IronWave 6 — Technical Overview
Updated: 2025-08-19 — Technical overview validated against IronWave 6 design geometry, feed, and radial strategy.
IronWave 6 — Technical Overview
IronWave 6 is a rugged multiband vertical built for real-world stations that demand predictable results without traps or trimming. The 6 m aluminum radiator and sensible radial plan deliver easy coverage from 40 m to 10 m with strong DX on 20–10 m and tuner-friendly 30/40 m that you can further optimize with raised radials.
- 6 m aluminum radiator (approx. Ø35 mm base), stainless hardware; built for weather and wind.
- Out-of-box: 20–10 m works immediately with 16–32 × 5 m ground radials.
- Power options:
- 3.4 kW ICAS → 1.2 kW Digi CCS
- 2.4 kW ICAS → 850 W Digi CCS
- Apply AL-1100 aluminum paste on all joints for corrosion protection and easy maintenance.
Specs at a Glance
| Mechanical | ~6 m aluminum radiator, base Ø ≈35 mm; stainless fasteners; base-insulated hub for radials. |
|---|---|
| Electrical | Broadband 4:1 UNUN at base; recommended common-mode line isolator down the feedline. |
| Bands | 40–10 m baseline; 20–10 m no trim; 30/40 m tuner-friendly (see raised radial options). |
| Ground system | 16–32 × 5 m ground radials recommended. Optional raised radials for 30/40 m resonance. |
| Power | 3.4 kW ICAS (1.2 kW Digi CCS) or 2.4 kW ICAS (850 W Digi CCS). |
| Feedline | Use at least 11 m of quality 7 mm+ coax to the shack for proper decoupling. |
| Maintenance | Use AL-1100 aluminum paste; re-torque clamps seasonally, especially after storms. |
Operating Bands & Angles
- 20–10 m — Strong DX when paired with 16–32 × 5 m ground radials. No trimming required.
- 30 m — Usable with tuner baseline; add 6 × 8 m raised radials (with 6 × 6 m set) to create a clear 30 m dip for DX.
- 40 m — 6 m radiator is short at 7 MHz; baseline is NVIS-biased. Adding 6 × 6 m raised radials introduces a 40 m dip (often <2:1) and improves efficiency.
Radial Strategy
Upgrade path:
- + 6 × 6 m raised radials (~50 cm AGL): Adds a 40 m dip (<2:1 typical) while retaining 20–10 m coverage.
- + 6 × 8 m raised radials (together with 6 m set): Adds a 30 m resonance for DX. Keep the 5 m ground field in place.
Why the Mixed Radial System Works
On a 6 m radiator, 40 m and 30 m are electrically short (≈0.15–0.2λ). By default, the feedpoint impedance is high and reactive, making those bands tuner-dependent. The 5 m ground radials provide a broadband, low-resistance return path that stabilizes the feed impedance and keeps efficiency high on 20–10 m.
Adding 6 m raised radials (≈0.23λ at 7 MHz) and 8 m raised radials (≈0.27λ at 10 MHz) about 50 cm above ground introduces resonant counterpoises. These wires alter the current envelope on the short vertical, effectively pulling the feedpoint resonance down toward the 40 m and 30 m bands. The ground radial field remains essential, ensuring low resistance and broad efficiency, while the elevated radials act as frequency-selective elements that create distinct low-SWR dips without traps or coils.
The result is a hybrid system: the ground radials provide broadband stability, and the raised radials selectively reshape resonance. This dual approach lets the IronWave 6 achieve useful 2:1 SWR dips on 30 m and 40 m while maintaining strong DX performance on 20–10 m — all with a single 6 m vertical radiator.
Feed System & Choking
- Matching: Base-mounted 4:1 UNUN for a tuner-friendly impedance across 40–10 m.
- Decoupling: Run at least 11 m of coax; place a high-rejection 45 dB common-mode line isolator ≈11–15 m from the base. In multi-op/high-RF sites, add a second isolator at the shack entry.
- Routing: Avoid long parallel runs next to metal fences/gutters; leave a short right-angle departure from the base.
VSWR Sweep
(Indicative) — measured at the base with full radial/ground field and common-mode isolator. Expect small shifts with soil, height, and nearby structures.
- Lay the ground field first; then elevate raised radials (~50 cm AGL).
- Place the 45 dB line isolator 11–15 m from the base; add a second at the shack if needed.
- Use at least 11 m of quality coax and AL-1100 aluminum paste on all joints.
Mini-FAQ
- Is it pre-tuned? — Yes for 20–10 m with the ground field. 30/40 m are tuner-friendly; raised radials create useful dips.
- Do raised radials replace ground radials? — No. They complement the 5 m ground field to add 30/40 m resonance.
- Dip off-frequency? — Lengthen raised radials to move the dip down; shorten to move it up.
- How much power? — 3.4 kW ICAS → 1.2 kW Digi CCS or 2.4 kW ICAS → 850 W Digi CCS, FT8/RTTY-safe within rating.
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