This is the stuff every other Armature Radio CZcams channel just glosses over because they think it's common knowledge without thinking of the newbies trying to get into the hobby. Thank you for explaining things in simple terms beginners can understand. This is also the best video I've watched on the subject! I didn't get into armature radio to nerd flex on other nerds. I'm into armature radio because I'm legitimately excited on how it all works. We all want more people to play radio with. Thank you again for helping more people get into the hobby.
I learn sooooo much from your videos. My hat is off to all the hams who learned the art of Ham Radio prior to the You Tube era. Best regards from Texas!!
Thank you, first time I think I understand the difference between UNUN and BALUN. I get lost quickly when David Cassler starts drawing on the whiteboard giving likely correct but very complicated answers to simple questions 😅
Different learning styles. I need to have the “why” stuff to internalize information. But I understand that most people learn better with technique vs theory. So this video left me unsatisfied. But it works for many (most) people. Awesome that we have so many Elmers right here in one place (CZcams)!
@@Frisky0563 I like Dave. He's like a gnome in his workshop trying to explain the hardships of Santa to the elves. Honestly, I mean that in a good way. But yeah, he talks in his language from his perspective. I have noticed that sometimes even he isn't technically correct even if in a practical sense he is. I think it comes down to what people are familiar and comfortable with. I like gnomes. ☺Cheers.
@@mewintle I'm the same way in needing to know the why and how of things for them to fit and stick into their place in my understanding of things to see and figure out how things work in relationship with each other and what needs to be done when. While it isn't perfect of course, things such as the water analogy for electrical circuits have gone a very long way for me. Taking that further, RF is perhaps a bit like sonar... 🙊Cheers.
Great explanation Walt, concise and to the point to help beginners understand the fine points of antenna building. This is why I really like and recommend the videos on your channel. Also that's a nice Hammarlund in the background, I have an HQ-160 that I have had since my teen years in the mid 1970s! I started out with it listening to shortwave in my teens and it stoked my interest in ham radio.
Thanks! I was heavily into shortwave in my teens as well. I got that HQ-180 by luck a couple years ago. My neighbor across the street found it in his attic and gave it to me.
@redstickham6394 @COSTALWAVESWIRES Similar situation here. I listened to short-wave in the late 1960s getting many DX broadcast stations using a long wire antenna in my parents attic. But I didn't get into Ham radio until very recently.
Walt, THANKS! As you know, I have been a long-time Ham, but I am new to building antennas. And you were right. This is the video I needed to watch. I have a list of notes to stick in my POTA case to help me in the field. Thanks again for all you do to help this amazing community. 73s.
Good explanation. Many former Elmer's are smiling down on you from the great beyond. I agree that the KISS way of explaining things is the best approach.
Many years ago (during my CB days) I learned a balun can be a really neat thing. But you have to be willing to experiment a little. Someone gave me a 4-element beam which had an insulated dipole driven element with a hairpin match (He did not know how to feed it). Not wanting to try and feed it directly with coax (did that with another similar beam one time with poor results), I decided to try and feed it with a 1:1 balun. Since the dipole driver would have a 75-ohm feed point impedance, I connected the balanced side to the hairpin, and used 75-ohm coax to feed it (not CATV coax). All I can say is 'wow'! Not only did the antenna work very well, it was also the quietest antenna I have ever had. The SWR measured at 1.3:1, and I could hear signals others could not, especially in dry-air Santa Ana conditions when the air becomes 'charged' and a lot of static is present. The hairpin match provided an awesome DC ground which, in combination with the balun, provided a virtually noise-free beam. I used it for many years before a wind finally blew it down. Wish I still had it!
I've been searching for a while now for a simplistic, concise, yet understandable explanation of UNUNs and BALUNs. You have provided it in this excellent video. Thank you so much for this. Subbed!
Simple, explained well for the beginner, your channel is great as its no nonsense to the point with simplicity, well done Walt. Im sure we all appreciate your time.
I keep revisiting this topic, and man, this was the perfect video for me to bookmark and keep coming back to!!! How do you not have 100K subscribers yet?
Thank you Walt for giving me a good basic understanding of baluns and ununs. You gave me a good understanding of why they are used and what type of antennas these transformers should be used on. You gave me a great foundation to build on. Other CZcams videos explain the windings and turn ratios, etc. without explaining why and where they are used. You are a great teacher/instructor. Thank you very much.
Walt.. Thanks for this.. I'm about to do a "Choke" video and was doing some research and this popped up! Still confused when I would EVER use an Unun..!! LOL
New guy here. Trying to build my shack and scared to death of lightning strikes as we get them fairly regularly. Antennas seem to be the most complicated part of radio. Proper grounding is the concern I'm trying to learn about most.
