Step Four - Making the wire elements

  • The wires and end spacers should be measured, cut and adjusted for the proper lengths in this step. The lengths and spacing on the
    Specifications page are based on use of 16 gauge wire but conversion factors are provided for use of other gauges.  A choice of low
    band or high band can be made. If you are going to be operating exclusively on SSB, I would recommend the high band. But if you are
    going to be operating on both CW and SSB, then the low band would probably be the better choice.

  • Read the pages in the "Understanding It" section for more information on this. In my opinion, the best explanation of hexbeam concepts
    and tuning issues can be found on Steve G3TXQ's web site.

  • The driven element will consist of two pieces of wire for each band; not four. The reflector will also consist of two pieces of wire for each
    band. Each driven element piece will be shaped by the hexbeam structure into an inverted "V" and when arranged next to the other
    piece, will form a "M." Of course, each Reflector piece will be a upright "V" and when arranged next to the other piece, will form a "W." Be
    precise with cutting the wires as an inch can make a difference in the resonant frequency of that band.

  • Each half of each wire element has a non-conducting line on the far end that connects that wire to the spreader. These non-conducting
    lines will be called "spacers." The length of the spacers is important to proper performance of the hexbeam and they are designed here
    so they can be adjusted precisely before installing on the hexbeam.
Site publication date 12/2005
Page revision date 9/2007
With masking tape or envelope
labels tag each wire with its
end spacer attached ("20
Driver, 17 Reflector, etc.") so
as not to get them mixed up.
A good way to handle the
measurement process is to use
a nail in a board so you can
anchor the  wire while
stretching it out to another  on
the floor or driveway.
These strips at Radio Shack
can be easily cut into 12 end
spacer connectors. Two such
packages would be needed.
These connectors will make it
easy to adjust the end spaces.
Get the jumbo size as the
Dacron cord is pretty thick.
Click these photos to enlarge
Remove the plastic from a
#12-#10 ring terminal and
solder it to the end of the wire.
This will be attached later to
the terminal on the center
post. The little utility lighter is
great for soldering if you don't
have a heavy duty soldering
iron. They cost $2-3 at
Walmart in the camping
equipment section.
This wire has been cut for 216
inches for 20 meters and is
shown with the end spacer
already attached.
You will have four end spacer
assemblies per band like this
for a total of 20 for a five band
hexbeam. This end spacer is
used to adjust the space from
the end of the wire to the
spreader where it is connected.
 The spaces for each band's
driver and reflector wires are in
the table on the Specifications
page.
Put another lug on one end of
the end spacers that will be
hooked onto the spreader when
the wires are installed. You
can pry it apart, lay the knotted
Dacron into it and then clamp
it back with pliers.
Adjust the connector screws for
the end spaces found in the
table on the Specifications
page by pulling the wire up to
the right place. Here the 20
meter driver end space of 7.7
inches is shown. Tighten the
connector screws.
Hex beam by K4KIO