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Reviews For: JK Antennas 6BA-JK

Category: Antennas: HF: Yagi, Quad, Rotary dipole, LPDA

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Review Summary For : JK Antennas 6BA-JK
Reviews: 9MSRP: $2425 + Balun
Description:
40,20,17,15,12,10 Yagi 2 active elements per band, one
feed line in a 22ft Boom
Product is in production
More Info: https://jkantennas.com/antennas.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
1595
AB3TW Rating: 2024-09-23
Well constructed and presented antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just purchased the JK 6BA-JK with the 6 meter add on making it the XR7 version. I have yet to put it in the air so this review is a preliminary review. Packaging was in four boxes and delivered by UPS on two sequential days. Each set of materials for the sub components are in individually identified plastic bags and are labeled as to their intended usage. There are a lot of parts involved in this antenna! I had never build an antenna like this before so my construction times may seem a bit longer than normal. It took me 20 hours over four days to complete the construction of this antenna. This included two telephone calls and one email to Ken at JK with questions. About that, Ken provides outstanding customer service to his customers! He answered each of my questions and guided me through this process. The plan is to mount this antenna next week and I will provide an additional update to this review.

Update: I have been using this antenna for ten days now. I am getting consistent fantastic signal reports back from my contacts. I participate in a evening net on 40 meters and I am very impressed with how much better the reception is and how easily I can now make contacts. This antenna is everything I had hoped it to be.
NG0Z Rating: 2023-11-11
Impressed with the Antenna and the Manufacturer Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased the XR7 version of the 6BA-JK after a year of troubles with a new Mosley PRO-67-C-3.

While the Mosley was very well made with quality materials, the XR7 surpassed it, specifically with the type of fasteners that secure the elements and the transmission elements.

We only had to call Ken once for support but in contrast with my experience with Mosley, he was responsive and is intimately familiar with his antenna.

Out of the box, and with a little adjustment to the 40m elements (small sliders and hose clamps made that easy) the antenna performs as advertised and with low SWR. I use a tuner for the outer edges of the antenna's optimal range but probably don't need to.

The assembly instructions were easy and complete. The organization and labeling of the parts were meticulous. We had it together in a day and a half.

In the months I have had this antenna up, my experience with it has been exemplary. I run ~1KW when chasing DX and even in Minnesota, I cut through pileups easily.

Say what you want about traps, this antenna doesn't need them. It is a joy to crank up the power when needed and not have to worry about melting something (see my Mosley review).

Rotating the antenna, it seems to have more front-to-back than the Mosley and otherwise performs as well or better in every other way.

I am impressed so far. I can confidently recommend JK.

