| Top view of a five band classic hexagonal beam antenna showing wires only with no spreaders or other supporting structure. Diameter is 19 feet |
| Top view of a five band G3TXQ hexagonal beam antenna showing wires only with no spreaders or other supporting structure. Diameter is 22 feet |
The forward gain of the G3TXQ hexagonal beam is slightly better than the classic design.
The front/back gain ratio of the G3TXQ hexagonal beam is dramatically better than the
classic design. This means that unwanted signals coming into the transceiver from the
back of the beam will be much less than with the classic hex beam.
classic design. This means that unwanted signals coming into the transceiver from the
back of the beam will be much less than with the classic hex beam.
Azimuthal radiation patterns for the classic hexagonal beam and for the G3TXQ
hexagonal beam. Note the slightly superior forward gain and the significantly superior
front/back performance of the G3TXQ hexagonal beam.
hexagonal beam. Note the slightly superior forward gain and the significantly superior
front/back performance of the G3TXQ hexagonal beam.
| Classic |
...Construction of the G3TXQ broad ...band hexagonal beam is easier ...than the classic heagonal beam.
|
These audio clips were recorded by G3TXQ in
January 2008 from switching back and forth every
3 - 5 seconds between one hexagonal beam and
another aimed 180 degrees to the rear.
Station in Iceland on
20 Meters
20 Meters
Station in USA on
17 Meters
17 Meters
On air recordings to demonstrate front to back
performance of the broad band hexagonal beam
performance of the broad band hexagonal beam
| G3TXQ |
Data for five band beams on 20 meters at 30 feet above good ground. Azimuthal patterns at
29 degrees elevation. SWR for 50 ohm feed.
29 degrees elevation. SWR for 50 ohm feed.
Note that the peak of front/back performance of
the classic version occurs at a frequency that is
relatively high on the SWR curve making it
necessaray to compromise between optimal
SWR and best F/B. Whereas, with the broadband
version, the front/back performance peaks at the
lowest SWR with the result that there is no need
to compromise between these two major goals in
beam perfomance.
the classic version occurs at a frequency that is
relatively high on the SWR curve making it
necessaray to compromise between optimal
SWR and best F/B. Whereas, with the broadband
version, the front/back performance peaks at the
lowest SWR with the result that there is no need
to compromise between these two major goals in
beam perfomance.
The SWR of the G3TXQ hexagonal beam is dramatically better on the low end of the band
making it easier to couple the transceiver to the antenna for maximal power transfer.
making it easier to couple the transceiver to the antenna for maximal power transfer.
Hexagonal Beam by K4KIO
Building the G3TXQ Broad Band Hexagonal Beam
| Site publication date 12/2007 Page revision date 2/2009 |
Other Sites
Understanding the Hexbeam
byG3TXQ
Yahoo hexbeam user group
G3TXQ Broad Band Hex Beam
built by WY3A
Understanding the Hexbeam
byG3TXQ
Yahoo hexbeam user group
G3TXQ Broad Band Hex Beam
built by WY3A
The New G3TXQ Broad Band Hexagonal Beam vs the Classic hexagonal beam
The original or classic hexagonal beam is a proven winner among those who have built one.
However, the classic hexagonal beam has a significant shortcoming that is a result of its
compressed configuration. It is rather narrow banded. In fact, if you design your classic hexagonal
beam for use on the SSB portion of the larger bands such as 20 or 15 meters it will perform quite
well. But you will find that the front to back performance on the CW end of the band is quite
mediocre if not downright unacceptable. You can adjust the wires for resonance at the middle of
the band but then it will be only average in performance on both the SSB and CW sub bands.
In November 2007, Steve Hunt, G3TXQ, developed a major improvement in the classic hexagonal
beam to overcome these bandwidth limitations. The new G3TXQ hexagonal beam is much
broader in its performance and as a result will deliver quite good front to back performance as well
as low SWR over the entire range of frequencies of the larger bands. Below are charts that
illustrate the differences in the classic and broadband hexagonal beams on 20 meters. The only
penalty to be paid for this improved performance is a slightly larger diameter of the broad band.
The five band classic hexagonal beam for 10, 12, 15, 17, 20 meters is about 19 feet in diameter;
the broadband is 22 feet.
This minor difference in size for such a major improvement in performance causes me to
recommend the G3TXQ hexagonal beam over the classic. I have modeled both, I have built both, I
have tested both and I have used both. And I am convinced that the G3TXQ broad band beam is
better.
At the urging of the late L.B. Cebik, W4RNL, Steve recently authored an article featuring the broad
band hexagonal beam in the December 2007 edition of the ham radio on line antenna magazine,
AntenneX. Below is a comparison of the classic and the broad band hexagonal beams.
The original or classic hexagonal beam is a proven winner among those who have built one.
However, the classic hexagonal beam has a significant shortcoming that is a result of its
compressed configuration. It is rather narrow banded. In fact, if you design your classic hexagonal
beam for use on the SSB portion of the larger bands such as 20 or 15 meters it will perform quite
well. But you will find that the front to back performance on the CW end of the band is quite
mediocre if not downright unacceptable. You can adjust the wires for resonance at the middle of
the band but then it will be only average in performance on both the SSB and CW sub bands.
In November 2007, Steve Hunt, G3TXQ, developed a major improvement in the classic hexagonal
beam to overcome these bandwidth limitations. The new G3TXQ hexagonal beam is much
broader in its performance and as a result will deliver quite good front to back performance as well
as low SWR over the entire range of frequencies of the larger bands. Below are charts that
illustrate the differences in the classic and broadband hexagonal beams on 20 meters. The only
penalty to be paid for this improved performance is a slightly larger diameter of the broad band.
The five band classic hexagonal beam for 10, 12, 15, 17, 20 meters is about 19 feet in diameter;
the broadband is 22 feet.
This minor difference in size for such a major improvement in performance causes me to
recommend the G3TXQ hexagonal beam over the classic. I have modeled both, I have built both, I
have tested both and I have used both. And I am convinced that the G3TXQ broad band beam is
better.
At the urging of the late L.B. Cebik, W4RNL, Steve recently authored an article featuring the broad
band hexagonal beam in the December 2007 edition of the ham radio on line antenna magazine,
AntenneX. Below is a comparison of the classic and the broad band hexagonal beams.
Available for purchase
Buy or build a hex beam