Walt, your videos are so great and easy to understand. Thank you for simply breaking this topic down and easy to understand. Where or how do you build that cool on air sign? That looks awesome!
Great video giving an easy to understand explanation. When I got licensed, UnUns weren't really being used but now they seem to be pretty popular. I had a random wire(not sure how long it was) antenna that was fed with single wire that went straight into the tuner. I wonder who many hams still do that? It worked well but on some bands the RF in the shack made the rig go a little haywire if the power was up too high. Your videos are always informative. Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much! I’ve been thinking about building a long wire antenna with that TenTec antenna coupler I showed in the video. So it would pretty much be like your antenna you described. 73 my friend!
Thank you… my confusion is no longer there. Your explanation is simple and correct. Your material (IMO) should be thought and provided in our question pools. So many ridiculous questions that are not relevant. 🎙️W1FYG
I think I get it - then i don't. UnUn makes sense for situations with an unbalanced match (49:1, 4;1 etc.). Then BalUn for 1-1 balance scenario (dipole example). But why would the Delta Loop not use a UnUn? It's 200 ohm t0 50 ohm, using a 4;1. Shouldn't that be an UnUn since it's unbalanced? YOUR CHANNEL HAS BEEN THE MOST HELPFUL/FUN/INFORMATIVE I've found. Can't express my gratitude enough. I'm on the list for a FX-4CR so I can't really start playing.
Oh wait, is the balance relating to the physical design of the antenna rather than the Ohms? Endfed uses an UnUn since the feed point is at the extreme end of the atennas, vs a dipole or delta loop where the feed point is in the physical middle of the antenna, and thus, sues an Balun. That would make sense. I hope I'm correct.
Thanks Walt, very much appreciated, now we have an idea why a Baluns and a Ununs is required....also explains why some home built antennas SWR OK work and some don't.
Thanks for another really informative video. Where did you find that chart of the wire lengths and corresponding transformer? Also do you have a video showing when you might need a counterpoise, vs radials? Now that the weather is a little nicer I’m going to actually start building these antennas.
The sum total of my knowledge as learnt for my foundation licence (oh errr !). UnUn - unbalanced to unbalanced . Balun - Balanced to Unbalanced. The rest is down to magic. 73 and Happy New Year to all.
Thanks Walt. That was helpful. I had a couple EE classes in college 40 years ago when I earned my mechanical engineering degree, but there was zero material about RF antenna design. A friend of mine has a MS in EE and even that didn't cover much about RF. It was mostly IC design and signal processing for him. If the terminology was unbalanced match and balanced match versus unun and balun that would go some distance. The next step would be describe the circuit in a balun and the circuit in an unun and explain why it works for each type of antenna, respectively.
Thanks! I’m not sure if CZcams is ready for a structural design engineer to break down the circuit design of a balun or unun but I guess I could give it a try LOL. All the best and 73, Walt
Check your Balun/Unun. I bought a cheap 4:1 balun and installed it on a 17-5 antenna. Could not get the antenna to work properly. Narrowed the problem down to the balun. Took the balun apart and realized it was wired just opposite. It was a 1:4 instead of a 4:1. Simple to unsolder and rewired. That fixed the problem. SWR on 20 meters was less than 1.5:1. Probably rare problem but it can occur.
An antenna tuner is only an antenna tuner when it is at the antenna. Matcher is more like it. Nice video Walt. I got a 9:1 kit from Palomar Engineering years ago and built as there instructions as a unun. Turns out it was an 8:1 not a 9:1 and there reason in the directions was the core selection. years later and a lot more education. It tested as a 8:1 not a 9:1. It will work with a non resonant but it will not tune quite right. Live and learn. I sent them an email over this, we will see what happens. I will rewind it so it is a proper 9:1 and make it useable
So you helped build Ocean Beach huh? LOL..... Well you figured out the plans and the structures and I nailed them together. Started my construction career in Newport Beach back in 75 when I got out of the service. Lived on a boat in the back bay while learning to pound nails and string wire. 73 and thanks for the great video. Still a little to learn about these things. Like how do you determine the impedance of the wire you are connecting to the ballun as a driven element?
