|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
| Reviews Summary for Balun Designs 4:1 balun |
|
Reviews: 19
|
Average rating: 5.0/5
|
MSRP: $54.95
|
|
Description: 2kw current balun based on Jerry Sevick's (W2FMI)proven design. Provides good matching for multiband and off center fed dipoles.
|
|
More info: http://www.balundesigns.com
|
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this review.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
|
You can
write your own review of the Balun Designs 4:1 balun.
|
K4FX
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 23, 2009 15:12
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Baluns
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
After burning up a few different types of homebrew baluns on my OCF antenna, I finally splurged and bought a 4 to 1 current balun from Bob, my SWR is a lot lower across 80, 40, 30 20, 15 and 10 bands thab with the others I had built, the quality is well worth the cost, and Bob gives fast service, ordered on a Thursday and received it the following Monday,
|
|
K2VI
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 28, 2008 18:04
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Maserati of baluns
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I purchased the 4115T from bob, The old balun i used smoked when trying to tune 160 with my 130' ladderline fed dipole. When i explained to bob my problem he recomended the dual core 4115t heavy duty balun, Well i must say it tunes up flat now and with a few long winded qso's the balun is cool as a block of ice.I won't push my luck and try the amp. The antenna is just not long enough to try it However the construction is military grade, indestructable housing and only the best parts, I tip my hat to bob for not cutting any corners and giving the best balun you can buy.Bob will help you with any problems and not try to promote a sale, he is a true gentlman.Way to go balun designs.
|
|
VK2LOB
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 22, 2008 02:56
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Quality
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I have balun model 4113, 4:1 with a 1:1 Choke in the balun which i used to construct a Windom, the quality of this Balun is great and works better than I expected. I cut to pieces of Stainless Steel wire 90 ft and 45 ft and swaged the wire up,the SWR on 80 meters is 1:4, 40m is 1:1 20m is 1:3 10m 28.520 is 1:1. I am receiving great signal reports. Customer Service is great, Bob returned my email inquiry within hours and advised me of which Balun to purchase for the job. The Balun arrived in 6 days later.
|
|
VE6JKV
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 17, 2008 10:37
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Fabulous Product!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I have been using an OCF dipole for a while now, and the balun has been giving me problems. I looked around for a better balun and was lucky enough to come across Balun Designs. I got the 4:1 balun with the 1:1 built into it. I finally got it installed, and I have to say that I'm extremely impressed. It improved my S/N ratio quite a bit, and I am getting even better signal reports than I had previously. This is a wonderful product, and I would highly recommend it. Any questions I had were answered instantly, and customer service seems to be a priority.
|
|
KO7V
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 26, 2008 14:39
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Best 4:1 current balun yet
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I had trouble feeding a 134 foot OCF dipole with 50-feet of 300 Ohm twin lead with a Johnson Matchbox. The twin 300-Ohm lead was connected at the '200-Ohm point', about 1/3 from the end. I used to have to ground the tuner or the SWR was unstable, hand capacity tuning effects, etc. -- basically unuseable. Same thing with an MFJ-949E tuner with its built-in balun output feeding the twin lead. Also got RF feedback when using a 600W linear. With the tuner grounded, things were much more stable, but the tuner was really 'working' hard, and I knew there was lots of ground (common mode) current. I got weak reports on 80M, 40M was so-so, but 1 or 2 S-units below my 40M dipole at a nearby location Only 20M was pretty good, as long as I did not use the linear else I got RF feedback.
Looks like the Johnson matchbox was not the ticket unless I was willing to go center fed, but then I lose the odd harmonic bands. The problem with the MFJ-949E was the voltage balun on the output. I had a Ferrite '61 core and made a 4:1 voltage balun, but it didn't do any better than the MFJ balun..
Having no practical experience with power baluns, I asked Bob (KZ5R) which of his baluns would be best or my situation. I got his suggestion, the 4115E dual-core 4:1 (a REAL current balun, stainless steel connections). With the MFJ tuner coax output feeding 5 feet of RG-213 to the balun then the 50 foot twin lead to the OCF, the SWR easily tunes 1:1 on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10M, no RF on anything, no hand capacity effect, and the system is exactly the same with or without a tranceiver or tuner RF ground (the tranceiver runs off a isolated 110V AC switching supply). On 20 Meters I don't need to touch up the tuner across the band it stays below 1:1.2 , and on 40M only a small tuner adjustment across the band. On 80M tuner adjustment is required across the band, but it still tunes to 1.1 and the adjustment has that smooth low-Q feeling you know is 'right'.
