Build a Portable Hexbeam Antenna

In this video, I show the portable hexbeam antenna I recently built. I tell you about the components that are required for you to build one. You can decide whether or not it's worth the trouble to build and deploy.
Buy the center hub from TN07 Engineering: tn07.com/parts...
DIY Hexbeam design plans at: www.Hex-Beam.com
Guy Rings at: www.dxengineeri...
Buy a G3TXQ-based Hexbeam at: www.K4KIO.com

[@aurtisanminer2827]

This is the first time i’ve seen how these antennas are designed. Pretty neat!

[@JosephNievesTech]

Thanks for taking the time to present this antenna design in a intelligible manner. 3D CAD of the hub, spoke and cap arrangement was helpful as well. Seeing a functional model in the field with closeup views was spot on. Many times folks are remiss in their presentation of finer details such as those demonstrated. Thanks, 73 de N2TEE.

[@QRPSchool]

+Joseph Nieves Thank you, Joseph. I appreciate the kind words. - Cliff

[@amanchester26]

Awesome video bud thanks. I just got my Buddihex and will be setting it up in the morning for the CQ WPX contest this weekend. Thanks for great videos!! 73 deKC1FOZ

[@Klaatu-ij9uz]

Outstanding engineering in your efforts!!

[@matthewvangundy8688]

Cliff, I really appreciate the obvious time and effort you put into turning out high quality videos. May I ask what kind of telescopic mast you use and where you found it?

[@QRPSchool]

This is the mast I use. It's from a local (to me) company. Having used the "just okay" MFJ mast that someone else brought to Field Day this past weekend, I really wished I'd had mine: tn07.myshopify.com/products/fp-101-32-telescoping-flagpole

[@matthewvangundy8688]

Thanks!

[@ebaystars]

@@QRPSchool is the link broken ? I get 404

[@kd8opi]

1) You're right when you warn us that the materials and footprint needed to deploy this are portable only in the sense you can carry them - in the same way a mini-fridge or a set of 30 lb. dumbbells are portable. Its more like what you would put up for a weekend than for an afternoon day hike. 2) Your interpretation of the Hex Beam is very cool, and you have a real mind for design. A 1"-2" steel rod driven into the ground with 3-4' above and 3-4 feet below ground that you could slip the mast over would give it stability such that guying may not be necessary if the mast is rigid enough- or you sacrifice some height. S9 antennas built 31' and 43' verticals on this principle, and they're great (well reviewed in QST, the guy sold the company to LDG, who in turn sold it to Alpha Antennas), mines been up for 6 years straight. I could imagine a rotor or stepper motor turning a gear slipped onto the base of the mast in such a set up. Your design is so light weight, that with maybe a stronger hub it could be a permanent antenna. It aint much different than what is out there for purchase. Very nice video, only wish you had a vid with the antenna in use.

[@QRPSchool]

+kd8poi 1) Agreed. My friend Doug puts his in a tent pole bag with a shoulder strap. You can carry the whole thing fairly far from your car - but one should not even dream of hiking with it. 2) When I've tried to deploy this without guying it, there's simply too much flex in the mast at the top. The added weight of the system at the top of my telescopic mast has it swaying dangerously in the breeze. As you point out, I could lower the height and get by without guying it. But then I start to wonder whether it's worth the trouble. A 20m dipole at 33' may be just as good as a hex-beam at 20'. If the hex beam is still better, is it worth the aggravation if the hex beam is only marginally better? It's a tough call. Personally, I don't plan to use the hex beam more than a few times per year. I'm happy with a dipole 99% of the time. "only wish you had a vid with the antenna in use" I wish I had shot a clip showing how the S-meter is affected when turning the antenna toward a station and then away from it. - Cliff

[@1crazynordlander]

I look at the commercial built Hex Beams and think it would be best to save my money and build something myself. $500 on up is a lot of money for any antenna that you might as well throw in the dumpster after you use it once or twice. I live in a very brutal weather climate of SW MN. I have two self supporting towers that I have been thinking about putting up any type of beam antenna. I think I will stick with EFHW or dipole style antennas.

[@jolebole-yt]

4 years later after your comment and the cheapest hexBeam kit is $700. But also getting the parts yourself isnt cheap ether. Just the spreader kit poles are $200. Add a plate, a pole, wire and clamps will get you close to $400 in 2024. Also you need all the tools to prep the plate and the "air coax". So if you want a well bult hexbeam that will resist the elements is not gonna be a cheap adventure nowadays.

[@VintageLabSilvioPinheiro]

Hello Cliff, I have subscribed your video channel and always wait eagerly for another class that you will share with us. Very good tips on the construction of this antenna and allows like to suggest you to try the two elements moxon antenna for portable operations. I live in apartments and still can not put all my radiant system in the building's roof, I am an unconditional fan of portable operations. I have achieved good results in the bands 10 to 15 meters with the Moxon antennas. With only four fishing rods can have an antenna with a gain ratio execelente front / back up usn 12dB, the Moxom surprised me positively in field trials. If one day remember this commentary and test their certainly this model moxon antenna will go into your successful projects gallery. Thank you for you share their knowledge and wish you good winds. 73 PU2SRZ

[@samuelsmith6573]

Awesome design - you should sell kits!

