Rob,
Unfortunately you wont be sure!
The MFJ meter only compares the magnitude of the current in the two
wires; crucially it doesn't look at the phase. So when the meter
indicates "balanced" any one of the following might be true:
* The line is indeed balanced
* The currents are equal magnitude, but the line is unbalanced because
they are not 180 degrees out of phase
* The line is unbalanced, but the meter is at a null in the common-mode
standing-wave pattern
The most extreme example would be a line carrying all common mode
current (no differential mode) split equally between the wires - the MFJ
would tell you that was balanced!
73,
Steve G3TXQ
Rob Atkinson wrote:
> Anyone
> uncomfortable with these assumptions can get a parallel wire RF amp
> meter from MFJ and check their line to be sure, and try making
> adjustments if the line turns out to be extremely unbalanced.
>
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