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Re: [TowerTalk] Test Fixture for Common Mode Chokes

To: "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Test Fixture for Common Mode Chokes
From: Brian Beezley <k6sti@att.net>
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:30:09 -0800
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I went through the dozen or so .s2p files I have for common-mode chokes. The error due to shunt port capacitance was most often restricted to the resistive and reactive parts of the measured impedance, not the impedance magnitude. This means that the pi network formed by unwanted shunt port capacitance in conjunction with the choke is acting like an all-pass network. I have no idea why.

Due to shunt port capacitance, the conventional S21 series measurement method overestimates effective choke resistance. After using the the Y21 method to cancel the capacitance, choke resistance at HF typically drops less than 10%. I think this puts the error in the negligible category for most hams. I have a few measurements that go to 50 or 60 MHz. Error at VHF is quite a bit higher. It may not be negligible for a 6m choke.

If anyone with a VNWA wants a script for the Y21 method, I can provide one developed by DH0KAI. It lets you plot Y21 results right in the VNWA software, including shunt capacitance at each port. This lets you rework and improve your choke fixture without the need for a capacitance meter.

Using all four S-parameters provides best Y21 accuracy. You also need them to obtain separate capacitance values for both ports. If your VNA only provides S11 and S21, you can interchange the port cables and make a second measurement. Combine the two [S11 S21 0 0] files to [S11 S21 S12 S22] with https://tinyurl.com/45xk3zum.

I'm always looking for .s2p common-mode choke files. I seem to learn something from each one I examine. Please forward any you may have. Thanks to NA6O who sent me several.

I've added Y21 shunt capacitance plots to my S-parameter plotter. You can see some curves here:

https://k6sti.neocities.org/sp

Brian

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