Off Center Fed (OCF) Dipole Baluns

Testimonial

Hi Bob,

Radio: Flex-6700 running barefoot -10 to 100 Watts max.
Antenna: MFJ-1216 – 160/80 meter OCFD wire antenna with matching network.
Elevation: Over 60 feet AGL – fully extended.
Installed: Mid November 2013

I operate mainly on the digital modes running less than 50 Watts. All of the sudden after a few days operating with this antenna, I start to have RFI and my radio was acting up; such as changing bands, SWR changing values, radio failures and turning off. However, when I used my Hy-Gain 18 HT vertical on the same band none of the abnormality occurred.
I contacted MFJ and confirm that what I was noticing was a failure of their “matching network” AKA balun. They offered no solutions. Then I contacted Palomar Engineers and bought the 1:1 new toroid RF beads. I called Palomar Engineers and I happened to talked to you directly; regarding the on going issue with the MFJ antenna. I found out that the 1:1 balun was not what I needed (I was miss-informed by MFJ that it was 1:1 matching network.)
You offered to make the required balun 4:1 and the rest is history.

Here are my findings:

No more RFI displayed on the monitors.
Radio not acting up or turning off.
The SWR at 160/80 meter is 1.2:1
No antenna tuner required. (radio goes to Bypass automatically.)
Worst SWR is on 10 meter with a 2:1 but still usable, with antenna tuner 1.5.
One happy OCFD user!

Thanks to Palomar Engineers design and engineering for solving this issue.

73, Ernest – W4EG

Off Center Fed (OCF) Dipole Baluns

Dipole/OCF/ZS6 Antenna Wire Kits (160-6 meters)

Dipole Antenna Wire Kit for dipoles from 160 meters to 6 meter. Includes 2 end insulators, #14 Insulated stranded copper wire and spade lugs and heat shrink for lugs for attachment to an optional balun (use 1:1 balun for most dipole arrangements).

Insulators are a very stealthy, strong, pair of 2 PVC, 2 1/4" long. 1" wide. 1 1/8" hole separation wire antenna insulators and may be black, gray or white depending upon inventory