Presented By
Andy Kunik
AE8J
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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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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
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There are two versions of the Hexagonal Beam
The classic Hex Beam by Traffie Technologies
And the G3TXQ Broadband Hex Beam
Classic Hex Beam
Broadband Hex Beam
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The original Hex Beam was developed by Mike Traffie N1HXA
Smaller turning radius…. 9 ft.
Rather narrow band
Sold as a kit $1,129 for 5 band array
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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
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U bolts can crush fiberglass
Coax exposed to elements
Uses hose clamps and tie wraps
Wire clamps hard to adjust
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Center hub and aluminum clamps
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Manufacturing Drawings
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Wire Spacer made from PVC plastic
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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
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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
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Project Complete
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
17 Meters
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
SWR
SWR
20 Meters
Frequency
Frequency
12 Meters
15 Meters
SWR
SWR
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
Frequency
1.4
1.2
1.0
Frequency
Frequency
28.700
28.750
28.800
28.850
28.900
28.950
29.000
52.800
53.000
53.200
53.400
53.600
53.800
54.000
28.550
28.500
28.450
28.400
28.350
28.300
28.250
28.200
28.150
28.100
28.050
28.000
28.650
2.0
1.5
1.0
52.600
6 Meters
28.600
Frequency
52.400
52.200
52.000
51.800
51.600
51.400
51.200
51.000
50.800
50.600
50.400
50.200
50.000
SWR
SWR
10 Meters
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
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20 Meters
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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