Hexbeam Wire Elements - What, Why & How

This video details some basics on Hexbeam wire elements.
If you want to build this Hexbeam -
Video Playlist - • Building the MM0OPX li...
Hexbeam Files - drive.google.c...
K4KIO Website - www.hex-beam.com/

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

This is awesome Colin, I must have missed that in the instructions.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

No probs. Its in Leos small print. Got to look hard for it.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

No probs. Its in Leos small print. Got to look hard for it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Very fine Colin! Love the calculation.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Thanks. After doing this I remembered you spoke of one and found yours. Same thing, just packaged differently.

[@KD9ZHF]

Mr. DXCommander, when will you be selling the DX Commander All Band 2000w SSB/CW/DATA Hexbeam? 😉 You could call it the DXBEAM.

[@epedja]

Very inspirational! Thanks!

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Your welcome 🙏

[@paulsengupta971]

"In cold weather it really does get stiff." - I have a couple of knees like that.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Mine getting that way too....

[@G6DDX]

Thanks Colin. Really looking forward to seeing your high band version 😊

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

If my new centre post idea works it will be even neater.

[@G6DDX]

@@MM0OPXFieldRadio Are you likely to be sticking with the 11mm poles for the highband version or can you drop down a size?

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

I think I will as it will help stability. Could probably go to the 9.5mm poles if you wish as used these on the 15m Moxon and it has longer arms.

[@radiotests]

Great video as usual! Im hoping to have a hex beam one day.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Go for it 👍

[@matthewcoombes9728]

Thanks so much for this Colin. I have nearly completed mine as per your instructions, and it is looking great. Last thing to do is make the wires, however on your spreadsheet the lengths seem to be different to the recalculated lengths on your sheets in the video. Are the lengths on the spreadsheet your final lengths for the 1mm stainless steel wire?

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Very smart spot👌. So the short story is I made the adjustments and remade all the wires. They were roughly 5% out. After doinf this they were slightly too short. The sizes you see in the video are these. I then adjusted circa 2% and added these sizes to the spreadsheet. There are interactions between the wires so the theory doesn't exactly match the practice. Subtract the final video sizes to the spreadsheet sizes and it should be circa 2%. Yes 1mm stainless wire. Please email me some pics when complete 👍

[@matthewcoombes9728]

​@@MM0OPXFieldRadio Thanks for the quick reply. So, for example on 10m you have 2633mm as your final value for the driven elements (in the paper in your vid), so at 2% longer that would be about 2686mm but in the spreadsheet you have 2817mm. It’s just I have made the 10m elements to the spreadsheet now and the total length is far too long for the suggested spreader arm length and is resonant at something like 26 Mhz (very rough test). Just wondering if those numbers in the spreadsheet are a bit out, or perhaps it is something I have mucked up my end. And yes, I will certainly send you some picks when I am done, this has been a really good build so far.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

I'm now doubting myself Matt. The spreadsheet lengths do seem long. The final sizes on the video is what im running. Its not perfect but close enough and not worth charging. I will look at this tonight and change the spreadsheet if need be. There should only be the 1-2% difference. I do apologise if any if you have cut wrong lengths. Remember to check SWR with the beam in the air. Ground has a big effect.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Matt, send me an an email and I will reply with updated sizes. Cheers

[@nickl3872]

Thamk you. I am thinking hard about getting a hex beam

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

You should!

[@RichardDePas]

When you changed the length of the elements, did you also move their position on the spreaders?

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Yes, you need to. Get your element length right first then set the tension.

[@zapoman]

Thanks Collin,I m trying an hexbeam using pvc coated wire of 1 square mm of section.12m and 17m bands show roe>2 , and it increases with power.Do you have any tip for this?Regards

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

I suspect you may have some common mode current. Do you have a choke right at the feedpoint?

[@Andy-up6li]

I have a question, on your 49:1 toroid video can I use 24g magnet wire? Of course using the 2661102002

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Yes, I think it would be fine but its very thin to work with.

[@JayN4GO]

Do you see a difference in the hex vs the moxon for 20m?

[@JayN4GO]

@QRO293 I’m not sure why you mentioned a cob. I said hex and moxon on its target band.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Not a whole lot but its kinda subjective too. I did see more front/back with the Moxon but the Hex still had 20+ db. For practicality/stability the Hex wins too.