1. Presented By Andy Kunik AE8J
Hex Beam
Presented By
Andy Kunik
AE8J

2. What the hex is a Hex Beam?
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
six sides
Upside down umbrella frame
20 meters outer most wire
Solid model design

3. Components of a Hex Beam
Spreaders made from fiberglass, bamboo, PVC pipe and fishing poles
Viewed from above, single band

4. Features of the Hex Beam
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

5. Versions of Hex Beams 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

6. Classic Hex Beam
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

7. Broadband Hex Beam 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

8. Commercially Available Hex Beams
U bolts can crush fiberglass
Coax exposed to elements
Uses hose clamps and tie wraps
Wire clamps hard to adjust

9. AE8J Hex Beam Center hub and aluminum clamps
Compression clamps better than U bolts
Coax feed is inside center post

10. Solid Model Design
Manufacturing Drawings

11. AE8J Center Hub

12. AE8J Hex Beam Wire Spacer made from PVC plastic
Wire slides through spacer
Set screw adjustment

13. Wire Spacer

14. AE8J Hex Beam 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
Initial testing at 6 ft.
Results look promising
Needed to get it higher

15. Tower Project 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

16. Roof Bracket Design

17. Roof Bracket finished product

18. Hinged Base Section

19. Tower Installation

20. Winch and pulley system

21. Crank Up Tower

22. AE8J Hex Beam Project Complete With antenna and Ham IV rotor
Added another 10 ft. tower section

23. Hex Beam VSWR
Ok ! Looks good !
But how does it perform?

24. Hex Beam VSWR

25. EZNEC Model Plots
20 Meters

26. LOTW Logbook

27. References 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