[TowerTalk] RF Baluns (commercial or homemade?)

[Jay Terleski]

Sylvan,
 You can make your own or you can buy a commercial balun. The problem is
which one do you trust vs one you can build and know the specifications
are as needed at the frequency of use.  As a manufacturer of baluns and
a rep for Cal Av I know the aspects of how to design them and how to
test them.

I make a 5 kW (real continuous power) balun, and CalAv makes a 2 kW
balun that is also resold by F12.

You can do no harm with any of these baluns.  They will last a lifetime
and work very well.

Compared to the BN-XXXX series, All of these baluns are a bargain, I was
amazed at the latest prices from MFJ. 

The baluns you are considering have great specifications like choking
inductance of +j600 ohms or more.  And they have a real warranty.
Lifetime, form me, I did say I was a re-seller right? 

You can also make your own with good specs too.  A Coil of coax done
properly with in line turns on a PVC form, or a W1JR Design on a 61
material core is perfect. Get Sevicks' last book and build one yourself
and have the fun of DIY.

If you don't have the time. The vendors mentioned by you are great for
the power levels they are rated. Also the Cal Av baluns are potted in
resin and will not absorb or condense water inside them.
A big problem with other manufacturers products and anyone considering
running QRO.

I hope this helps.

Jay



Sylvan Katz wrote:
> 
> I have made some adjustments to my tower and antenna system design thanks to
> some excellent comments from TowerTalkians (a special thanks to Kurt, K7NV
> who pointed out my glaring mistake in the way I interpreted the Force 12 /
> Rohn wind load data).  I am now turning my attention to the matching
> requirement. Does any one have any comments about using commercial RF baluns
> (e.g. Force 12 B-1 or Cal-AV EB-1) compared to constructing a homemade
> coaxial balun?
> 
> tnx.... sylvan
> 
> ----------------
> Sylvan Katz
> Saskatoon, Sask
> VE5ZX & G0TZX
> 
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-- 
Jay Terleski
WX0B - Array Solutions
www.arraysolutions.com

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