[@eduardopower5254]

Woooow I loved this video! Thanks!!! I would like to see it in action making aome QSOs. I'm wondering how you convert the silver small 6 tubes into the 6 fishing poles. Thanks and 73.

[@QRPSchool]

At the bottom of each fishing pole, there is a cap that can be unscrewed and removed. When you remove the cap, the fishing pole is hollow. You just slide the hollow fishing pole over the metal tubes in the antenna's hub. The water tubing that covers the metal tubes makes the fishing pole fit securely so it doesn't fall off. I should have shown that in the video, Eduardo. Thank you for asking about it. - Cliff

[@flashMXdesigner]

Nice video, the telescopic support pole is from where? I liked the umbrella support in the beginning - probably more stable than the tripod. best and 73

[@QRPSchool]

I got the telescopic fiberglass mast from TN07 Engineering: tn07.com They sale the hexbeam hub that is shown in the video. Ask them about a mast for it. - Cliff

[@cmnall]

This is a very nicely done video, and I'm impressed by the project. I worry that the cheapo plastic on the base of the Wonderpoles is going to cause problems if you intend to use this for any period of time. I'd also be interested in seeing how you priced out all your parts and how much you beat the price of a K4KIO antenna by homebrewing. 73 NF1R

[@QRPSchool]

Clayton Nall Well, the K4KIO Hex Beam is fantastic- but it's not portable. The one-band version of the K4KIO is $379. That doesn't include a mast... just the antenna. The one I built cost $99 for the hub (from TN07 Engineering) and $80 for the 6 spreaders. The rest of the parts were cheap... so about $200 to build the one I show in the video. I would dearly love to have a K4KIO he's beam permanently installed here at my house - but my HOA wouldn't allow that. -Cliff

[@VE3EAL]

Great video. Thanks.

[@322doug]

great video cliff, very informative , I have learned so much from your videos... you are awesome!! KD9GRP

[@davidvaughn7752]

Would have been nice to see your antenna in action.

[@ebaystars]

yep, the proof of the pudding is in the eating

[@k4x4map46]

good stuff!!

[@pp8fa]

Great video, PP8FA (Fabio) Amazonas-Brazil, 73...

[@ytfpv2627]

Nice build! If you are going to using a single band, why not build a moxon instead? You would only need 4 spreaders.

[@QRPSchool]

Hello! I built a Moxon first. Nothing wrong with it. I just wanted to build a hex beam! :-)

[@bashcoder]

Hi Cliff - can you share these 3D prints somewhere like Thingiverse? We miss your videos - post an update once in a while! The new QCX-minis are out this week :-)

[@daveeppley8288]

Great video. What 3D CAD software are you using?

[@QRPSchool]

+Dave Eppley Hello, Dave. It's Tinkercad. It's easy enough for kids but can be used to do more complex things, if desired. I use it for modeling things for 3D printing. For work that requires more precision, I recommend 123D Design. Both Tinkercad and 123D Design are owned by Autodesk and are free of charge. You can get up-to-speed on Tinkercad in an hour or two. Give it a try when you get a chance. It's fun! - Cliff

[@varoujan78]

your right there is more than the theoretical gain, there is the special coupling between the reflecter and radiator, you know where?

[@QRPSchool]

I'm not sure what you are saying. There is not an electrical connection between the reflector and radiator. The radiating wire has an insulated wire/cable/other that physically connects the radiator and reflector, but they are not connected electrically. Think of this as a standard two-element beam with a differently shaped radiator and reflector. I hope this helps. - Cliff

[@gautealarsen2580]

Thanks for the video! 73 de LA2BSA

[@edwymer2226]

Cliff have you tried adding other bands with this so as to be able to use multi bands.?

[@cliffbatson]

Hello, Ed. No, I haven't added any other bands. 20m is my go-to band when working portable during the day so that's the only wire kit I made. My friend Doug Miller (W4DML) made his wire kit into a dual-and 17m/20m and it works fine. - Cliff

[@GMELECTRONICS365]

I can't seem to find the correct spreaders for this type of antenna.

[@tashpaug]

I would like to get one of the center hubs you showed. how do I obtain one? Btw. I really enjoyed the video you did on this antenna. 73 W0ALa

[@QRPSchool]

Hello, Anthony. Send me an email: [e-mail] and I'll forward your email to Doug Miller, the maker of the center hub. Thanks - Cliff

[@mimiheaven1951]

How was swr on 20 meters? Was swr affected by height above ground, and how was swr from 14.150 to 14.350? Thanks !!

