[Elecraft] how did I calculate the loss?

[Vic Rosenthal]

Charles Greene wrote:

>   So I
> figured out how to measure the efficiency by placing the balun in a 
> thermos and measuring the temperature rise during a timed operation.  

There are two measures of balun quality.  One is loss, which you have 
measured.  The other is effectiveness, i.e., how good a job does it do 
in reducing common-mode currents.  It's possible for a balun to be 
efficient from an internal loss point of view but still ineffective!

If a balun is used where it sees an impedance that is much lower than it 
is designed for, then it may have high losses and heat up.  But if it 
sees a much higher impedance, then it may not heat up but also not do a 
good job of choking off common-mode current.

-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco