[Elecraft] To Balun or not to Balun..

[Mike]

Hi Jack - I've been using an (approx) 1200-ft diamater (square) horiz loop
here for about 16 years now.
I use open-wire feeder & feed at the south corner. I do NOT use a balun, but
DO use a balanced ATU (z-match) on all bands.
This loop is about 45-ft high & seems to be pretty close to
omni-directional.
Its GREAT on all bands from 40 thru 10m (incl WARC). Works FAIR on  80m (I
can QSO EU with 100w) & is pretty average on 160m. On 80m & 160m it is, of
course, just not high enough for a real DX antenna. However, since putting
up  my loop in 1987, my triband yagi has just been lying unused under my
house, just no need for it.
Do yourself a favour though, & use a balanced ATU!
73 de Mike, zl1mh
.