Thanks for commenting! Determining the impedance of the wire can be done with an antenna analyzer and also by modelling the antenna. I basically go with known lengths and trim to suit. It would probably a good idea to do a video on that topic thanks. All the best and 73, Walt
Please do because I don't know what you mean by modeling. Please know that I am old and come from the TUBE days. Having a hard time with all the digital crap for the general test because of that. Wish I had gotten my General much earlier before all this digital stuff. LOL...@@COASTALWAVESWIRES
The Delta Loop raw impedance is closer to 100 ohm than 200 ohm. I've had better luck with a 2:1 balun and no tuner. Nevertheless a 4:1 balun will work... Txs for the video, very useful and well made. Keep on the great work!
Yes that was just a general overview to explain impedance. Thanks for watching!
Před 5 měsíci+1
So does that mean that the antenna tuner is doing the same matching, but between the transmitter and the coax? I guess the impedance of the amplifier output would change depending on what frequency you've selected, and that's why you need a whole other device? Because it seems that transmitter manufacturers could reasonably predict that 50 ohm coax is what they're gonna see on the output side otherwise. Maybe you could clarify antenna tuners in another vid, but this was really clear and simple for explaining the un/bal-un concept - thanks!
Thanks for watching. Yes the tuner is pretty much doing the same thing at the feed point. Basically with the random wire antennas and the 9:1 the idea is to get the match close enough for the tuner to somewhat "fine tune" it. Great idea, I'll look into doing a video on antenna tuners. 73, Walt
I think the simplest explanation is that a balun matches a balanced element to an unbalanced element. And an unun matches an unbalance element to another unbalanced element. I hope that helps. 73 Tom KC3QAC
And here I was scared you were going to pull up a Smith chart(kidding!). Thanks for the simplified approach of impedance matching coax/feed line to the antenna.
It is a coupler when the antenna is directly connected to the "output" end of the device. The coupler is typically remotely operated. If the matching device is close to the radio, and directly controlled, then it is a tuner.
Hey Walt! another great video! I like making my own, rather than buy them. When you describe the impedance in ohms, That is exactly how you test them. I have resistors soldered together that approximate the EFHW, Random wire, or delta loop. Connect them to the antenna connection and the counterpoise connection or to the shield side of the coax. Then connect your swr meter, and if they give a close to 1:1 reading, you know they will do the job. When you make your own, you can tweak the windings, and tune them up even more. Have you seen the Gabil GRA-HF750T antenna setup? You can turn your qrp rigs into an HF walkie talkie with these. Add a short counterpoise and they will amaze you.
Good simple explanation, I understand now the need and differences between baluns and ununs and what antennas they are used on. As a shortage listener only, will I notice a difference if I match the balun/ununs to my antenna type?
Thanks so much, Walt. This is the video I have been *dreaming* of for a long time. I was so confused about this. Now I'm starting to understand how this works. This video will be of great value in my attempts at building antennas for portable operation. I have a question though: what about a 1/4 wave resonant antenna with ground plane (or radiants)? You didn't mention this one. I presume what's needed is a unun since it's asymetrical, but with what ratio?
Hi Alain, great question. Have built 1/4 verticals without a balun or unun and they have worked great. I have a couple old videos on this but this one explains it simply: czcams.com/video/BJXI4baYBok/video.htmlsi=vcfue-rqYnp_TMdw A perfect 1/4 wave with a ground plane would actually have a 1:1 unun at the feedpoint as a 1/4 antenna typically has 50 ohm impedance. I hope that helps. 73, Walt
Great explanation on baluns/ununs.....thanks!! For wire antennas though, are baluns and ununs primarily just a tool for connecting the wire to the coax....and doing that in a way that will closely match up the two with a transformer, (as well as to keep RF from making its way back to the radio)? I have my first HF radio on the way, and I ordered a manual tuner as well, since I thought it was a good idea to always use one. If I'm understanding correctly, the two options are....1) to use a balun/unun so you don't need a tuner and 2) to use a tuner with a choke so you don't need a balun/unun and just connect with a banana clip? In other words....using balun/ununs keeps the equipment to a minimum and gets you on the air quicker? Seems obvious now that I think about it.....but confirmation that I'm thinking correctly is appreciated.
"Drive-by-engineer". As a long time machinist, that got a laugh. Many learned people forgot their beginning and just assume new students already have the teachers basic knowledge. Thanks Walt.
Great vid' , Walt... What would you recommend the LDG 49:1 or the 9:1 UnUns for the field bag? What are your thoughts on the construction of these units? I've heard some sketchy stories about some of their builds. My MFJ-945e tuner works great...
Thanks! I have all the LDG transformers except the 49:1. I think they are great and would definitely recommend them for the field bag. I’ve never had a problem with them and they’re pretty much all I use. For a 49:1 I use a TennTennas build and it is great as well.
