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Re: [TowerTalk] Balun dimensions

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Balun dimensions
From: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Reply-to: jim@audiosystemsgroup.com
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:47:31 -0700
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
The Fair-Rite data sheets showing recommended frequency range are for a single turn for the core. The most detailed data sheet for each suppression part include curves for 1, 2, and 3 turns, and provide FAR less choking impedance than needed to kill receive noise and to prevent feedline pickup from filling nulls in the pattern of a Yagi.

My designs are for CHOKES, not "baluns," and are based on suppression of receive noise and pattern control, and provide guidance for power handling. Depending on the design of the antenna, they MAY work as a "balun," but may defeat coupling action with some multiband designs. For example, at least one of N6BT's excellent designs is happy with a 2-wire line choke, but not a RG400 choke. My recommendation is to use whatever matching device is provided by the mfr, and add the choke between that and the feedline.

My designs are intended for use at the feedpoint of antennas that are reasonably well matched to their feedline. Secondary uses are as "egg insulators" on feedlines to antennas like high dipoles, to prevent their interaction with nearby verticals.

Chokes at feedpoints also minimize interference between stations with closely spaced antennas, like Field Day, DXpeditions, and and multi-transmitter contesting stations.

73, Jim K9YC

On 6/25/2025 12:58 PM, Jim Lux wrote:
I use 31 mix up to 30 MHz (and higher) to good effect.

The real part of the impedance keeps going up to 1GHz  (that's the lossy 
component)
The imaginary part peaks at about 30 MHz, is decent to 100 MHz, and then falls 
off. (that's the pure inductance)

https://fair-rite.com/31-material-data-sheet/

don't forget that Z is mu*frequency, so even though both real and imaginary 
parts of my start to roll off at 2MHz, the*impedance*, which is what you want 
for a choke, keeps going up.


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