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| Reviews Summary for Balun Designs 4:1 balun |
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Reviews: 20
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $54.95
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Description: 2kw current balun based on Jerry Sevick's (W2FMI)proven design. Provides good matching for multiband and off center fed dipoles.
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More info: http://www.balundesigns.com
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NE2E
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Rating: 5/5
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May 5, 2008 15:31
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Outstanding Performance
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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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.
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VK4ZOO
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 25, 2008 13:13
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performance on 80 to 10m was outstanding
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The balun you made for me is fantastic, it was connected to a 42ft wire vertical and a 3.5ft earth stake, it tuned up on all bands and the performance on 80 to 10m was outstanding
Vars
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KY5U
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 23, 2008 11:27
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Quality and Functionality
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Grab a cup of coffee and read this if you want the low-down on Balun Designs!
Years ago I had designed a shorty vertical to use at a radio station on 800kHz to use while the 30 year old towers were being replaced. The goal was no more than 3db loss in signal. I used the same "shorty" design in marine electronics for marine SSB shore stations with great results. Fast forward to the present and my life in a restricted neighborhood....
Having tried all manner of wire antennas, I finally remembered the "shorty" and I built one for 80M. It's about 18' with a series loading coil and at resonance it has an impedance of 12 ohms. And there is the rub. Over the years I always fed the antennas with 50ohm line and into a tuner at the transmitter. Results were good but the impedance mismatch in the line was a power robber. Tuner use worked well but I wanted to finally match the Z at the antenna to the feedline and ditch the tuner. Enter Balun Designs...
After seeing his baluns on ebay (and admiring the workmanship), I contacted Bob and asked if he could wind me a custom UNUN to take my 12 ohm Z to 50 ohms. He said "can do!" A few days later I received the final product mounted in a neat fiberglass weatherproof housing. It's about 6" by 6" and had all the connectors labeled and mounting holes drilled.
I had used about 6" of RG8 to make a pigtail to feed the antenna so my UNUN had SO239 connectors on both sides. I removed the barrel splice connector, inserted the UNUN and used my MFJ antenna tester to check results. On my desired resonant frequency I was still at resonance and the tester showed 50 ohms spot on.
Inside I removed the tuner and inserted a wattmeter, tuned up the rig and amp and tried it all out. Needless to say my signal was a bit stronger on my "regulars" and although the 100' of RG8 feedline had shifted the resonant point up the band about 25kHz, the SWR was still under 1.2:1. The bandwidth appears to be nearly 300kHz at 2:1 or less and 250kHz of that is under 1.8:1. The 1.5:1 bandwidth is over 100kHz. 50khZ of bandwidth is under 1.2:1.
Things I liked anout Balun Designs:
1. Willingness to customize
2. Price ($48 bucks for my UNUN)
3. Waterproof enclosure
4. Mounting holes pre drilled
5. All ports labeled
6. Results delivered on air exceeded expectation
My finished "shorty" vertical is only 18' (hidden from the Homeowner Gestappo by the house), and operates about 2.3db less than a full 1/4 wave vertical on 80M. The antenna uses the MFJ mounting plate (2' X 2') and 20 radials each 25' long so it does not take up much space.
One note is that with the mounting plate your radials can be shorter, but for every 1 radial you'd add to a full sized vertical, you have to add 2 to the shorty to get the same result.
Bottom line is that Balun Designs LLC was a valuable partner in my antenna's success and I urge you to give them a try.
Charlie
KY5U
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VK4COG
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 16, 2008 07:52
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High quality....Great price
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Bob is a great guy to deal with and his attention to detail is second to none....a custom wound balun, to the style you like, all with lightning fast personal service. I have bought 1:1 chokes, 4:1 and 6:1 baluns from Bob and have them all in service with great results. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone wanting a quality product at a very reasonable price.
