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Cal-av labs, inc. (formerly california avionics laboratories, inc.) manufactures electronic instruments and systems for research and industry. we specialize in radio communications and research/electronic test products. Amateur radio yagi antennas, rotary dipoles, baluns, morse keys.

Diagram and sample ferrite balaun for 1.8-30 MHz

Baluns for amateur and commercial radio.

A 1:1 current balun that offeres a almost flat swr curve from 1 to 30 MHz

Receiving Common Mode Noise shows how lack of a balun can contribute to system noise

Ferrite Toroids. Iron Powder Toroids. Ferrite Beads. Split Cores. Cable clamp-ons. Balun Cores. W2FMI Baluns and Ununs. Inductive components for EMI Suppression and RFI Suppresion, power supplies, HAM radio.

The page discusses Axial-Mode Helical Antennas, focusing on turning helical antennas over perfect ground and modeling helices in NEC-2 for optimized design. It covers topics such as high-gain performance, broadband, impedance matching, radiation pattern, feedline, balun, near field, far field, and DIY applications.

An impedance transformer (9:1) to feed a high impedance long wire (~450 ohm), down to a 50 ohm unbalanced coaxial input.

Balun Designs wind high quality baluns and ununs for Amateur Radio and commercial applications based on the researched and tested designs of Dr. Jerry Sevick, W2FMI.

The Coaxman by Clear Signal Products, Inc. features a complete Wireman line of coaxial cable and antenna wire. Antenna wire, baluns, coax connectors, insulators, ladder line, magnet wire, rope.

The ZS6BKW antenna, a popular multiband wire antenna, offers improved band matching compared to the traditional G5RV. This construction guide details the process, beginning with specific dimensions: 13.11 meters (43 feet) for the 450-ohm ladder line and initial dipole arm lengths of approximately 14.8 meters each. It emphasizes the critical role of an _antenna analyzer_ for accurate tuning, particularly for determining the velocity factor of the ladder line and achieving a 1:1 impedance match. The article outlines the materials required, including a 1:1 current balun, 450-ohm window line, wire for the dipole arms, and a 50-ohm non-inductive resistor for testing. It provides a step-by-step procedure for cutting the ladder line to its electrical half-wavelength, explaining how to calculate the velocity factor using measured and free-space frequencies. For instance, a measured 50-ohm impedance at 12.54 MHz with a calculated free-space half-wavelength frequency of 11.44 MHz yields a velocity factor of 0.91. Final adjustments involve hoisting the antenna to its operational height and fine-tuning the dipole arm lengths to achieve optimal SWR, specifically targeting 14.200 MHz. The _ZS6BKW_ design is noted for its performance on 80m, 40m, 20m, 10m, and 6m, though it is not optimized for 15m operation. The author, _VK4MDX_, shares practical tips for durable construction using stainless steel wire and cable clamps.

Demonstrates the design and construction of a compact, portable multi-band mini-delta loop antenna, specifically optimized for /P (portable) operations from remote locations like Scottish islands. The resource covers the theoretical underpinnings of half-wave loops, contrasting closed and open configurations, and then details the application of a folded dipole principle to achieve a 50-ohm match for direct coax feed. It presents empirical formulas for calculating element lengths, considering the velocity factor of common wire types, and provides a detailed example for a 20m (14.175 MHz) version. The article includes a comprehensive table of dimensions and allowances for a five-band (20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m) mini-delta beam, along with construction hints for the central support and balun. It specifies a 1:1 trifilar balun wound on a ferrite rod and describes the antenna adjustment process using an _MFJ-259B Antenna Analyser_. Initial test results indicate an SWR of 1:1 at resonance and a bandwidth of approximately 240 kHz on 20m, even at a low height of five feet above ground. The distinctive utility lies in its focus on a practical, easily deployable beam antenna for portable DXing, offering a viable alternative to more complex or larger arrays.

