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I have an "8JK Array" that might be the most interesting antenna I have ever built. Here is what I have found with this antenna:

1) Amazing S/N ratio. Where my SteppIR 2 element is swamped with noise, the 8JK hears the weak DX with very little noise. Sure - the signal is very weak, but I can hear it on the 8JK but NOT on the 2 element SteppIR.

2) It surely must work at low angles - 20 degrees max - because it excels with VK - ZL's on 20M at night, and handily beat the 2 element SteppIR for hearing EU's this morning on 20M. For stations in the U.S - the 8JK seems to be way too low angle - my E-W facing doublet at 60 feet is better for stateside.

3) Its side rejection is almost eerie

I haven't been able to find many threads or discussions of this venerable old antenna - anyone care to share their experiences about their "8JK's?" These must have ben loved in the past - someone wrote a song about them - complete with lyrics and musical notation!

[WW5AA]

I am glad the beam is working for you. I have built several end fed arrays along these lines and the 8JKb on 20 meters. My A3S has always been better both for DX and local however. Nice to see some homebrew still going on!

73 de Lindy

Its nice to see that someone else has tried this array. I know it used to be very popular, but its funny how little I can find about it using Google.

I do know that the Moxon Rectangle has also been very popular - and I have had great success with it. I have also owned a TA-33, MA5B and SteppIR 2 element.

My present DXCC needs make the W8JK the right tool for the job.

I can see where an A3S would be better than any 3 element beam, but I actually wanted a wire antenna with gain, fixed and pointed NE - SW. I tried a 20M half square, but the W8JK is definately much better.

[KE6VG]

Rich, try and model a half-square mounted horizontally. Lower element at 16 ft. upper one at 48 ft. I have not tried this but I know you like crazy things with wire. hi hi. Current feed it at one corner.

[WA2ONH]

For more info on W8JK (SK) John Kraus, check out
this site:

John D. Kraus Memorial Amateur Radio Club
http://www.naapo.org/W8JK/W8JK.htm
History and Pixs on his contributions.

73 de WA2ONH Charlie

KE6VG: that sounds like a pretty cool idea - I will model it.

WA2ONH: thanks - when I see web sites like this one it gives me that warm feeling - that you can do as much with wire as you can with aluminum. I have had fun with the W8JK and in the past - huge success with a Bruce Array on 40M. Cool to see the old time pics of these venerable antennas.

I like radio and antenna history - when I grew up in Newton, NJ, I met a  real pioneer - Bob Morris, W2LV, who lived in the next town. I guess he built the first Empire State Building transmitting station. He worked with Marconi - as I remember, and then RCA I think.

I just put up an antenna that I have used very successfully in the past - a K1WA array for 20 meters. It performs exactly like the 2 element SteppIR yagi that I used to have - of course just on 20M. This means 4.2 db gain and 12 db F/B. The K1WA is MUCH quieter - as it rejects the high angle noise that used to swamp the horizontal yagi.

I have a doublet that I raised from 37 feet to just about 60 feet. WOW - what an amazing difference on 40M and above! Of course - it makes sense - getting it (about) 1/2 wl up on 40M . . .