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Re: [RFI] Balanced-line antennas and couplers

To: rfi@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RFI] Balanced-line antennas and couplers
From: Cortland Richmond <ka5s@earthlink.net>
Reply-to: ka5s@earthlink.net
Date: Sat, 6 Aug 2016 06:13:14 -0400
List-post: <rfi@contesting.com">mailto:rfi@contesting.com>
On 8/5/2016 11:49 AM, Danny Richardson wrote:
Identical current indication on a matched pair of thermocouple RF amp meters do not necessarily mean the transmission is balanced as the current magnitudes might be equal but the 180º phase difference isn't.

IF -- this is not always *necessary* -- we want to see if currents in a 2-wire feedline are unbalanced, I think a symmetrically placed ferrite core of appropriate diameter around BOTH conductors, with a "secondary" winding feeding a sensitive meter or 'scope (etc) is the way to go.

Also, we need to be aware that surplus thermocouple ammeter calibration may not be as good as our other and modern instruments; OT's know this -- and when to put up with it.

Don't be surprised if there's substantial CM current from other sources; I've a local 10 kW expanded band AM station that occasionally gives me fits with arcing (and for a time, melting) feedlines and malfunctioning PA modules.


Cortland
KA5S


PS: My spell-checker suggests replacing "thermocouple" with "thermonuclear".

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