An excellent explanation as always Walt. It makes sense to those who don't know. However, there is one basic assumption that most YTers make, they assume that a budding antenna builder knows what the impedances are to start with for a prticular aerial configuration, I recall I think DC showing a dipole fed in the centre = 50 ohms and then moving the feed point to one end until it became an EFLW and the impedance was as high as it was "going to get". Obviously the baluns for this would start at 1:1 going through 4:1, 9:1 and so forth on to 49:1, maybe that is a reference diagram that needs drawing by somebody? Then there could be coverage of those in the 64:1 range or special configurations? Just a thought - 73 de Terry
Maybe there is a market for a digital power meter that shows SWR and the impedance figure? I know that you can get meters to measure the impedance, but to have it on a straightforward 3 in one meter (that doesn't need a tutorial to remember how to drive it every time) would be a handy bit of kit? @@COASTALWAVESWIRES
This is the stuff every other Armature Radio CZcams channel just glosses over because they think it's common knowledge without thinking of the newbies trying to get into the hobby. Thank you for explaining things in simple terms beginners can understand. This is also the best video I've watched on the subject!
I didn't get into armature radio to nerd flex on other nerds. I'm into armature radio because I'm legitimately excited on how it all works. We all want more people to play radio with. Thank you again for helping more people get into the hobby.
Nerd flex - excellent and absolutely right.
I learn sooooo much from your videos. My hat is off to all the hams who learned the art of Ham Radio prior to the You Tube era. Best regards from Texas!!
4 hours before my amature radio exam tonight.. the text book gave a way too complex explanation, so your 9 minutes here may have saved my bacon :)
Nicely explained. I understand them now, bit of a mystery before. Now I'm motivated to build one.
Thank you, first time I think I understand the difference between UNUN and BALUN. I get lost quickly when David Cassler starts drawing on the whiteboard giving likely correct but very complicated answers to simple questions 😅
Thanks for the great comment!
That’s exactly what I was referring to 😂
Agree with you I don’t care much for Dave. I just can’t relate to him, no disrespect
Different learning styles. I need to have the “why” stuff to internalize information. But I understand that most people learn better with technique vs theory. So this video left me unsatisfied. But it works for many (most) people. Awesome that we have so many Elmers right here in one place (CZcams)!
@@Frisky0563 I like Dave. He's like a gnome in his workshop trying to explain the hardships of Santa to the elves. Honestly, I mean that in a good way. But yeah, he talks in his language from his perspective. I have noticed that sometimes even he isn't technically correct even if in a practical sense he is. I think it comes down to what people are familiar and comfortable with. I like gnomes. ☺Cheers.
@@mewintle I'm the same way in needing to know the why and how of things for them to fit and stick into their place in my understanding of things to see and figure out how things work in relationship with each other and what needs to be done when. While it isn't perfect of course, things such as the water analogy for electrical circuits have gone a very long way for me. Taking that further, RF is perhaps a bit like sonar... 🙊Cheers.
Great explanation Walt, concise and to the point to help beginners understand the fine points of antenna building. This is why I really like and recommend the videos on your channel. Also that's a nice Hammarlund in the background, I have an HQ-160 that I have had since my teen years in the mid 1970s! I started out with it listening to shortwave in my teens and it stoked my interest in ham radio.
Thanks! I was heavily into shortwave in my teens as well. I got that HQ-180 by luck a couple years ago. My neighbor across the street found it in his attic and gave it to me.
I did SWL as a teen as well using a Heathkit. It later got me interested in ham radio as well.
@redstickham6394
@COSTALWAVESWIRES
Similar situation here. I listened to short-wave in the late 1960s getting many DX broadcast stations using a long wire antenna in my parents attic. But I didn't get into Ham radio until very recently.
I didn't even need to watch the whole thing and knew this video was needed. Thanks Walt for putting it together. Great primer for LDG products!
Thanks!!!
Thanks for a no nonsense, no ego video. One of my favourite channels. 👍🏻
Thank you so very much! 73, Walt
Walt, THANKS! As you know, I have been a long-time Ham, but I am new to building antennas. And you were right. This is the video I needed to watch. I have a list of notes to stick in my POTA case to help me in the field. Thanks again for all you do to help this amazing community. 73s.
Love the simplicity of your explanation Walt, thank you so very much for putting that out there.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
Thank you for delivering! Great video as always Walt.
Thank you for watching and commenting!
This is the best explanation I've gotten, I think I finally understand it! Thank you and 73 de KC1JMH
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 73, Walt
Excellent as it will help a lot of people new to amateur radio
Absolutely great explanation - distilled to the essentials!