Now I have a huge improvement on 80M and 40M and am ready for some sunspots too. If you need a 4:1 current balun, I recommend Balun Designs - Thats where my next one is coming from.
Ron Fial KO7V
|
|
AE4CW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 16, 2008 14:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Outstanding Designs, Quality, Service and Value
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
If you need a balun, unun, or common mode current choke, look no further. Without question, Balun Designs and it's owner Bob Rumsey are in my opinion the best in the business. Where else do you get all these from a single vendor: 1) Designs based on the proven theory and construction techniques of Jerry Sevick, arguably the foremost authority in this field; 2) Construction using the best available materials (thermaleze wire, Teflon tubing, epoxy coated ferrites, stainless hardware, waterproof NEMA enclosures; 3) A detailed internal description including photos of each design along with measured impedance transformation results; 4) Custom designs to fit any unique need you have; 5) Personal contact with the owner/builder, and 6) A 30-day money-back guarantee and lifetime warranty.
I ordered the single-core 4:1 model #4113 and it arrived in three days. I measured the transformation accuracy using my AIM-4170 and found the SWR less than 1.04 to 1 from 1.8 to 60 MHz. I've used it to feed an OCF dipole at 500+ watts with no heating what-so-ever. I knew going in that the single-core 4:1 model might not be a good match for an unbalanced antenna like the OCF dipole but decided to see how well it performed. An OCF dipole is a VERY difficult load for any balun, and so I was not surprised to see that I needed more common mode impedance. For an inherently balanced antenna like a simple dipole with perpendicular feedline, the single-core #4113 should be fine.
So, a word of advice: If you are feeding an inherently unbalanced antenna like an OCF dipole, you should choose either of the models #4113ocf or #4115 (see my review on this one as well). Both of these dual-core models have substantially greater common mode (choke) impedance which will greatly reduce RF current flow on the outside of your coax feedline (keeping RF out of the shack and preventing feedline radiation) and ensure more nearly balanced currents into the antenna.
|
|
WU1E
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 18, 2008 17:38
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Mod III Tuner Balun is Fantastic
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
|
Bought one of these to replace a cheapo balun that was causing problems for my multi-band dipole and auto tuner. This is a fantastic piece of hardware. Problem is I hate to only use it on that one antenna. It's a serious piece of quality hardware and I'm itching to try some other antenna projects using it. That's the beauty of Bob's Baluns. You can count on them for the long haul. I will definitely be a repeat Balun Designs customer.
|
|
PY1BR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 6, 2008 08:25
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Just Great
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I think is the most beautiful balun I have ever seen. I think I won't use it, just keep inside the shack protected....very nice product.
|
|
WA1SEO
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 7, 2008 04:12
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Product and Service
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
I spoke with Bob about an antenna project idea that I had. He recommended the 4:1 for a vertical and said if it didn't work out, send it back. I received it in 2 days! I heard a little rattle inside so emailed Bob asking if it would be OK to open it up. He responded within an hour and said, sure. It turned out to be a faulty tie-wrap. I told him what I was going to do and he said if I wanted he'd send me a new balun and pay for postage. I tried my fix and it works fine.
I connected the balun up and measured the performance with an HP Nework Analyzer...then tried the antenna out. It works as expected. I recently did some antenna work and decided to open the balun up to verify it's moisture resistance. PERFECT!
So, my summary says it best, Great Product, Great Service AND a pleasure to do business with.
Thanks Bob.
Mike, WA1SEO
|
|
NE2E
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 5, 2008 15:31
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Outstanding Performance
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
My first impression is WOW! The fit and finish and far exceed my expectations. This balun is a work of art, the rugged components appear to be first class top quality are used . If any compromises are made i sure can't see them. This balun will handle anything you can throw at it power-weather, this is not your daddy balun, this is a commercial grade product. Model III 4:1.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
