[Elecraft] 4:1 balun

[f9oj.7 at wanadoo.fr]

Hello
I have used a center fed zepp for about 20 years. First, I built a classical tuner with separate coils, one for each band, adjustment with a variable capacitor and alligator clips on the coils ! Worked fine, but what a delight when changing bands...
Later on I made a compact tuner, a T match type with a roller inductor. (Used 450 ohms twin-lead as a feeder) Did not work so well, but quite adapted to a lazy old man.
And in 2010, in the April issue of QST I came across a description of an antenna system : a 4:1 balun, made of 50 ohm coax cable, connected to the rig through a tuner.
I don't personnally approve of the system, but decided to have a go. So I made the balun with H100 cable, connected it to the K3 ATU and to my surprise it matches my rig from 160m to 10M, including the WARC bands. I know it's not technically reasonnable, but it suits me perfectly, and the K3 behaves OK !
Have a look at the article, gentlemen, it might interest you.
Best 73 to all
Jacques de F9OJ
K3 # 2450