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Reviews For: Balun Designs Model 55131e For End Fed Half Waves

Category: Antenna parts, accessories, incl. baluns, hardware, etc.

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Review Summary For : Balun Designs Model 55131e For End Fed Half Waves
Reviews: 2MSRP: 94.94
Description:
For those that enjoy the LNR and Hy Endfed antennas, but
want to run more power, Balun Designs now offers an
excellent alternative. Built with the same craftsmanship as
all our other units, this new model will allow you to either
replace your current matching unit or construct a new mono
or multiband endfed half wave antenna. We have also
installed an additional stud which can be used for a
separate counterpoise rather than forcing the use of the
feedline's coax shield. The suffix "e" configuration also
includes the wire clip as shown but does not include wire.
Wire is shown for demonstration purposes only.

Most end fed half wave antennas have an impedance between
2500 and 3000 ohms so we have designed a unit to fall in the
middle of this range. Creating a very low SWR match is
accomplished by adjusting the overall length of your
antenna. The capacitor as shown in photos may change
depending on availability.

Caution: When used at full power rating of 1kW, the antenna
must have a low SWR on the band selected. That is, any SWR
measurement taken with the transformer at the feedpoint
should not exceed 1.5:1 with NO tuner in use. There are
numerous configurations available online that will
accomplish this on multiple bands (Google end fed half wave
antennas). If the transformer is used with an external
tuner in conjunction with a single wire antenna typically
130-135 feet in length, power should be reduced on those
bands that show an SWR above 1.6 to 2:5 without the tuner.
A level of 500-600 watts is the maximum with a further
reduction on any band measuring above 3:1.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.balundesigns.com/model-55131-55-1-for-end-fed-half-waves-1kw/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0025
AA4MY Rating: 2020-06-21
Day 1, 100+ QSOs Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the 55131 for use as a 49:1 transformer for a 10 meter EFHW. After drilling two weep holes (per the instructions) and cutting a 0.47wl radiating element and a 0.05wl counterpoise/stub, I was able to deploy the antenna + transformer in less than ten minutes. I have a 1.5:1 or better SWR from 27.9 to 28.9mhz, and 1.1:1 at 28.400mhz.

100 QSOs later (today) and everything is working great. This is my third Balun Designs product and I've had nothing but excellent experiences with all three.
N4LQ Rating: 2016-08-12
Higher Power Alternative Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I used this to replace the matching device on my "Myantennas EFW8010". The Myantennas torroid can't handle more than 150 watts cw for long. This one by Balun Designs has held up well to 500 watts thus far.
My antenna is 137' long and configured as an inverted L with the top at 55'. The transformer is near ground level. Grounding the box has little or no effect on SWR or performance however does improve lightning protection. I did notice some swr change on 30 meters when grounding and a bigger improvement with a 1/4 wave counterpoise, 25', but just on 30 meters. Probably due to the wire not being a half wave mult. on that band.
My only suggestion would be to reduce the strain on the top hook at much as possible by some means. The stress of the antenna and hot weather is causing the plastic to pooch out.