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Hex Beam

Hex Beam. Presented By Andy Kunik AE8J. What the hex is a Hex Beam?. The “Hex Beam” or Hexagonal Beam is a two element, directional, wire antenna. It can be configured as a monoband or multiband antenna Can be designed for up to six bands Mostly practical for 20 meters and above.

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Hex Beam

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  1. Hex Beam Presented By Andy Kunik AE8J

  2. What the hex is a Hex Beam? • The “Hex Beam” or Hexagonal Beam is a two element, directional, wire antenna. • It can be configured as a monoband or multiband antenna • Can be designed for up to six bands • Mostly practical for 20 meters and above

  3. Components of a Hex Beam

  4. Features of the Hex Beam • Six bands low SWR 20, 17, 15, 12, 10 and 6 Meters • Broadband characteristics • No antenna tuner required • No loading coils or traps • Light weight…. 25 lbs. • Low wind load…. < 5 sq. ft. • Single coax feed • Can handle full power • Gain and F/B ratio comparable to a 2 element yagi • Better than 6 dBi gain • Performs well at low heights…. 30 ft. • Small turning radius…. 11 ft. • Easy to build

  5. Versions of Hex Beams • There are two versions of the Hexagonal Beam The classic Hex Beam by Traffie Technologies And the G3TXQ Broadband Hex Beam Classic Hex BeamBroadband Hex Beam

  6. Classic Hex Beam • The original Hex Beam was developed by Mike TraffieN1HXA • Smaller turning radius…. 9 ft. • Rather narrow band • Sold as a kit $1,129 for 5 band array

  7. Broadband Hex Beam • Developed by Steve Hunt G3TXQ • More Broadband • Slightly better gain and F/B ratio • Slightly larger turning radius…11 ft. • Sold as a kit by DX Engineering… $600 for 5 band array • Hexagonal Beam Antennas by NA4RR $450 for 6 band array

  8. Commercially AvailableHex Beams • U bolts can crush fiberglass • Coax exposed to elements • Uses hose clamps and tie wraps • Wire clamps hard to adjust

  9. AE8J Hex Beam • Center hub and aluminum clamps

  10. Solid Model Design • Manufacturing Drawings

  11. AE8J Center Hub

  12. AE8J Hex Beam • Wire Spacer made from PVC plastic

  13. Wire Spacer

  14. AE8J Hex Beam • Center hub all aluminum with compression clamps • Spreaders are telescoping fiberglass glued with marine epoxy • Coax runs inside center support mast • Stainless Steel hardware • Dacron tip spacers • 14 Ga. insulated wire • Wire spacers are PVC

  15. Tower Project • Easy access to antenna • Telescoping or tilt over • Minimum height 30 ft. • No guy wires • Rohn 25g • House (roof) bracket • Tilt over base section • Winch and pulley system

  16. Roof Bracket Design

  17. Roof Bracketfinished product

  18. Hinged Base Section

  19. Tower Installation

  20. Winch and pulley system

  21. Crank Up Tower

  22. AE8J Hex Beam • Project Complete

  23. Hex Beam VSWR

  24. Hex Beam VSWR

  25. EZNEC Model Plots • 20 Meters

  26. LOTW Logbook

  27. References • Homebrew Hexbeam Page by W1GQL • Hexagonal Beam by K4KIO • Understanding the Hex Beam by G3TXQ • March 2009 QST Building a five band broadband Hexagonal Beam by K4KIO • Max-Gain Systems • Traffie Technology • DX Engineering • NA4RR Hexagonal Beam Antennas

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