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Reviews For: Diamond BU-50 1:1 Balun (1.7 - 40MHz)

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

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Review Summary For : Diamond BU-50 1:1 Balun (1.7 - 40MHz)
Reviews: 4MSRP: 52
Description:
- 1.7 to 40MHz
- 50 Ohms
- VSWR:Less than 1.5:1
- Max.power rating:1.2kW(PEP)
- Connector:MJ (SO-239)
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.diamond-ant.co.jp/english/amateur/antenna/ante_2base/ante_base7.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0043.8
M5POO Rating: 2015-07-14
Looks a little small for 1.2KW Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've just received one of these from Moonraker in the UK - cost £29-95 ish. I'm going to use it with a new cage antenna I bought; I doubt I'll ever use it to the full 1.2KW PEP rating, but it looks dreadfully small to cope with that power. Maybe it would be OK if the match was good, but I'm hoping it will survive the 100 to 200W I will feed it with daily, and the 800W I might shove through it from time to time.
DL2DBY Rating: 2010-10-29
Not really sitisfying Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have mine hang up for about 2 Years or so. When using an amplifier at 1000 Watts he started changing SWR at 80 rapidly with transmission time.

At the end I did blow this device up and have to build a new one which really does 1 kW.

Assumption is that there was some moisture in the case which created high internal losses.

But ok, a lot of things which are rated 1.2 or 1.5 kW don't really withstand the power.

They are almost good on 500 W or 750 W, but putting a real demand on them should be prevented.

73

Michael
DL5KW Rating: 2010-07-14
Fine for 40M Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I use two BU-50 Baluns, and I am quite satisfied.

Advantages:

1)My baluns have a galvanic connection between the two arms. It is not just a ferrit core over a koax cable. So the danger of static voltage is lower, which could destroy the first transistor of your receiver.

2) The balun is quite small, so the weight on a free antenna wire is small.

Drawbacks:

1) Do not use this balun for the 75,80 and 160 meter-band. There are better baluns with lower SWRs.

2)There is no real cover over the screw connection of your koax-cable. I needed extra tape, to get this jack-connection waterproof.

73 de DL5KW, Paul



VK2WTT Rating: 2010-04-02
Has worked perfectly so far. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought three of these several years ago, and have had absolutely no trouble with them.

The build quality is very good, and they seem to be able to withstand prolonged use in the Australian summer.

Power handling is 1.2KW (PEP), but I have only used mine up to 100W PEP at this stage.

So far, so good!