenna |
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Use an antenna analyzer or SWR meter to tune each element for optimal performance. Start with the driven element and adjust the loop until you achieve a 1:1 SWR on your desired frequency. Repeat this process for each director and reflector element.
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Final Assembly and Installation |
- Attach the end caps to the fiberglass rods, ensuring they are securely attached.
- Mount the hex beam antenna to a sturdy support structure, such as a mast or tower. Make sure it is level and secure.
- Connect your coaxial cable to the driven element and route it to your transceiver.
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Conclusion |
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With these steps, you should now have a functional hex beam antenna for ham radio contesting. The compact design and high gain make it an excellent choice for operators seeking to improve their signal strength in limited space. Remember to always follow proper safety precautions when working with electrical components and antennas.
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| Q1: What is a Hex Beam antenna? |
A Hex Beam antenna is a type of directional antenna used in ham radio contesting, known for its high gain and compact size. |
| Q2: Why is the Hex Beam antenna popular among contesters? |
The Hex Beam antenna's popularity stems from its ability to provide high gain, low noise, and a relatively small footprint, making it ideal for contest stations with limited space. |
| Q3: What are the key components of a Hex Beam antenna? |
The main components include six wire elements (hence the name "Hex"), a central hub, and a mast or boom to support the structure. |
| Q4: How do I choose the right wire size for my Hex Beam antenna? |
The choice of wire size depends on the frequency range you plan to operate in, with larger wires suitable for lower frequencies and smaller wires for higher frequencies. |
| Q5: What type of material is best suited for the boom and mast? |
A durable, weather-resistant material like fiberglass or carbon fiber is recommended for the boom and mast to ensure stability and longevity. |
| Q6: Can I build a Hex Beam antenna without specialized tools? |
While some specialized tools can be helpful, it's possible to build a basic Hex Beam antenna with common tools found in most workshops or garages. |
| Q7: How critical is the tuning process for a Hex Beam antenna? |
Tuning is crucial as even small deviations from optimal dimensions can significantly affect the antenna's performance, making precise measurements and adjustments essential. |
| Q8: Can I use a Hex Beam antenna on multiple bands? |
A well-designed Hex Beam antenna can operate effectively across multiple amateur bands with minimal adjustments needed for each band change. |
| Q9: How does the directionality of a Hex Beam antenna compare to other antennas? |
The Hex Beam's directional pattern is generally more focused and has higher gain compared to omnidirectional antennas, but may not offer as broad a beamwidth as some larger directional arrays. |
| Q10: Are there any specific safety considerations when building and using a Hex Beam antenna? |
Yes, precautions should be taken to ensure the antenna is securely mounted, clear of power lines, and safely accessible for maintenance or adjustments. |
| Pioneers/Companies |
Contributions |
| 1. Mike Traffie (N1HXA) |
Designed and popularized the hex beam antenna for amateur radio use. |
| 2. G3TXQ |
Published detailed designs and construction guides for hex beam antennas, making it accessible to a wider audience. |
| 3. K4KIO |
Developed and marketed commercial hex beam antenna products, increasing its adoption among amateur radio operators. |
| 4. Array Solutions |
Manufactures and sells high-quality hex beam antennas for amateur radio contesting and DXing. |
| 5. Hexbeam Antenna by SP7IDX |
Offers a range of hex beam antenna products, including custom designs and accessories. |
| 6. WA1NVC (Don Daso) |
Conducted extensive research and testing on hex beam antennas, publishing papers and articles on their performance and optimization. |
| 7. KJ4VGV |
Designed and built innovative hex beam antenna systems for contesting and DXpeditions. |
| 8. Hexbeam by F6BFH |
Developed a range of compact and lightweight hex beam antennas for portable and emergency use. |
| 9. W8AMZ (Art Zygielbaum) |
Pioneered the use of hex beam antennas in amateur radio contesting, achieving numerous awards and accolades. |
| 10. VA3RJ |
Created detailed tutorials and instructional videos on building and optimizing hex beam antennas for amateur radio operators. |
| Section |
Description |
Technical Details |
| Introduction to Hex Beam Antenna |
The hex beam antenna is a popular choice for ham radio contesting due to its high gain, low weight, and compact size. |
- Frequency range: 20m to 10m (14 MHz to 28 MHz)
- Polarization: Horizontal
- Radiation pattern: Bidirectional
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| Design Considerations |
The design of the hex beam antenna involves several key considerations, including the number of elements, element length, and spacing. |
- Number of elements: 6 (hexagonal shape)
- Element length: Typically 1/2 wavelength at the lowest frequency of operation
- Spacing: Typically 0.5 to 1 wavelength between elements
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| Materials and Construction |
The hex beam antenna can be constructed using a variety of materials, including aluminum tubing, fiberglass rods, and wire. |
- Element material: Aluminum tubing (e.g., 1/4 inch diameter)
- Hub material: Fiberglass rod or PVC pipe
- Wire material: Copper or copper-clad aluminum
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| Element Design and Construction |
The elements of the hex beam antenna are typically constructed using a folded dipole design. |
- Element length: Folded dipole with 1/4 wavelength stubs
- Wire gauge: #14 or #16 AWG
- Insulation: Electrical tape or heat shrink tubing
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| Hub Design and Construction |
The hub of the hex beam antenna serves as the connection point for the elements. |
- Hub material: Fiberglass rod or PVC pipe (1/4 inch diameter)
- Element attachment: Wire wrap or soldered connections
- Insulation: Electrical tape or heat shrink tubing
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| Matching Network and Feedline |
A matching network is required to match the impedance of the hex beam antenna to the feedline. |
- Matching network: gamma match or T-match
- Feedline: 50-ohm coaxial cable (e.g., RG-213)
- Connector type: N-type or UHF connector
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| Performance Characteristics |
The performance characteristics of the hex beam antenna include gain, front-to-back ratio, and bandwidth. |
- Gain: Typically 10-12 dBi at 20m
- Front-to-back ratio: Typically 15-20 dB
- Bandwidth: Typically 500 kHz to 1 MHz
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| Tuning and Optimization |
The hex beam antenna requires tuning and optimization to achieve optimal performance. |
- Tuning method: SWR measurement or antenna analyzer
- Optimization parameters: Element length, spacing, and matching network components
- Tools required: Antenna analyzer, SWR meter, and wire cutters/pliers
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