[@QRPSchool]

I only use mine for 20m. Since you control 1) the height above ground and it's always the same because you're always deploying it with a particular mast AND 2) you are cutting the wire for the Driver and the Reflector, you can adjust the wire length to get near-perfect SWR. Of course, anything 2:1 or less is great so there's nothing to worry about with this antenna. Have fun! - Cliff

[@radioactive8245]

Can you tell me the measures and gauge of the wire element that you using?

[@QRPSchool]

www.hex-beam.com/specs/

[@Marc.B66]

Cliff. Can i have the stl files of that hexbeam 20m . 73' ON3AOA

[@jdecar1]

Do the graphite Wonderpoles affect the performance of the antenna? Would fiberglass spreaders be better?

[@cliffbatson]

Hello, Jason. These Shakespeare Wonderpoles are fiberglass, not graphite. Fiberglass, being non-conductive, is the right way to go. - Cliff

[@mauryginsberg7720]

So, Can I install several antennas each measured for different bands all on this one structure/washing line? :)

[@QRPSchool]

I built mine for a single band (20 meters) but my friend Doug Miller made one with a 20m wire kit and a separate 17m wire kit. He doesn't try to do both bands with a single wire kit or two kits sharing the same feedpoint... he simply lowers the antenna and installs the other wire kit. You CAN devise a way to hold multiple wire kits at the same time, sharing a common feedpoint, but that's beyond what I wanted to accomplish with mine. - Cliff

[@mauryginsberg7720]

QRP School Thanks a lot for the feedback, I will have a go at this. I bought the big A.R.R.L Antenna book and I will cross reference to see what information it has on these. These do seem an ideal option if you have limited space, I might try hanging a T-Shirt and some socks on it to try bypass the planning permission :) 73

[@adammedeiros6036]

Would you be willing to sell a set of the wire hooks you 3D printed?

[@QRPSchool]

Adam Medeiros - it probably wouldn’t work for you as I printed them with the correct inner diameter to match the outer diameter of my tapered fiberglass spreaders as measured at the exact place. -Cliff

[@jorgeguzman9955]

I need a small compact hex

[@dalemyers5096]

Not trying to reinvent the wheel. But could the hex beam be fed with 450ohm wire. Antennas fed with twin lead are more efficient having a higher than normal swr.

[@QRPSchool]

The hex beam (and any two element beam) is simply a dipole serving as the "driven element" with a (roughly) 5% longer wire behind it, serving as the "reflector". So, if you can feed a dipole with 450 ohm line, you can feed the hex beam with it. However, I don't see any need to do that. - Cliff

[@dalemyers5096]

QRP School last thing. Can or does hex beam come with 75 meter elements. Or is highest band 40 meters.

[@QRPSchool]

For the 20m band, the hex beam is about 25 feet in diameter. You can build it with lightweight fiberglass fishing poles. For 40 meters, double that distance! For 80 meters, double that again!! It's just not practical (possible?) to extend the wire so far from the hub without your homemade spreaders breaking (or at least bending horribly) under their own weight. For 40 meters and lower, I have to use a dipole - but I'm fine with that. - Cliff

[@dalemyers5096]

QRP School , ok. I've seen or heard of the antenna being placed up sidedown on a town. Just a though. 73 kf4dcy

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

after this video im going to take a knap kg6mn

[@j.cabarga5971]

Excellent design - BUT! - too flimsy for permanent install (I know that was NOT your intention), too large/heavy to man-pack. Miniaturize it, and you have a winner; especially if you can make it go to 80M!!!

[@ArthurHau]

Just get some thin 13' bamboo poles from Cragslist for free. Get a thicker bamboo pole as the center pole. Zero cost. Buy a tripod for cameras from an estate sale for $2. drill a couple of holes. Get a level from an estate sale for $1 if you don't have one. Get old wires from an estate sale for $1. God you are making everything look very technical and complicated when in fact the theory behind is sooooooo simple.

[@QRPSchool]

Arthur Hau Perhaps you could build a nice $4 portable hex beam and then make a video about it? Please post a link to it here in the comments. - Cliff

[@TheReconPrepper]

id like to see a video on that myself

[@ArthurHau]

I don't know where you live. But most cities require a building permit for installing a pole that is 15 feet or taller. Why don't you follow my idea and build a cheap hexbeam antenna in your place? It is viable; it just needs some thrifty grey matter. BTW, check the building code at your local county building department or your expensive hexbeam antenna will be demolished just like that. My 2 cents.

[@CrisisGuildWOW]

So in a nutshell, just 3d print everything you need, easy enough if you have a 3d printer that costs as much as a commercial hex beam. Makes sense.

[@QRPSchool]

In a nutshell, buy the center hub at TN07 Engineering and get creative with the rest. Or don't.

[@VE3IPS]

looks like a #d printer is becoming the new ham radio rig to buy

[@QRPSchool]

+John Leonardelli I'm giving a talk to our local radio club on 3D printing and the things you can do with it for the amateur radio hobby. It's still a little early in the life cycle of this technology but things have progressed to where you can be successful without too much frustration. It's a lot of fun and very practical. - Cliff

[@raymondl.3014]

How is the material used in 3D printing affected by sunlight?