CUBE Impedance Transformers (<1:1, 1:1, >1:1)
Palomar Engineers offers a variety of impedance transformers configured as Baluns (balanced coax to unbalanced load) or Ununs (unbalanced coax to unbalanced load) for matching typical 50 ohm feed line impedances to antenna or other load impedances.
We specify impedance ratios as an output to input ratio where the output (or load) is given first and the input is given second (e.g. 100:50 (2:1) would mean a 100 ohm output and a 50 ohm input; a 25:50 (1:2) would mean a 25 ohm load and a 50 ohm input). Most all products use a 50 ohm input unless otherwise specified.
We have products that are available as kits for the do-it-yourself (DIY) person or fully assembled and tested units for the “Plug & Play” crowd.
Note: we use stainless steel eye bolts and studs for all of our balun products. Most balun/unun boxes are 4" x 4" x 2" with some 5KW Hybrids are 4" x4" x 4" size.
SLIP-ON FERRITE BEADS
Baluns are used to connect balanced antennas to unbalanced transmission lines (Coaxial cable) and Ununs are used to connect unbalanced transmission lines to unbalanced transmission lines or unbalanced antennas (e.g. verticals). In the case of 1:1 baluns the input is usually an unbalanced coax cable and the output load is a two terminal balanced load like an antenna. Ununs are also called line isolators, feed line chokes, and 1:1 coaxial baluns (incorrectly). 1:1 Baluns and ununs stop common mode currents (flowing on the outside of the coax braid due to skin effect) when they are located at the antenna feedpoint. They can also be used as “line isolators/chokes” anywhere along the cable to suppress flow of induced RF (antenna near field radiation and neighborhood noise pickup) which helps suppress RFI into the radio receiver/transmitter. For best results, put one at the antenna feed point connection, and one at the radio room entrance, and for difficult common mode current cases, one every 1/4 wavelength along the antenna feed line. For low (below 3 MHz) frequencies, use two 5 bead baluns in series to double the choking impedance or order the 10 bead or 15 bead version for higher choking power.