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Reviews For: Jetstream JTBAL11G

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

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Review Summary For : Jetstream JTBAL11G
Reviews: 2MSRP: $37.95
Description:
1:1 1.5KW Balun
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.jetstream-usa.biz/product_info.php?products_id=72254&osCsid=qk3jvu9hg2ts5l3r1n9sjchk94
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0022.5
KD9NTD Rating: 2020-02-18
Hard to judge this early Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased this off eBay for $42 shipped, sort of pricy, but I was intrigued by the fact that it has a balun built in, plus the dog bone insulators are already included. I usually makes these, but this time it was convenient to purchase a commercially made one. It felt solid and the wires crimped well to the ring terminals. I have it at 39 feet as an 80 meter dipole, I use a tuner and talk on 80, 40 and 20. Of course too low for 80 meters, but it works great for NVIS. Only time will tell on how well it holds up. If it fills with water like the other reviewers unit did, I will return with my findings.

73, KD9NTD
AK6OK Rating: 2018-01-21
Don't buy this thing! Really bad! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
About a year ago, I bought a Jetstream JTBAL11G Balun new in the original package. About a week ago, after a heavy rainstorm, I could not tune the antenna. I figured that something had gotten wet and just waited for it to dry out. On further investigation, I went to remove the coax from the radio and discovered water pouring out of the connector. I pulled the antenna down, and confirmed that the connector on the bottom of the balun was sealed well and could not figure out how the water got in.

I replaced the balun and the coax and disassembled the balun to find what you see in these images. First, they used silicone sealer instead of a rubber gasket to water seal the balun. That obviously failed. There were some type of bugs growing inside the balun, all fried because of the amp I had connected. And the balun was full of water. And the water entered the sealed connecter through the balun, and destroyed the coax as well.

This is a very poorly designed and sealed balun and how the bugs got inside, I don't know unless they were there during manufacturing. You make up your own mind but I would not buy another Jetstream balun unless something seriously changes! Stick with a well designed balun like a DX Engineering, Palomar or another well known manufacturer!

Jeff AK6OK