[Antennas] WxAU Balun

[Ron Youvan]

John Hensley wrote:

> I recently took down a trap dipole which had been up for a couple of decades.  Cleaning up the balun which is also serving as a "T" shaped center support, I realized I had no idea how to check it.
> I would enjoy hearing from anyone who has messed with these things.  I have no idea what is inside.  The caps are black, the body is gray PVC about 1.5" diameter.  Grounding strap runs down the side.  I used to see these at every hamfest I went to.
> Before I forget the performance was lousy but then again, I winged it.

   A piece of coax (min-8 = 8X) or RG-141 or some such with 20 or 30 ferrite beads around it between 
caps, the inner goes to one eye bolt, the shield goes to the other.  They (usually) can only be hurt 
with super QRO or corrosion.  The 1:1 balun is used to reduce feedline radiation (making your signal 
just horizontal instead of H + V) and reduce the effects of a nearby conductive object unbalancing 
your dipole so much.  I have never heard of them hurting a station.  I use one on my 40 meter dipole.
-- 
    Ron KA4INM - I'm proud to be Chuck's pop!