[Elecraft] Antenna Tuner versus Antenna Analizer ?

[Dave KQ3T]

Hi Paul,

Just to expand slightly on this one aspect of your question.

The term "balun" is a contraction of "balanced-unbalanced". It's a 
device for connecting a balanced feedline to an unbalanced one.

Most transceivers these days are designed to connect to a 50 ohm coaxial 
cable (such as RG-8, RG-58, etc.). Coaxial cable is an unbalanced 
feedline, since one side (the shield) is connected to ground. 
Unfortunately, coaxial cable will usually have a higher loss than a 
balanced feedline ("ladder line"). The purpose of a balun is to 
efficiently couple the balanced feedline to the unbalanced coax that 
connects to your rig.

Many hams do not use baluns. They will run coax from the rig all the way 
to the feedpoint of the antenna. This is especially true when the 
antenna is resonant (that is, a full half-wave on the band you're 
operating). Many commercial antennas are designed for connection 
directly to 50 ohm coax, without an intervening balun.

73,
Dave KQ3T



Paul Maruna wrote:
> ...Where does the "baluns" come into this play with either unit ?
>
> ...
> Thank you,
> Paul
> (73)
> KD8HWP
>