Thank you! 73, Walt
Good explanation. Many former Elmer's are smiling down on you from the great beyond. I agree that the KISS way of explaining things is the best approach.
Thank you so much! 73, Walt
I was just driving by and saw this. 🤣Good job Walt. We (the "ham fam") need to talk more about this subject. There is SO much to learn! 73 OM
Hahaha Roger that my friend!
Many years ago (during my CB days) I learned a balun can be a really neat thing. But you have to be willing to experiment a little. Someone gave me a 4-element beam which had an insulated dipole driven element with a hairpin match (He did not know how to feed it). Not wanting to try and feed it directly with coax (did that with another similar beam one time with poor results), I decided to try and feed it with a 1:1 balun. Since the dipole driver would have a 75-ohm feed point impedance, I connected the balanced side to the hairpin, and used 75-ohm coax to feed it (not CATV coax). All I can say is 'wow'! Not only did the antenna work very well, it was also the quietest antenna I have ever had. The SWR measured at 1.3:1, and I could hear signals others could not, especially in dry-air Santa Ana conditions when the air becomes 'charged' and a lot of static is present. The hairpin match provided an awesome DC ground which, in combination with the balun, provided a virtually noise-free beam. I used it for many years before a wind finally blew it down. Wish I still had it!
I've been searching for a while now for a simplistic, concise, yet understandable explanation of UNUNs and BALUNs. You have provided it in this excellent video.
Thank you so much for this. Subbed!
Thanks for subscribing!
Thank you for taking the time to make, explain and publish the video.
Thank you for taking the time to watch!
Thank you ! This video helped me to understand the antennas a little better!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
73, Walt
Best channel on CZcams. Thanks Walt for another great video!
Thank you so much for the kind words!!
That was clear and concise and no nonsense.
I’ve subscribed.
Thank you very much!
Simple, explained well for the beginner, your channel is great as its no nonsense to the point with simplicity, well done Walt. Im sure we all appreciate your time.
Thank you so very much! 73, Walt
Hey Walt - a masterful job. These aspects of antennas, etc. always seem to elude me, but NOT anymore! Thanks, be well and 73, Rich W2FKN
Thank you for the kind words Rich! 73 my friend
I'm just getting back into Ham and am starting in HF. Your videos are invaluable. Thanks!
thank you at last someone who gives it over simply.
Thank you so much for watching! 73, Walt
Thanks Walt a good explanation of ununs and baluns, I look forward to your further videos in 2024. Happy new year and best 73s from Ireland.
Thank you and Happy New Year! 73, Walt
Thanks Walt, easy to follow and very helpful.👍
Thank you! 73 my friend
I keep revisiting this topic, and man, this was the perfect video for me to bookmark and keep coming back to!!! How do you not have 100K subscribers yet?
Thank you so much for the kind words. Maybe someday!
The picture ( Giovanni Boccasile)you see behind you shows that you are not only a great technician but also a classy person
Thank you! I love that picture
Very well said. Enjoying going thru your videos and getting some new ideas.
Thank you! 73, Walt
Nice, easy to understand explanation of Baluns & UnUns!
Thank you!!!
Thanks Walt. Aerospace engineer myself and getting into the hobby...lots to learn, which makes it interesting.
Thanks for watching and commenting. It’s such a great hobby and you are right lots to learn.
Excellent explanation! I really enjoy all your videos, cheers!
Thank you! 73, Walt
Thank you Walt for giving me a good basic understanding of baluns and ununs. You gave me a good understanding of why they are used and what type of antennas these transformers should be used on. You gave me a great foundation to build on. Other CZcams videos explain the windings and turn ratios, etc. without explaining why and where they are used. You are a great teacher/instructor. Thank you very much.
Thank you for watching and for the kind words!
Thank you for the useful information. Thanks for simplifying it for us dummies , as it is very confusing.
Really good tutorial here, thanks so much since I am a newbie here...
Finally Im understanding this topic better. Thank you for this video Walt!! Newbie here
Thanks for watching and commenting! I'm glad it helped!
Simple and clear explained . 👍🏻
Thank you and thanks for watching!
Very helpful. Thank you.
Great explanation Walt!
Thank you!!
Very nice simple to understand explanation.
Thank you!
Great video thanks, short and simple 👍👍
Thanks!!!
thanks for the post, as always it was very helpful.
Thanks for watching!
Walt.. Thanks for this.. I'm about to do a "Choke" video and was doing some research and this popped up! Still confused when I would EVER use an Unun..!! LOL
Thanks for watching Callum! Yes you definitely do not need an unun with your antennas hahaha All the best and 73 my friend!