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K5ZP
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 24, 2007 10:19
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PERFECT
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just received my heavy duty 5kw, 4:1 balun for Multi band verticals. At 3.6 Mhz it is flat 1.2:1 at 190 ohms - nearly a perfect 4:1 transformer. The case is also the most durable that I have ever used. I had mine built with lugs for a ZeroFive vertical and they look like 1/4".
I accidentally ordered the wrong balun and Bob called my house, fixed the order and provided a refund. The balun arrived three days after my order. The service is remarkable.
I'll be using the balun with my TenTec 238B tuner and Henry 3KD Classic. I'll post another review when I get some time on the balun.
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K2JJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 18, 2007 14:26
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Superb Quality and great service.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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You won't find a better quality balun out there. The materials are all top shelf and the workmanship is outstanding. Bob's service is super fast and any Email is answered the same way. If you need advice as to which balun you need just give Bob an Email, he's a great guy to work with. These baluns are handmade by Bob to order, not some cheap import. You won't be diappointed.
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KR4JA
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 1, 2007 06:33
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Impressive quality
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought one of Bob's dual core 4:1 baluns (4" diameter) rated at 4KW, installed in the optional outside NEMA box. I'm using the balun at the feedpoint of a homebrew 160M OCF Windom, 70 feet of 450 ohm ladder line (14G stranded from RadioWorks) from the antenna apex into the balun, then a coax run to the outside coax relay box mounted on a single point ground plate. I had the balun within 3 days (from eBay). Excellent quality on the outside weatherproof enclosure and the build quality of the balun. The SWR, without using the L-network Ten Tec 238 tuner, is 1.7, 1.1, and 1.4 on 160M, 80M, and 40M respectively. The tuner obviously doesn’t have much work to do, due to the characteristics of the OCF and the balun. This balun will handle anything I can throw at it I'm sure (I'm running legal limit with a Ten Tec Titan amplifier).
Overall, a great value for one of the best constructed Baluns I've ever seen!
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KG5PT
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 10, 2007 22:18
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VERY Impressive!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Bob built and shipped my 4:1 balun just a few days after I bought it on ebay - configured with my choice of connector and wire securing hardware. Naturally, within 5 minutes of having received it, I had the cover off and was admiring the innerds...
(BTW, the Carlon enclosure is a major selling point: Unlike most competing baluns that are potted in epoxy or sealed inside a few PVC pipe fittings, Bob builds this product to be opened up for inspection - and the view inside is VERY nice!)
The antenna wire eyebolts are stainless steel, secured with Nylock nuts. The windings on the beefy balun core are impeccable - Perfectly spaced, well-insulated with sleeving, and solidly soldered to the 239 connector and eyebolt lugs. The 239 connector itself is the good stuff - not a cheap import.
In short, the delivered product looked every bit as good as the one in the photos - if not better.
The only "improvement" I could suggest would be a broader product line: Not every application demands a high-power balun, so a few "downsized" versions for 100W and QRP applications would be MIGHTY welcome additions. Other than that, I can't argue with perfection!
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W7YES
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 9, 2007 18:34
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Excellent quality, good price!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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A balun is a pretty simple device and it's difficult to get real excited about a product like this... but I have to say Bob (K5DN) does a very good job and should be commended for his work. Simply put, the materials are top quality and the craftsmanship is just outstanding. You have to open the enclosure and look closely at the winding to appreciate what I mean by craftsmanship – honestly, this is something we don't see much of these days. Also, his service is a bit remarkable... something like 3 days from the time I placed my order to the time he wound the balun and shipped it – I guess that's why he's know as “rapidrobert” on eBay.
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N5RDN
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 7, 2007 23:32
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Balun Designs 1:1
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I ordered the 5kw/10kw 1:1 current balun with terminals for open wire feedline, and an SO-239 for coax entering the shack. Bob (K5DN) was very helpful. It arrived soon after. The quality of constuction and materials are amazing for such a low cost. Works perfectly. no RFI with 1000 watts output, and stays very cool. I am sold. Thank you Bob!! 73, Rob
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