A long wire balun by ON6MU

AA5TB homemade balun article

Circuit diagrams drake tr7, Schaltbilder Drake Tr7, antenna tuners, baluns, and home brew power supplies, dual tone ssb test generator, zweiton ssb test generator, zweiton testgenerator, dual tone test generator by DK4DDS

An end-fed halfwave antenna for 20 meters band with balun pictures and description by PD7MAA

Over 1,000 stations in approximately 60 countries were worked using this modified twin-lead folded dipole, demonstrating its effectiveness with just 4 watts on 20 meters. This design, adapted from an ARRL Handbook concept, eliminates the shorting strap found in traditional folded dipoles, simplifying construction while maintaining performance. It utilizes readily available 300-ohm TV antenna feeder ribbon, making it a cost-effective solution for radio amateurs. The antenna's robust construction allows it to handle up to 100 watts without issues, even without a **balun**. The inclusion of a variable trimmer capacitor at the stub provides flexibility for tuning across different frequencies within a band, a practical feature for operators using transceivers like the Icom 735. Formulas are provided to calculate the precise dimensions for any desired operating frequency, enabling customization for various **HF bands**.

A balun is a MUST for dipoles or similar antennas when they are feed with coaxial cables. Many hams connect the center conductor of the coaxial cable to one side of the dipole, and the shield to the other. Wrong!

About different baluns types. Samples and schematics for several ratios baluns in french

EA4EOZ home made baluns

Baluns / Ununs design and acceptable power

How test a Balun quality by W8JI

Collection of different techniques to homebrew PVC yagi antennas, including elements assembling, baluns and chokes, radiator box tips and tricks by dk7zb

Some antenna manufacturers place baluns at the incorrect location in LPDA arrays. If we consider what the balun does we can see how the mistake occurs.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of baluns, which are devices used to connect balanced loads, like dipole antennas, to unbalanced inputs, such as coaxial cables. It covers various types of baluns, including voltage and current baluns, and their design, construction, and testing. The text discusses the importance of baluns in preventing RF currents on coax shields and their applications in Ham radio setups. It also includes practical advice on selecting and using baluns based on antenna impedance and power ratings, along with detailed performance evaluations and construction tips for different balun configurations.

A homemade VHF/UHF vertical antenna made essentially with RG58 coax cable, with a 9 turns choke balun to prevent the shield acting as a RF Radiator.

1:1 Ruthroff voltage balun using a T200-2 Toroid core

EWE Antenna plan with a 9:1 balun

A method for supporting a balun on a Chushcraft A3S antenna. This allows the balun to be isolated from the boom, thus reducing the effect of introduction of reaction with the balun core.

Centre fed half wave dipoles make great, simple and effective antennas for the HF bands. Sometimes however, the centre feed is not ideal. This great project will improve the overall antenna performance.

A magnetic longwire unun with a T130-2 Iron Powder core by M0UKD

Understanding and solving RF interference problems using ferrite

A complete guide to Baluns and transformers by WK5AJL

Balun case construction, tipically to host toroid cores. Size of case depends on power to handle. By DL5DBM

Optimizing a G5RV or ZS6BKW multiband wire antenna for HF operation often involves addressing common SWR issues and understanding feedline characteristics. This resource chronicles the construction and performance evaluation of a G5RV, initially built for 80m, 40m, 15m, and 10m bands, by a newly licensed Foundation operator. The author details the selection of materials, including 3.5 mm stainless steel wire for the doublet arms and enameled copper wire for the open-wire feeder, and the initial decision to omit a balun based on common online information. The narrative highlights the initial disappointing performance, characterized by high receive noise and poor signal reports on 80 meters, despite the transceiver's internal ATU achieving a 1:1 match. This led to experimentation with a coax current balun and further research into G5RV myths, such as SWR claims and the necessity of a balun. The author then describes modifying the antenna to the ZS6BKW configuration, which involves specific changes to the doublet and feedline lengths, and integrating a 1:1 current balun wound on a ferrite toroid. The modifications resulted in improved reception and transmit performance across the bands.

Italian page about a home made a 1 to 40 balun with pictures and measurements on HF bands.

