What Are Hex-Beam Antennas?
HexBeam antennas have been built by several ATS members. These multi-band directional antennas are growing in popularity, due to a number of factors:

  • Relatively small size, compared to dipoles, Yagis, and other beams
  • Good performance
  • Symetrical shape, giving them a relative light wind loading (small rotor size).

Here is a photo of the the second Hexbeam we've built in Ardmore. Jerry ("KD5YPF") is on the 3rd revision of his and Harold ("KD5SAK") is using his revision 3 also. The actual wire antenna is identical in all the different versions. The only changes made are in the supporting structure, that is, the spreaders and the nylon rope that supports the wire. Jerry's latest version may be the strongest but Harold's latest is the most economical. Here are a few photos:

Jerry's (
Jerry's ("KD5YPF") Hex Beam

Harold's (
Harold's ("KD5SAK") Hex Beam

Information from W1GQL's Homebrew Hexbeam website as a source for dimensions, etc. when both were built. The URL to get to that website is:

http://midcoast.com/~w1gql/hex/hexbeam.htm

There is a lot of good info there, as well as links to other hex beam oriented sites. If any of our local Hams wish to build their own hex beam Jerry and Harold will be pleased to offer opinions and advice re such a project. The first and best step in homebrewing a hex beam is to find a source for fiberglass rod of at least eleven feet in length. The several structural problems experienced to date involve substitute materials or modes of joining the shorter fiberglass rod obtained locally. Extremely high shipping costs (about twice the material costs) have been discouraged obtaining longer fiberglass rod. Actually, for Hams still gainfully employed and untroubled by acquistion costs the real best plan would be to buy a hex beam from Traffie Technology.

 

- this page inspired by Harold, KD5SAK