What is a MW0JZE - G3TXQ Hexbeam?

Configuration

A G3TXQ Hexbeam is a full size 2 element Yagi beam with bent wire elements. From above the driven element resembles the shape of a letter M and the reflector resembles the shape of a letter  U. The Hexbeam can come in mono band or multi band versions with little or no loss of performance in any configuration. Each band acts as a monoband 2 element yagi with no coils or traps, so no loss. The whole antenna is fed with one 50ohm feedline and will require some sort of 1:1 balun/choke as close to the feedpoint as physically possible, this is normally 20m and is close to the top of the centrepost.

 

 

Size

If you have a small area and want a monoband performance antenna then the Hexbeam will suit your needs.  At only 6.5 meters across it will fit inside most gardens. The turning radius is only 3.25 meters. Compare this to a 20m yagi with a span of 10.75 meters and a turning radius of 5.75 meters.

 

 
 
 

Height

From the base of the antenna to the tip of the centre post the whole antenna is 107cm tall, this accommodates all 6 bands from 6M to 20M. As shown in the image below, 6m is the lowest band and all other bands are stacked above it.

 

 
 
 
Comparison

How does the G3TXQ Hexbeam compare with other 2 element multi-band non trapped antennas? There are not many popular multi-band antennas available that are not trapped or that include the WARC bands. The first two that came to mind were the 2 element StepIR, this is a pure yagi antenna with straight elements and no traps mounted on a single boom. The second is the Optibeam OBW 10-5-10 which is more of a Moxon configuration with 2 elements for each band, wire elements and no traps. It does however use 2+ elements for 12m and 10m, not sure what this means but I guess it uses more than 2 elements on these bands in a parasitic format. I think the two comparison antennas are fair comparisons as the StepIR is a pure 2 Element Yagi, the Optibeam OBW10-5-10 is a wire antenna and the Hexbeam is a good mix of both.
 
 
Forward Gain Comparison Chart in DBd + 2.15 for DBi
 
Band 2 Element StepIR OptiBeam OBW10 5 10 6 Band G3TXQ HexBeam
20 4.45 4.2 3.8
17 4.45 4.2 3.2
15 4.35 4.2 3.5
12 4.25 4.4 3.6
10 4.06 4.8 3.6
6 2.85 NA 2.7
Cost £1000+ £1000+ £500 
 
 
Front To Back Comparison Chart in DB

Band 2 Element StepIR OptiBeam OBW10 5 10 6 Band G3TXQ HexBeam
20 21 22 22
17 16 17 19
15 13 15 16
12 11 15 13
10 9 20 16
6 2 NA 11
 Cost  £1000+  £1000+  £500
 
 
Size and Weight Comparison Chart 
 
 Antenna  Weight  Turning Radius
 2 Element StepIR 13.6KG  5.53M
 OptiBeam OBW10 5 10 14KG   4.3M
 6 Band G3TXQ HexBeam 9.5KG  3.25M
 
2011. www.g3txq-hexbeam.com
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