One point eight MHz to 30 MHz is the operational bandwidth for this 4:1 Ruthroff voltage balun, designed to interface an unbalanced T-Match network with a balanced antenna system. The project details the construction using a _T200-2_ powdered iron toroid core, tightly wrapped in PVC electrical tape for insulation, and wound with 17 double bifilar turns of 1.25mm enamelled copper wire. This outboard balun offers flexibility, allowing hams to trial various baluns based on antenna system and impedance characteristics, rather than integrating it directly into the tuner. The resource includes a schematic of the balun, a wiring diagram showing winding connections, and a table suggesting alternative toroid cores like the T80-2 or T400-2 with corresponding winding counts. Component sourcing is straightforward, listing items such as the _Amidon_ T-200-2 core, SO-239 connector, and a sealed polycarbonate enclosure from Jaycar. Performance evaluation was conducted using an _AIM 4170C_ antenna analyser, demonstrating efficient 1:4 voltage transformation across the specified HF spectrum. Further efficiency tests involved measuring RF power loss at various frequencies, revealing minimal loss—less than 0.7 dB from 3.6 MHz to 30 MHz, and only 2.0 dB at 1.8 MHz. These measurements, performed under ideal 50-ohm conditions, confirm the balun's effectiveness as a low-loss interface for multi-band antenna systems. The page also links to several other balun and unun projects, including 1:1 current and voltage baluns, and 9:1 voltage ununs, providing a broader context for impedance matching solutions.

Optimizing the ZS6BKW antenna for full HF band coverage often requires specific modifications beyond its standard configuration. This resource details several enhancements, beginning with a simple series capacitor to improve 80m SWR, a technique W5DXP found effective for permanent installation due to its minimal impact on higher bands. Further improvements include a 10-inch parallel open stub for 10m resonance, shifting the frequency to 28.4 MHz with an SWR of approximately 1.8:1, a practical solution for Technician class operators. The document then explores a switchable matching section, adding or subtracting one foot of ladder line at the 1:1 choke-balun, which significantly impacts higher frequency bands and eliminates the need for a tuner on 17m. W5DXP's _AIM-4170D_ antenna analyzer measurements confirm these effects. More advanced modifications involve a parallel capacitor for further 80m SWR reduction, requiring remote switching for multi-band operation, and relay-switched parallel capacitors at specific points on the 450-ohm matching section to achieve low SWR on 60m, 30m, and 15m. These detailed steps, including _Smith chart_ analyses for the challenging bands, aim to transform the ZS6BKW into a truly all-HF-band antenna, reflecting W5DXP's practical experience in antenna tuning.

Wide bandwidth Trapped Verticals and rotary dipoles, baluns, 40m/80m wire dipoles and accessories from Australia.

Classical coax-fed, off-center-fed dipole, feeded with a 4:1 Guanella balun

Live DX spots are presented through a _web cluster_ interface, utilizing both a world map and a Google Maps display for visualizing amateur radio propagation. The system provides real-time spotting data, enabling operators to track active stations globally. Users can observe current band conditions and station activity, which is crucial for optimizing contact strategies across various amateur bands. The platform's utility extends to contest operations and general DXing, offering a visual representation of where stations are being heard. While the primary function is DX spotting, the site also includes technical articles, such as instructions for interlocking two Flex Radios for single-transmitter compliance in contests, and a guide for constructing a simple **5KW** 1:1 balun for **160m/80m** dipoles using RG400 cable. This combination of live data and practical technical content supports both operational awareness and station improvement.

