[AMRadio] Balanced Currents

[John Lawson]

On Thu, 25 Jan 2007, Jay Rusgrove wrote:

>
> You can prove to yourself  that the unbalanced link is not upsetting the balanced feeders by
> verifying the currents in each leg of the open wire line are equal. Then, for kicks, swap the hot
> and ground to the link and measure again. The readings should all be the same if the system is truly
> balanced...which it most likely will be.
>
> Jay W1VD


   MFJ makes a crossed-needle RF Ammeter (MFJ-835) for this purpose, though 
its mainly designed for open-wire balanced feedline.

   I have one here, and it seems to work as intended, using a Valiant and 
an Ameritron ATR-15 tuner to drive the antenna system. Gives a 'snapshot' 
of the currents in both legs of the feeder at once.



   Cheers

John
KB6SCO