WU9P Rating: 2022-03-29
Great Antenna! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recently installed the 6BA-JK/XR7 (40M to 6M). Received everything well packaged and in good condition. Installation instructions were concise and not to difficult at all to follow. All antenna material and parts were of high quality. Plenty of extra fasteners included. Assembly went very well. It will take some time to assemble this antenna. It took me about 4 days, but it was well worth it. The antenna performs wonderfully. Getting great reports. No problem hearing stations with this antenna. Used my antenna analyzer to check the SWR readings. They were very good on all bands, some better than expected. Antenna is on a tower at approximately 65’. Customer service was excellent! Ken was very helpful and great to deal with. You will not be disappointed with this antenna.
W4SK Rating: 2020-09-05
Versitile Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Installed by KC1XX and W4KW, replacing a Force C31XR and a Force WARC 2/2 lost to a storm. At 72 feet with Phillystran guys. Basically, it's 2-el on each of 6 bands. Does not have the F/B that I am used to, but the construction is far superior to the Force antennas, especially the feed system. Excellent SWR. Definitely would buy it again.
K4FX Rating: 2020-01-07
Great antenna Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I’ve had mine for a year. Superb antenna. Nice low swr on all bands. I too was concerned about only 2 elements but Ken obviously got the spacing dead on for great gain and F/B. I really like having 7 bands (yes I added 6 meters) at my disposal.
You will be happy with this antenna!
K1LU Rating: 2020-01-01
Great antenna, great product quality, a really good value. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Received the JK 6BA three weeks ago and it was up the following day on possibly the coldest day of this winter. Yes I had help. It currently resides at 71 feet on an old Tri-Ex telescoping tower. This antenna has 12 elements spread on a 22 foot boom, 139 lbs. All bands 40 thru 10 except 30M.
I have been using quads and beams since the late 60's so I am familiar with the performance of multi-band antennas. From the packaging to the final screw this antenna is impressive. Speaking of screws, the package included plenty of spare hardware and I still have most of it. All components that make up this antenna are of high quality, including the Balun which comes separately from a different vendor. The antennas pieces lined up exactly, the fits are perfect. All hardware fits properly, no forced actions were required and certainly no drill.
For the most part the antenna was built in the cellar and garage. Elements were mounted to the boom at the base of the tower. The manual is pretty straight forward and is available on line. The pictures are good and seem to be sufficient; one error was noted, on page 19, 2nd paragraph, end of the first line under Step 5. Says "EXCEPT for the 20M driver," should read 40M driver.
Regarding performance, my comments are based on a relatively short usage period---3 weeks. All six of the SWR curves that I've derived at the shack end of the transmission line are similar to those supplied by JK. It was just too cold to do them at the antenna and it was only up at about 27 feet when it was finished being installed, then telescoped up to 71. I've spent a good amount of time on 40M for which the antenna is cut to SSB. It's HOT!
The SWR curve reflects a very reasonable match from 7.025 to 7.250. Elements are longer than the other two 40M beams that I've had, being close to 50 feet. Each element has two HD large coils and a shunt coil at the input. Performance exceeds that of two prior 40M 2 element beams. This conclusion is not based on actual comparison of course, but rather from comments received, signal reports and ease of obtaining domestic and DX contacts. I've worked a few JA's long path, which is not the easiest thing to do from the NE corner of MA.
With regard to the JK company, the communications has been excellent. Ken goes above and beyond and he seeks input on his products. I am confident that if I need any help it will be there upon request.
Operation on the other bands has been promising but not abundant because of propagation and my focus on 40M. It hears very well and the reports received are typically in the same range as with my prior antenna system (4 elements on each band). Of course the front to back ratio does not compare.
I plan to again report on the 6BA in about 6 months during which time I will have operated in a couple of DX contests (Phone and CW) and I will have had more time to evaluate the physical structure and performance in terms of perceived gain, F/B F/S, etc.
W3UUM Rating: 2019-04-17
Solid performer at 75 ft Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After many years using 20-10m 4/5 element mono-banders, a storm forced me into a rebuild. After some research, I decided I would try JK Antennas. Since a future move is on my horizon, I reluctantly decided on one 6BA-JK. My main concern was having only 2 elements on each band.
Performance: I could not have been more surprised! Yes, a little more work than I was used to breaking the bigger pileups on 20m. But breaking the 17-10m pileups has not been as bad as I had thought it was going to be.
The big surprise, 40 meters. I was passing out some points last weekend, during the ARRL DX CT, when a European stopped his run to ask me what I was running. A few months ago a 4Z4 did the same thing.
Construction: I have built/re-built or installed almost every US major brand of antenna. I feel that JK has the best material and construction techniques of any brand that I have experienced.
Convenience: Having 6 bands on one boom, with one feedline was an added pleasure. I have several 6 meter antennas. If you want, add the 6 meter option for 7 bands.
Customer Service: Excellent!! Ken was most helpful in helping me decide on the model and answering my installation questions.
K4HYJ Rating: 2018-12-28
All around good setup Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was ordering a different antenna from Ken until he heard my conditions and recommended this beast. He said I had plenty of tower and rotator to handle it. So I took the plunge and bought the balun also.

I thought the antenna was pricey until I saw the construction. It is very well built and the machining is top notch. Proper tools make this thing go together much faster: deep well sockets and t-handle hex keys made this a breeze.

Since final install on Thanksgiving, I have made a dozen or more 5k+ mile contacts on 40 meters with one call each. I have made a few 7k+ mile contacts on 40 - even busting a pile-up with 110 watts. Performance on other bands is just as good. 10 meters has not been so good due to high SWR in places, but looking at the tips on the elements (with binoculars), they are not symmetrical (my fault). 10 tested OK at 30', so I ASSumed it would be better at 80'. I should have checked it again. I can't imagine how well this thing will perform when band conditions improve!

This a great company to do business with. Ken sent me the 6 meter add-on kit for free due to the longer than expected lead time.
AD6D Rating: 2018-05-03
Solid construction, great performance Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was in contact with several JK antennas I build and install for clients, I like the building and performance, looking for the best option for my small tower I select the 6BA-JK to cover most of the bands in one feed line to get the most of my Station on site and remote and not worry about Hi SWR in any of the bands segments I like to use, I got much more that I was expecting in the performance and I'm more than happy, will recommend no doubt, to complement I got the JK-302 to cover 30m.