Author |
Message |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 455 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Monday, August 17, 2015 - 9:34 pm: |
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I have seen a lot of information on the ugly balun on the net. Now my question do I use the information on the construction of it or is there other information I can use for my purpose. How I want to use it is on 11 meter. If I need to construct it differently for 11 meter does anyone know how I should make the ugly balun with rg213 coax? |
Wizard200056
New member Username: Wizard200056
Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2011
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 - 10:44 am: |
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For 11 meter a coil of 6 to 8 turns evenly wound with an outside diameter of 6 inches should work fine.However an Ugly Balun is a "Mickey Mouse" solution to avoid potential problems.The better route is to buy a Line Isolater and mount as close to the antenna feedpoint as possible. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 456 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 - 3:33 pm: |
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How much do they cost? How much power do they handle? Who sell's them? |
Wizard200056
New member Username: Wizard200056
Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2011
| Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 10:07 am: |
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I got mine from a company called Radio Werks.Rated at 2.5K and works great.Gone thru 2 PA. winters with no problems.MFJ also sells one.There are others. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 457 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 2:55 pm: |
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Thanks a lot for the info. I am checking it out. |
Wire_saber
Junior Member Username: Wire_saber
Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2015
| Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 3:23 pm: |
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CB: Will you share the specific problem or situation that prompts you to consider an ugly balun, and the type of antenna to be installed on? I wrapped 5 1/2 turns of RG-213 around a piece of 4" PVC pipe and connected as close as possible to the antenna input. Prior to installation, I had no TVI, RFI or other interference at my QTH, but did it anyway as an initiative to avoid any complaints of interference in a new neighborhood. At the same time, I installed a low pass filter plus a good grounding system. Since then, I've installed two other antennas without using the ugly balun. Have had no complaints yet since 2012. Some hobbyist believe that ugly baluns are not functional or not as effective on HF Yagis as they are on other HF antennas. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 458 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 12:58 pm: |
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I have an IMAX 2000 on top of a MACO 103c beam antenna. My line is 750 foot away from my radio on top of a mountain. my line is 75 ohm TV line that the TV company use. It has a solid center wire with a solid alum. shield. my SWR is about a 1.2 to a 1.4 across the band. I just want to prevent any stray RF that could possible happen on the shield. AS far as I know I have had no TVI or RFI problems. |
Wire_saber
Junior Member Username: Wire_saber
Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2015
| Posted on Thursday, August 20, 2015 - 11:31 pm: |
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Read somewhere that I-2Ks are prone to RFI, however, the enviable height at which your antennas stand, is the first deterrent against EMI. The solid aluminum shield of your cable is an added plus to avert interference. With the low SWR you have achieved, and no actual complaints from neighbors, there may be no discernible benefits to your station from either an ugly balun (UB) or a line isolator. I installed my UB from the day I first raised the antenna, as a precautionary measure. Will soon lower it for PMI and to remove the UB. I hope there won't be EMI requiring remedial action (re-install it). I've never used the ferrite balun, so I can't opine pro or con. If you must experiment with something, the UB is the least expensive choice. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 459 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Friday, August 21, 2015 - 11:23 am: |
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Good Morning. My antenna is 21 foot off the ground. I have two 8 foot ground rod's installed with the center wire of RG 213 coax for a ground to the antenna. the reason for the center wire with the shield not touching the center wire is to make sure the long ground wire will not become a part of the antenna. Also at the bottom of the antenna connected to the ground rod is chain link fence buried about an inch in the dirt to help with reflection. At the house I installed ground rod's for my radio equipment with the same on installation of the RG 213 because my radio is on the second story and has a long run to the ground rod. After I had spoke to my local's they reported without me telling them of what I had done that my signal had improved. Thank you Wire saber for the advice and information and I have enjoyed this conversation. Any question's or added information is great. Since I last spoke with you I have gotten my wave down a little lower. changed out a jumper. Have a great blessed day. |
Wire_saber
Junior Member Username: Wire_saber
Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2015
| Posted on Friday, August 21, 2015 - 7:33 pm: |
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Thanks to you for sharing. My muse distorted your statement of a line extending 750' from the radio, and erroneously pictured an M-103c and I-2K atop a mountain, with cables running down to a house 750' below (shorted brain probably due to residues of an era). Your ground screen idea is excellent, and a prime ingredient to a great radio station. Last observation is that the scenario of RF-grounding your transceiver from a second floor, has been found at fault for interference by some operators. The wire going from radio to ground screen may become a resonant radiator, but this is not always a fact. From a second floor, It's better to have a real ground, than an artificial one like the MFJ 931. Best wishes and 73's de Wire Saber |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 460 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Saturday, August 22, 2015 - 7:44 pm: |
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Remember I used the center wire of the RG 213 coax with the shield separate from the center wire ground connection but covering the center wire to keep in any stray RF and keep it from being an active antenna. This way any RF should go directly to ground not in the air. The shield should prevent this from being a resonant radiator. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 461 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Friday, September 04, 2015 - 2:13 pm: |
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I want to thank you for the information on the Line Isolator. I bought a high powered rating Line Isolator for $40.00 I really like it. My friend told me he had more signal on me. So it has helped. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 463 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Friday, September 18, 2015 - 10:15 pm: |
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I have bought a B2KLISO line isolator. I really like it. It does everything as they claim. It is listed at $39.95 Check it out fellow's. |