[Elecraft] BL-2 Balun Heating

[Gary Winkelman]

Thanks for all the advise!  I've been running  tests all day to which I 
have a nice Excel spreadsheet.  I've run the tests on 160 thru 10 meters 
using my trusty MFJ-259B (couldn't live without it).  I ran AT1KM - no 
balun, BL-2 1:1, BL-2 4:1 and a W2AU bead balun 1:1, all thru the 
AT1KM.  All SWR, R & X values jived.  I did not try running 125 watts 
thru the balun during the tests.  If it heated up, I'd have to let it 
cool to get an accurate reading the next frequency.  The test would take 
2 weeks!

Finally, I took the advise to put the balun between the tuner and the 
transmitter.  Tuned fine so I added power.  It stays cool as the 
proverbial cucumber!  One slight problem, the tuner is now RF hot. and 
there's RF getting into my computer.  If I reduce the power to 75 watts, 
the computer functions.  The transmitter is not bonded to the tuner.  
Because of my circumstances, I am not able to use an RF ground rod.  I 
have two  80 foot counterpoises that run next to our house on the ground.

Thanks everybody for all your help!

73, Gary  N2UM