[SOC] Balanced vs Unbalanced Antennas

[Kevin Rock]

If you rub Schroedinger's Cat with positive electrons kitty will stick to the ceiling!  But, do not mix positive and negative electrons!  Very bad, end of the universe stuff.  Bad, just don't do it.  Make sure your ladder line is well waxed with Einstein grease so the positive electrons know where to go and be happy.
   76 3/8,
      Kevin.  KD5ONS


-----Original Message-----
>From: "Jim Reicher, W0HV" <w0hv at sbcglobal.net>
>Sent: Feb 12, 2010 10:49 PM
>To: Second Class Operators' Club <soc at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: [SOC] Balanced vs Unbalanced Antennas
>
>Negative electrons are used only in blacklight bulbs.
>
>73 1/2
>Jim
>W0HV
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: soc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:soc-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On
>Behalf Of Mike Besemer (WM4B)
>Sent: Fri, February 12, 2010 9:18 PM
>To: 'Second Class Operators' Club'
>Subject: Re: [SOC] Balanced vs Unbalanced Antennas
>
>
>"The ladder line ensures the positive electrons equal the negative
>electrons"
>
>What the heck is a positive electron?
>
>74,
>
>Mike
>WM4B
>(Decidedly Unbalanced!)
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: soc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:soc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
>Behalf Of John Davies
>Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 10:16 PM
>To: Second Class Operators' Club
>Subject: [SOC] Balanced vs Unbalanced Antennas
>
>Balanced vs Unbalanced Antennas.
>
>
>
>Many newcomers to the wonderful world of Amateur Radio ask "what is the
>difference between a balanced and an unbalanced antenna?"  I hope the
>following explanation will help.
>
>
>
>Firstly, a balanced antenna is inherently more stable than it's unbalanced
>cousin. It is very hard for a balanced antenna, like a dipole, to fall down,
>hence the main reason for the term "balanced". However,  the fundamental
>reason why we call a dipole a "balanced" antenna has something to do with
>travelling waves in two equal halves. To make it simpler, try to visualize
>two water pipes fed from a single standing pipe. The diameter of each pipe
>is the same. The device which separates the two pipes equally is often
>called, in technical terms, a "balun". This is a very clever thing and we
>will not spend too much time discussing it now. Suffice it to say, that it
>"separates" both halves of the circuit and looks quite nice too, especially
>if it's in a  shiny black box.
>
>Usually we use ladder line from the balun to the feedpoint of the antenna.
>Newcomers to the hobby often ask "why is a called a ladder line?" The answer
>is quite astonishing really - it actually looks like a ladder if you think
>about it! Again, it's a question of visualization. Like Morse code, it will
>come to you if you practice this kind of lateral thinking hard enough.
>
>The ladder line ensures the positive electrons equal the negative electrons
>on each side. Some really smart Amateur Radio operators use a concept known
>as J-notation to calculate the number of travelling waves on each side, and
>their force. This is a very tricky concept to grasp for novices, but to make
>it simpler I will just say that it involves being able to have the square
>root of minus one, which otherwise is very difficult to do. This is why we
>use the term "imaginary numbers", because nobody understands it.
>
>
>
>Unbalanced antennas, like verticals, on the other hand, only have one pipe
>with an outer shield called a coaxial cable. To use the water analogy again,
>imagine the water only goes up the central pipe now. Of course, if it goes
>too high the antenna will topple over. This is the principal reason why we
>use the term "unbalanced" when referring to verticals. It is also the reason
>why you must use stays and guys to stop the antenna, which is inherently
>unbalanced, from falling down.
>
>
>
>Next month we will consider the tricky subject of lightning and why it is
>not good for you. Until then feel free to email with any questions.
>
>
>
>73
>
>
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