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Dispels myth about choke balun winding method

One common challenge in antenna systems is mitigating common-mode current on the feedline, which can distort radiation patterns and introduce RF in the shack. This project details a 1:1 balun design that ingeniously avoids traditional ferrite beads, often a costly component, by substituting them with steel wool. The steel wool, when integrated into the balun's construction, effectively attenuates unwanted RF on the outer braid of the coaxial cable, ensuring that the antenna radiates efficiently and as intended. The construction involves winding coaxial cable through a PVC former, with the steel wool strategically placed to provide the necessary common-mode impedance. This method offers a practical and economical alternative for hams looking to build effective baluns without the expense or availability issues associated with ferrite cores. The design principles focus on creating a balanced feed to the antenna, crucial for optimal performance of dipoles and other balanced radiators. Experimentation with such designs can lead to improved field results, particularly for those operating with limited budgets or seeking innovative solutions for their antenna systems. The simplicity of using readily available materials like steel wool makes this a compelling build for many radio amateurs.

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

Voltage baluns and choke (or current) baluns.

In this article the author describes some new designs of ferrite loaded chokes for suppressing unwanted common mode currents at HF applied to feed lines like choke baluns, but also in the shack, applied to various coaxial, mains and data cables

Communication Coil, Inc. designs and produces custom, high reliability Filter Networks, RF Coils, Chokes, Inductors, Baluns, Toroids and Power Magnetics for communications

MyAntennas.com offers standard and custom made multiband antennas, Baluns, Common Mode chokes and accessories. All products are designed and made by Danny Horvat, E73M an antenna design engineer formerly employed by Cushcraft Corporation.

In this article, author examine stresses placed on common-mode chokes (aka baluns) as hams use/abuse them, examine the efficiency of simple dipole multi- band antennas and their feed systems. Stressing a Balun.

I happened to stumble across some antenna projects showing common mode chokes 1:1 baluns made of some turns of coax wound on T200-2 iron powder toroids.

This article clarifies the roles of baluns, ununs, common mode chokes, line isolators, and impedance transformers in amateur radio. A balun decouples balanced antennas from unbalanced feed lines, preventing interference. Ununs serve a similar purpose for asymmetrical antennas. Common mode chokes and line isolators suppress common mode currents, reducing noise. Impedance transformers adjust antenna impedance to match feed lines but do not decouple or suppress common mode currents. Understanding these components is crucial for optimizing antenna performance and minimizing interference.

The mini Radio Solutions miniVNA PRO is the only affordable vector network analyser (VNA) I know of that offers remote wireless operation. This is very interesting because it allows to measure the input impedance of HF antennas installed at height without having to deal with coax cable lengths, baluns nor common mode suppression chokes. However, to render the miniVNA PRO truly field proof, it requires a number of significant modifications.

This comprehensive three-part guide examines baluns (balanced-to-unbalanced devices) and their critical role in ham radio antenna systems. The author explains how baluns prevent common-mode currents on feedlines, which can distort radiation patterns and cause unwanted RF in the shack. Various balun types are analyzed, including coiled coax chokes, ferrite-core designs (W2DU), and toroidal-wound versions (Guanella/Ruthroff). Construction techniques for 1:1, 4:1, 6:1, and 9:1 current baluns are provided with practical guidance on wire selection, winding methods, and ferrite core properties. The article emphasizes that proper balun implementation is essential for optimal antenna performance, especially with directional arrays.

Demonstrates practical **rules of thumb** for selecting and utilizing ferrites and coils in amateur radio projects, particularly for RF applications up to 30 MHz. It addresses common challenges like determining appropriate ferrite grades and estimating L/C values without precise specifications. The resource details the author's experience with readily available grey ferrites, noting their suitability for HF work, and provides guidance on constructing **baluns** and RF chokes, balancing inductance for lower frequencies against inter-wire capacitance for higher frequencies. It also outlines a method for estimating power handling based on ferrite weight, suggesting a 1-gram ferrite can manage over 2 Watts, and offers a technique for evaluating unknown ferrites by winding 10 turns and measuring resonance with a 1 nF capacitor. This approach emphasizes a hands-on, iterative method for balun winding and adjustment, allowing operators to quickly approximate component values. The article compares the characteristics of ferrite-cored coils with air-cored coils, highlighting the reduced pickup and radiation of ferrite designs. It refines the air-coil estimation method for frequencies between 2.5 MHz and 10 MHz and provides a scaling factor for frequencies outside this range, aiming to get operators into the correct general area for their designs. The author's standardized ferrite choice (RND Components 165-00182) is presented as a practical example for reproducible projects.

For phased C-Poles, matching choke baluns are essential to maintain intended phasing, beam pattern, and gain. The author uses a low-loss, ferrite-core balun design with 19 turns of RG-174/U coax for optimal performance.