Nicely done Walt! Thanks, Don / KM4SON
Thanks Don!!
Great explanation of a very deep subject.
Thank you!
Finally I understand thanks 🙏🏻 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks for watching!
New guy here. Trying to build my shack and scared to death of lightning strikes as we get them fairly regularly. Antennas seem to be the most complicated part of radio. Proper grounding is the concern I'm trying to learn about most.
Earth grounding is important for permanent installs. Most of what I'm showing here are portable antennas.
Those splaining glasses does the work! Easy to understand for new hams!
Hahaha those splaining glasses work!
keep up the good work!
Thank you! 73, Walt
As a fellow ham, Greatly appreciated the breakdown and explanation as this always confused me.
Excellent, simple overview! Very helpful Walt! KC1RVK
Thank you!!!!
Nicely explained:)
Thank you!
Good stuff, thanks, it makes it clear now. I need different transformers for different antennas if messing with them, cheers from UK.
Mike
Thank you! 73, Walt
I especially liked the use of the hands and arms to demonstrate the matching of the antenna and feedline... ;)
Hahaha I’m one of those guys that talks with my hands.
Walt, your videos are so great and easy to understand. Thank you for simply breaking this topic down and easy to understand. Where or how do you build that cool on air sign? That looks awesome!
Great video 👍👍👍 Knowledge about where to use 1:1 , 1:9 or 1:49 is a must.
Thank you so much my friend!
Great video giving an easy to understand explanation. When I got licensed, UnUns weren't really being used but now they seem to be pretty popular. I had a random wire(not sure how long it was) antenna that was fed with single wire that went straight into the tuner. I wonder who many hams still do that? It worked well but on some bands the RF in the shack made the rig go a little haywire if the power was up too high. Your videos are always informative. Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much! I’ve been thinking about building a long wire antenna with that TenTec antenna coupler I showed in the video. So it would pretty much be like your antenna you described. 73 my friend!
Good Job on that one, UW. Happy New Year, stay healthy & keep up your excellent Work in 2024. 💯🙏🍀🛡♥👌
Thank you so much my friend!!!
Another great video. Would love if you did a basic video on how to get the G90 on the air and what sets to start at and what they do.
Thanks! I will try to di that soon.
That would be awsome! Thank you@@COASTALWAVESWIRES
Thank you… my confusion is no longer there. Your explanation is simple and correct. Your material (IMO) should be thought and provided in our question pools. So many ridiculous questions that are not relevant. 🎙️W1FYG
Thanks so much for the kind words my friend! Hope you are doing well.
I'm a noob, this definitely helped a lot.
Nice overview, Walt.
Thanks Mike!!!
Thanks Walt! That was a great video. BTW I just got the cool N4WIS qsl card from Joe.
Thanks! Awesome, glad you got the card!
@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks for the great explanation 😊.
Thanks for watching! 73, Walt
I think I get it - then i don't. UnUn makes sense for situations with an unbalanced match (49:1, 4;1 etc.). Then BalUn for 1-1 balance scenario (dipole example). But why would the Delta Loop not use a UnUn? It's 200 ohm t0 50 ohm, using a 4;1. Shouldn't that be an UnUn since it's unbalanced? YOUR CHANNEL HAS BEEN THE MOST HELPFUL/FUN/INFORMATIVE I've found. Can't express my gratitude enough. I'm on the list for a FX-4CR so I can't really start playing.
Oh wait, is the balance relating to the physical design of the antenna rather than the Ohms? Endfed uses an UnUn since the feed point is at the extreme end of the atennas, vs a dipole or delta loop where the feed point is in the physical middle of the antenna, and thus, sues an Balun. That would make sense. I hope I'm correct.
You are correct! But it doesn’t necessarily have to be in the middle, an OCF dipole uses a balun as well.
Nice explanation.
Thank you! 73, Walt
Thanks Walt, very much appreciated, now we have an idea why a Baluns and a Ununs is required....also explains why some home built antennas SWR OK work and some don't.
Thanks for watching and commenting! 73, Walt
Good overview on baluns 😊
Thank you!
Big Thanks!!!!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for another really informative video. Where did you find that chart of the wire lengths and corresponding transformer? Also do you have a video showing when you might need a counterpoise, vs radials? Now that the weather is a little nicer I’m going to actually start building these antennas.
The sum total of my knowledge as learnt for my foundation licence (oh errr !). UnUn - unbalanced to unbalanced . Balun - Balanced to Unbalanced. The rest is down to magic. 73 and Happy New Year to all.