A fractional bandwidth of up to 30:1 characterizes spiral antennas, making them highly effective across a very wide frequency range, often from 1 GHz to 30 GHz. The resource details two primary types: the **Log-Periodic Spiral Antenna** and the **Archimedean Spiral Antenna**, defining each with specific polar functions and illustrating their planar configurations. It explains that spiral antennas are typically circularly polarized, with a Half-Power Beamwidth (HPBW) of approximately 70-90 degrees, and a peak radiation direction perpendicular to the spiral plane. The content elaborates on critical design parameters affecting radiation, including the total length (outer radius) for lowest frequency, the flare rate ('a' constant) for optimal radiation versus capacitive behavior, the feed structure (often an infinite balun) for high-frequency operation, and the number of turns (typically 1.5 to 3 turns). It also discusses the theoretical impedance of 188 Ohms for Log-Periodic spirals, derived from Babinet's Principle, noting actual impedances are often 100-150 Ohms. The article presents a simple construction method for an Archimedean spiral, demonstrating VSWR and efficiency measurements. Measurements from a constructed spiral antenna show a VSWR that is fairly constant across the band, albeit with a mismatch loss of about 3 dB. The antenna efficiency remains around -5 dB (31.6%) across its operating range, indicating a decent wideband radiator despite opportunities for optimization.

A home made antenna tuner based on the W6JJZ basic concept that ,atches balanced loads without the use of lossy baluns, can provide band-pass filtering and harmonic attenuation.

Baluns are still a mystery to some radio amateurs and the only way to understand them is to learn what they are and how to use them.

A DIY guide to build your own compact multiband HF antenna based on the G3TXQ version using a 1:4 balun. This article includes the full part list and instructions to assembly, including the center plate.

This resource details the four primary functions of a ground system: lightning energy dispersion, equipment safety, RF return path provision for end-fed antennas, and management of induced RF currents. It clarifies that a ground system's effectiveness varies depending on its specific function, noting that a good lightning ground might not be an effective RF ground. The content emphasizes that proper antenna system design, including baluns and appropriate feedline lengths, often negates the need for an RF station ground to mitigate common mode currents or RFI in the shack. The article quantifies lightning energy, stating its peak is in the dozens or hundreds of kilohertz, with damaging energy extending to hundreds of megahertz, and currents reaching thousands of amperes. It recommends solid, wide, smooth copper surfaces for ground leads to achieve low impedance across a wide frequency range. The author, W8JI, shares practical insights from his station, which includes two 300-ft towers and four 130-ft wire verticals, detailing his use of common point grounds and _DX Engineering RR-8 HD_ antenna switches for lightning protection without coaxial surge protectors. Specific examples of antenna systems prone to common mode current problems are listed, such as random wire antennas without proper feedline lengths and off-center fed dipoles. The text also explains how a ground screen or radial system can reduce local noise sensitivity for vertically polarized antennas by covering the lossy earth.

Presents a Brazilian online portal dedicated to **amateur radio**, **CB radio**, and shortwave listening (SWL) communities. The platform facilitates free classified advertisements for radio equipment, including HF, VHF, and UHF transceivers, antennas, and accessories. It also aggregates a substantial collection of technical articles from Brazilian amateur radio operators (e.g., PY2DJW, PY1LJ, PY1LL/4LC), covering topics such as CW training with RufzXP, balun importance, and radio wave characteristics. Furthermore, the resource provides extensive links to Brazilian ham radio sites, clubs, international organizations, and official ANATEL (Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency) documents regarding licensing, equipment homologation, and regulations. The portal features sections for user evaluations of transactions, a "Top Ten" list of most visited pages, and a calendar of past and upcoming ham radio events across Brazil, including "Feirinhas" (local swap meets) and "Encontros de Radioamadores" (hamfests). It also includes a directory of ham radio related businesses and services in Brazil, such as antenna manufacturers (Diex), QSL card printers (Arte Final), and repair technicians (PY2MOK). The site also offers propagation maps, DX cluster links (e.g., DX-SUMMIT), and satellite tracking tools, making it a central hub for Brazilian radio amateurs seeking to buy, sell, learn, or connect with the community.

Voltage baluns and choke (or current) baluns.

Understanding Baluns. This article explores some simple antenna system configurations and the effect of key system components, connections and dimensions on feed line common mode current.

Building a 1:1 balun, aka un-un, with an Amidon Ferrite toroid core T 200