his site provides guidelines to build a G3TXQ broad band hexagonal beam R.F. antenna for
the five amateur radio bands, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters. This antenna is featured in the
March 2009 edition of QST magazine.
The hexagonal beam offers a number of features as follows:
- Gain and front/back comparable to a two element yagi.
- Five bands with low SWR
- Broad band characteristics
- Low weight and low wind load
- Construction from general hardware components
- Ease of adjustment
If you have been to other sites on construction of the hexagonal beam you might be a bit confused.
You see, some sites tell you how to build the “original” hexagonal beam which is patterned after the
design of the HEX-BEAM, a trade marked product of Traffie Technologies. The wires for this original
design for a single band look from above, like an “M” over a “W”.
This original design is a good antenna and owners of the HEX-BEAM are quite vocal about its
Hexagonal Beam by K4KIO
Building the G3TXQ Broad Band Hexagonal Beam
Available for purchase
performance as were builders of the homebrew version. I used to be one of the homebrew
builders and was so enthusiastic that I published a set of guidelines like these to help others
build one.
But, things have progressed a little and thanks to the exhaustive work of Steve Hunt, G3TXQ, a
slightly different configuration of the hexagonal beam has been discovered. Viewed from above
the wires for a single bander look like the sketch to the right.
Which one is better? Well, owners of the HEX-BEAM are very loyal. But homebrewers are all
building the G3TXQ version of the hexagonal beam instead of the original. Many builders of the
original version, like me have even converted to the G3TXQ broad band hexagonal beam. And
here is the reason why.
Original Hex-beam
Broad band Hexagonal beam
Site publication date 12/2007
Page revision date 7/2009
Copyright 2009
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