I have read so many posts about baluns and SWR that I am thoroughly
confused! I am going to be erecting a 96 foot tower with a 5 element
Telex 20 meter monobander and a 2 element S-402 by Mosley and a 3
element Telex 10 meter monobander. I want to avoid the ferrite core
balun and use a coax balun. I can get no consensus about how many
windings, how many inches for the form, etc. The manuals, antenna
books, and TowerTalk members suggest 12 turns, 6 turns, 8 turns, 4-6
turns, all on either a 4 inch form, or a 6 inch form, or air wound and
taped. The list of suggested turns and methods of windings goes on and
on, not to mention what type of coax to use: 213, 58, 8U, 8X, teflon,
etc. The Mosley instructions don't mention a balun at all which I didn't
use at a previous QTH. I didn't notice any problems with front to back,
gain, or TVI/RFI without a balun on the 402.
So, what's a fellow to do???
Also, I agree that trying to get the perfect match 1:1 SWR is an
obsession with a lot of hams. Of course, the use of solid state rigs
has fostered this mania. My 830 will get out fine with a 5-1 SWR.
However, it is a bit disconcerting to see the reflected meter pegging
the post on voice peaks when using the amp. 73 to all. Tom
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