Hexagonal Beam by K4KIO
Building the G3TXQ Broad Band Hexagonal Beam
Available for purchase
Buy or build a hex beam
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Understanding the
Hexbeam byG3TXQ
Yahoo hexbeam user
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G3TXQ Broad Band Hex
Beam built by WY3A
Understanding the
Hexbeam byG3TXQ
Yahoo hexbeam user
group
G3TXQ Broad Band Hex
Beam built by WY3A
Six Steps to build it - Assembly
Now that you have built the components for your hexbeam, all that remains is to assemble them into a completed beam. Just follow these steps.
Table of contents
General
Overall Description
Broadband vs Classic
Six Steps to Build It
The Parts
The Mast
Specs and FAQ's
SWR Results
General
Overall Description
Broadband vs Classic
Six Steps to Build It
The Parts
The Mast
Specs and FAQ's
SWR Results
1. Set the base plate on a table, a 10 gallon paint bucket filled with water or rocks to serve as an assembly foundation.
Assemble the spreaders and insert them into the baseplate using the U bolts.
All the P clips on the spreaders should be on the top side of the spreaders. Make sure each spreader is in line with the opposite spreader and if not, then
loosen the U bolts and readjust. Do not over tighten the U bolts as you can easily crush the spreaders. If the spreaders are starting to flatten, you have
tightened them too much.
2. Install the center post into the baseplate and tighten the two set screws snugly. Do not over tighten as they will penetrate the center post.
3. Install the support cords between each spreader end and the anchor eye bolt on top of the center post. The easiest way to do this is to hook one cord on
the end of one spreader and another on the end of the opposite spreader. Then, standing in the middle, pull both cords up simultaneously and hook them
on the center post eyehook. Repeat this process for another spreader pair and then another as shown here. Fasten the cords to the ends of the spreaders
as shown in step 5.
Assemble the spreaders and insert them into the baseplate using the U bolts.
All the P clips on the spreaders should be on the top side of the spreaders. Make sure each spreader is in line with the opposite spreader and if not, then
loosen the U bolts and readjust. Do not over tighten the U bolts as you can easily crush the spreaders. If the spreaders are starting to flatten, you have
tightened them too much.
2. Install the center post into the baseplate and tighten the two set screws snugly. Do not over tighten as they will penetrate the center post.
3. Install the support cords between each spreader end and the anchor eye bolt on top of the center post. The easiest way to do this is to hook one cord on
the end of one spreader and another on the end of the opposite spreader. Then, standing in the middle, pull both cords up simultaneously and hook them
on the center post eyehook. Repeat this process for another spreader pair and then another as shown here. Fasten the cords to the ends of the spreaders
as shown in step 5.
4. Install the wire sets starting at the highest frequency band. Attach one end to a terminal for
that band and then fish the other end through each of the P clips on the spreaders. Then
attach the other end to the second center post terminal. If the wire will not reach the terminal
without excessive tension, then loosen the P clips for that band and let them slip inward about
1/2 inch each or until the wire reaches. Take small steps in this for better results. Do not have
the wires over taut. This only distorts the shape of the beam and makes the remaining wires
harder to adjust. Tautness does not improve beam performance at all. A little slack is better.
5. After installing all wire sets, make adjustments so that all wires have generally the same
slack and the overall shape of the beam is balanced and symmetrical.
6. Connect the coax to the top of the center post to the 20 meter terminal. Use a small piece of
coax at first in order to make SWR tests before going further. You should see an SWR dip for
each band but the lowest SWR will not be achieved until the beam is raised 20-30 feet.
If you do not get a dip in SWR, make sure all connections of the wires are tight in the terminals
including the coax links.
When finished, be sure to seal the terminals and coax ends to keep moisture out as
contaminated coax will not perform correctly on the beam.
that band and then fish the other end through each of the P clips on the spreaders. Then
attach the other end to the second center post terminal. If the wire will not reach the terminal
without excessive tension, then loosen the P clips for that band and let them slip inward about
1/2 inch each or until the wire reaches. Take small steps in this for better results. Do not have
the wires over taut. This only distorts the shape of the beam and makes the remaining wires
harder to adjust. Tautness does not improve beam performance at all. A little slack is better.
5. After installing all wire sets, make adjustments so that all wires have generally the same
slack and the overall shape of the beam is balanced and symmetrical.
6. Connect the coax to the top of the center post to the 20 meter terminal. Use a small piece of
coax at first in order to make SWR tests before going further. You should see an SWR dip for
each band but the lowest SWR will not be achieved until the beam is raised 20-30 feet.
If you do not get a dip in SWR, make sure all connections of the wires are tight in the terminals
including the coax links.
When finished, be sure to seal the terminals and coax ends to keep moisture out as
contaminated coax will not perform correctly on the beam.
| Site publication date 12/2007 Page revision date 6/2010 Copyright 2009 |