[HCARC] Baluns, Ununs, Gamma Match, Stubs

[Gary and Arlene Johnson]

Things have been totally too quiet around here - maybe that is good, but in favor of the continuing education of me and all the others who might need it and are afraid to ask here goes (again).

When I am using my antenna tuner (the manual one) to bring the SWR of an antenna down I have to add both Reactance and Capacitance.  How do I know, or is there a way other than trial and error, to know how much of each to add to bring the SWR into the proper range.  A further question is:  is it better to have more reactance than capaitance or vice versa or doesn't it matter??

How does a Gamma Match help SWR??

How does a stub help match SWR and exactly what are the Gamma Mach and the Stub??  How do you figure out how long a stub to use.

Is buying or using an antenna analyzer going to tell me the answer to the above questions??

As far as Baluns go - what other than the obviously physical characteristics is the difference between an air core balun and a ferrite balun.  If they work the same, finding a small 5 inch piece of PVC pipe is way easier than ordering a ferrite toroid.

FOR DON W4WJ:  The above subject would make a really valuable presentation, especially for newer members of the club.  We need to figure out a way to simplify this subject - maybe design a few baluns and ununs that actually work and publish the building directions for club use.  I have he Sevick book and have read it, but it goes into a lot more theory than I need.  Most new guys just need to know how to build what they need and to figure out which one they need and when.  I guess KISS would be the operative word.

Gary J
N5BAA
HCARC Secretary 2013