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Reviews For: LDG External 4:1 and 1:1 baluns

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

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Review Summary For : LDG External 4:1 and 1:1 baluns
Reviews: 35MSRP: 30
Description:
External 4:1 and 1:1 baluns
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ldgelectronics.com/products.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00353.5
W3PH Rating: 2006-04-05
Not the best construction Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have one of each (4:1, 1:1) - the 4:1 was flakey from day 1 - I opened the plastic case, and indeed the ferrite core isn't secured to anything other than the wires its wound with, one of which had come loose from the SO-239 connector. Soldered it and it's OK now ...
NT9M Rating: 2006-04-05
So far FB Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had two of the 4:1 baluns mounted outside for almost four years now. So far, I've had no problems with either one, and they do what they are supposed to do. I use them to transition the ladder line that feeds my 80 meter loop antenna to coax for the run through the wall. I did use sealant to cover every crack in the case where I thought water might enter.
KG4YTL Rating: 2006-04-05
4:1 not worth money Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
As said before, the 4:1 is a voltage balun and not a current balun. Current Baluns are better, but trickier to build. You can find a good current balun on the internet for the same price as the LDG.
The LDG caused my windom to load up funny on my unbalanced windom antenna. Switching to a current solved everything.

I opened up the box at it is a simple torroid that is wound just like the example in the ARRL handbook. (Currents use three torroids). The torroid is attached to the box by sticky tape, and when I opened mine, it was detached from the box and bouncing around.
KF7K Rating: 2005-10-08
Indoor use only Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had this balun on the roof, where it needed to be. The instructions say it's not waterproof, but since it's in a plastic case I thought I could at least orient the case to keep water out of the removable side.

About 6 months later I noticed I couldn't tune the antenna anmore, so I went up and looked it over. When it sounded like a marimba when shook, I knew there was something wrong. Inspection revealed that most of the internal hardware was rusted, and that the ferrite core was in hundreds of pieces. I thought maybe a lightning strike had done the damage, but the enamled wires looked normal. I figure it was oxidation of the core.

It worked fine while it lasted, but keep that baby inside!
AF5U Rating: 2004-04-01
Great for the Money Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased the 4:1 balun and tested it for balance and loss. This model is not a current balun! However its loss characteristics were very good with a range from 1 to over 30 MHz. I tested it using a 200 ohm and a 300 ohm load - little difference. The jumper test for balance was about what you'd expect for a voltage balun. However, the 1:1 model is a current balun according to its specifications. If you plan to use this 4:1 balun, I would add a choke to its input either using turns of coax or ferrite beads over coax. Consult your ARRL Handbook for how to do this. All in all, this is a great purchase for the money. I am keeping my power below 120 watts to avoid heating or arcing problems. 73 AF5U