Is a balun needed for a dipole antenna?
Paul, a dipole does not *have* to have a balun. Having one may help prevent RF from coming down the line into the shack and may improve the radiation characteristics of the dipole, but I’ve run dipoles connected straight to coax without a problem. Put one up without a balun and see how it works for you.
What kind of balun is used for dipoles?
The best balun for the Windom or Off-Center Fed Dipole is a 4:1 ratio current balun.
What is a sleeve balun?
This balun adds a short-circuited sleeve around the coaxial cable, which somewhat resembles a bazooka, giving it the name. Bazooka or Sleeve Balun. An equivalent diagram of this balun is shown in Figure 2. Figure 2.
Why does dipole need balun?
A dipole is what is termed a balanced antenna. In an ideal world a balun should be used with coaxial feeder (which is unbalanced) to make the transition between balanced and unbalanced systems. The use of a balun will prevent the coax radiating any power or picking up any noise.
Is a dipole antenna balanced or unbalanced?
Antennas can be balanced or unbalanced. A balanced antenna is symmetrical about the feed point (e.g. a dipole) whereas an unbalanced antenna is not systematical about the feed point (e.g. a Windom). In the real world all antennas are unbalanced to some degree.
Is a dipole antenna balanced?
A dipole is what is termed a balanced antenna. In an ideal world a balun should be used with coaxial feeder (which is unbalanced) to make the transition between balanced and unbalanced systems.
How is dipole antenna calculated?
When determining how long to make each leg of a Dipole antenna, dividing the frequency in MHz into 468 will give the overall length. To find the half wave, divide that number by two. This will give you the length of each leg of the antenna.
What are dipole antenna used for?
Dipole antennas are used in many areas, both on their own and as part of more complicated antennas where they can form the main radiating element. They are used in many forms of radio system from two way radio communications links, to broadcasting broadcast reception, general radio reception and very many more areas.
Whats the difference between a balun and a UNUN?
A Balun is used to match a balanced line to an unbalanced line. An Unun is used to match an unbalanced line to another unbalanced line. This is a 4:1 Current Balun. The only difference between the Unun and Balun is how you connect the feed line.
What is a balun or Unun?
A Balun is used to match a balanced line to an unbalanced line. An Unun is used to match an unbalanced line to another unbalanced line. This is a 4:1 Current Balun.That means it can match a 200ohm antenna to a 50 feed line. If you plan on stringing up a dipole you use 2 equal lengths of wire with the Balun in the middle.
What is RF balun?
RF Balun Basics & Selection. A Balun is a device that is used to join a balanced line to an unbalanced line. A balanced line is one that has two terminals, neither of which are connected to the ground, whereas an unbalanced line has one terminal connected to ground. RF Baluns can also be used as transformers to provide impedance transformations.
What is a dipole TV antenna?
Dipole means “two poles,” and is typically the simplest type of antenna, such as the familiar “rabbit ears” on a television. Multiband refers to radio communications across frequencies reserved for uses such as air band, public services, marine band , and citizens band, television, and commercial radio transmissions.
What is a center loaded dipole?
The centre-loaded dipole is a single band antenna most useful when there is insufficient space to erect a full size 1/2-wave dipole so most likely it will be used on the 40m and lower frequency bands.