[Elecraft] Balun Ground Connection

[Jim Harris]

Several days ago I responded to someone about a situation with their antenna and balun.  I basically said my experience with an antenna at my station was that by connecting the ground on the balun to my station ground the SWR were to >25 and I had operated with the ground disconnected.  I received several unsolicited remarks about my antenna system implying there were serious problems and that I should solicit help.  I had said I would do some more checking.
I connected my SWR meter through a one foot RG-8X coax to the SO-239 connector on the balun.  Thereby eliminating all the station with it's coaxes and grounds leaving only the antenna, 400 ohm ladder line and balun connected.  At 14.080 Mhz I measured SWR of 5.1:1.  I connected the ground lung on the balun directly to the outside ground with four feet of wire and measured an SWR of 9.6:1.  In relative terms of SWRs that is near the >25 that I had mentioned earlier.
I disassembled the balun and checked it and all wiring and connections and found no problem.  I reassembled the balun and retested with the same results.  My opinion is the ground and associated wiring, when connected, is forming part of the antenna system thereby changing the SWR as would any metal object attached to the antenna system.  Seems simple enough in a practical world.
Therefore, it is my conclusion there was and remains no issue with my earlier statement concerning my experience.  Yes, I would like to see a lower working SWR with the antenna system and the ground disconnected and I am working on that issue......having a different antenna to install this week.  But that is a different issue from the original.
I realize people are seriously trying to help.  It would also seem that when help is not specifically solicited none should be offered.  That will be my position in the future on this reflector.  The Kool-Aid is too strong for me.

Take pride in the USA. 73



Jim, W0EM