Happy New Year and 73!
Good explanation! For those who only listen to shortwave, we don't get this knowledge like hams do.
Thanks for watching! I’m a SWL guy myself.
Thanks Walt. That was helpful. I had a couple EE classes in college 40 years ago when I earned my mechanical engineering degree, but there was zero material about RF antenna design. A friend of mine has a MS in EE and even that didn't cover much about RF. It was mostly IC design and signal processing for him. If the terminology was unbalanced match and balanced match versus unun and balun that would go some distance. The next step would be describe the circuit in a balun and the circuit in an unun and explain why it works for each type of antenna, respectively.
Thanks! I’m not sure if CZcams is ready for a structural design engineer to break down the circuit design of a balun or unun but I guess I could give it a try LOL. All the best and 73, Walt
Check your Balun/Unun. I bought a cheap 4:1 balun and installed it on a 17-5 antenna. Could not get the antenna to work properly. Narrowed the problem down to the balun. Took the balun apart and realized it was wired just opposite. It was a 1:4 instead of a 4:1. Simple to unsolder and rewired. That fixed the problem. SWR on 20 meters was less than 1.5:1. Probably rare problem but it can occur.
Happy new year Walt!
Happy New Year my friend!
An antenna tuner is only an antenna tuner when it is at the antenna. Matcher is more like it. Nice video Walt. I got a 9:1 kit from Palomar Engineering years ago and built as there instructions as a unun. Turns out it was an 8:1 not a 9:1 and there reason in the directions was the core selection. years later and a lot more education. It tested as a 8:1 not a 9:1. It will work with a non resonant but it will not tune quite right. Live and learn. I sent them an email over this, we will see what happens. I will rewind it so it is a proper 9:1 and make it useable
Roger that! Thanks
So you helped build Ocean Beach huh? LOL..... Well you figured out the plans and the structures and I nailed them together. Started my construction career in Newport Beach back in 75 when I got out of the service. Lived on a boat in the back bay while learning to pound nails and string wire. 73 and thanks for the great video. Still a little to learn about these things. Like how do you determine the impedance of the wire you are connecting to the ballun as a driven element?
Thanks for commenting! Determining the impedance of the wire can be done with an antenna analyzer and also by modelling the antenna. I basically go with known lengths and trim to suit. It would probably a good idea to do a video on that topic thanks. All the best and 73, Walt
Please do because I don't know what you mean by modeling. Please know that I am old and come from the TUBE days. Having a hard time with all the digital crap for the general test because of that. Wish I had gotten my General much earlier before all this digital stuff. LOL...@@COASTALWAVESWIRES
Good video and explaination
Thank you very much!
The Delta Loop raw impedance is closer to 100 ohm than 200 ohm. I've had better luck with a 2:1 balun and no tuner. Nevertheless a 4:1 balun will work... Txs for the video, very useful and well made. Keep on the great work!
Yes that was just a general overview to explain impedance. Thanks for watching!
So does that mean that the antenna tuner is doing the same matching, but between the transmitter and the coax? I guess the impedance of the amplifier output would change depending on what frequency you've selected, and that's why you need a whole other device? Because it seems that transmitter manufacturers could reasonably predict that 50 ohm coax is what they're gonna see on the output side otherwise. Maybe you could clarify antenna tuners in another vid, but this was really clear and simple for explaining the un/bal-un concept - thanks!
Thanks for watching. Yes the tuner is pretty much doing the same thing at the feed point. Basically with the random wire antennas and the 9:1 the idea is to get the match close enough for the tuner to somewhat "fine tune" it. Great idea, I'll look into doing a video on antenna tuners. 73, Walt
I think the simplest explanation is that a balun matches a balanced element to an unbalanced element. And an unun matches an unbalance element to another unbalanced element. I hope that helps. 73 Tom KC3QAC
Roger that!
Hi Walt, Happy New Year!! Hop you had a great Christmas too!! 73's VK5FCHM.
Thank you and Happy New Year! I had a great Christmas, hope you did as well my friend! 73
Currently learning. Thank you.
We’re all learning my friend, thanks for watching
Excellent
Thank you! Cheers!
And here I was scared you were going to pull up a Smith chart(kidding!). Thanks for the simplified approach of impedance matching coax/feed line to the antenna.
hahaha thanks for watching!
In aviation we call the tuner an antenna coupler. I always like that name as a better description of what it actually is doing. 73
I absolutely agree! 73
It is a coupler when the antenna is directly connected to the "output" end of the device. The coupler is typically remotely operated.
If the matching device is close to the radio, and directly controlled, then it is a tuner.
Hey Walt! another great video! I like making my own, rather than buy them. When you describe the impedance in ohms, That is exactly how you test them. I have resistors soldered together that approximate the EFHW, Random wire, or delta loop. Connect them to the antenna connection and the counterpoise connection or to the shield side of the coax. Then connect your swr meter, and if they give a close to 1:1 reading, you know they will do the job. When you make your own, you can tweak the windings, and tune them up even more. Have you seen the Gabil GRA-HF750T antenna setup? You can turn your qrp rigs into an HF walkie talkie with these. Add a short counterpoise and they will amaze you.
That's great info, thanks for sharing!
Just got my Gabil. I loooooove it.
Very interesting & detailed vlog, Walt. Thankyou very much. 73 de Pete GI0FZT.
Thank you Pete! 73 my friend!
Good explanation of un un's and transformers.
David M0DUU
Thanks David!
Good simple explanation, I understand now the need and differences between baluns and ununs and what antennas they are used on. As a shortage listener only, will I notice a difference if I match the balun/ununs to my antenna type?
Thanks!
Thanks so very much Kevin! 73
Great video. This is the video of yours I have watched. Have you made a video on how to find the impedance of an unknown antenna?
Thanks! No I haven’t but that would be a great topic. 73
Thanks so much, Walt. This is the video I have been *dreaming* of for a long time. I was so confused about this. Now I'm starting to understand how this works. This video will be of great value in my attempts at building antennas for portable operation.
I have a question though: what about a 1/4 wave resonant antenna with ground plane (or radiants)? You didn't mention this one. I presume what's needed is a unun since it's asymetrical, but with what ratio?
Hi Alain, great question. Have built 1/4 verticals without a balun or unun and they have worked great. I have a couple old videos on this but this one explains it simply:
czcams.com/video/BJXI4baYBok/video.htmlsi=vcfue-rqYnp_TMdw
A perfect 1/4 wave with a ground plane would actually have a 1:1 unun at the feedpoint as a 1/4 antenna typically has 50 ohm impedance. I hope that helps. 73, Walt
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES It certainly does. Thanks again, Walt. Best 73s.
Great explanation on baluns/ununs.....thanks!! For wire antennas though, are baluns and ununs primarily just a tool for connecting the wire to the coax....and doing that in a way that will closely match up the two with a transformer, (as well as to keep RF from making its way back to the radio)? I have my first HF radio on the way, and I ordered a manual tuner as well, since I thought it was a good idea to always use one. If I'm understanding correctly, the two options are....1) to use a balun/unun so you don't need a tuner and 2) to use a tuner with a choke so you don't need a balun/unun and just connect with a banana clip? In other words....using balun/ununs keeps the equipment to a minimum and gets you on the air quicker? Seems obvious now that I think about it.....but confirmation that I'm thinking correctly is appreciated.
Un is unbalanced and Ba is balanced, nice !
"Drive-by-engineer". As a long time machinist, that got a laugh.
Many learned people forgot their beginning and just assume new students already have the teachers basic knowledge. Thanks Walt.
Thank you!! 73, Walt
Great vid' , Walt...
What would you recommend the LDG 49:1 or the 9:1 UnUns for the field bag? What are your thoughts on the construction of these units? I've heard some sketchy stories about some of their builds. My MFJ-945e tuner works great...
Thanks! I have all the LDG transformers except the 49:1. I think they are great and would definitely recommend them for the field bag. I’ve never had a problem with them and they’re pretty much all I use. For a 49:1 I use a TennTennas build and it is great as well.
An excellent explanation as always Walt. It makes sense to those who don't know. However, there is one basic assumption that most YTers make, they assume that a budding antenna builder knows what the impedances are to start with for a prticular aerial configuration, I recall I think DC showing a dipole fed in the centre = 50 ohms and then moving the feed point to one end until it became an EFLW and the impedance was as high as it was "going to get".
Obviously the baluns for this would start at 1:1 going through 4:1, 9:1 and so forth on to 49:1, maybe that is a reference diagram that needs drawing by somebody? Then there could be coverage of those in the 64:1 range or special configurations?
Just a thought - 73 de Terry
Good thought Terry, 73 Walt
Maybe there is a market for a digital power meter that shows SWR and the impedance figure? I know that you can get meters to measure the impedance, but to have it on a straightforward 3 in one meter (that doesn't need a tutorial to remember how to drive it every time) would be a handy bit of kit? @@COASTALWAVESWIRES