Mastering Coax Feed Line Chokes, Baluns, and Ununs: A Friendly Guide to Palomar Engineers’ RF Solutions

If you’ve ever heard strange noise creeping into your radio, or found your station mysteriously affecting your neighbor’s TV, you’ve probably tangled with RF interference. Every seasoned ham operator eventually learns that keeping radio frequency energy where it belongs—in the antenna, not the shack—is a crucial part of clean, strong communication.

Understanding RF Noise, Interference, and Common-Mode Currents

Think of your feed line as a two-way street. Ideally, power should flow out to the antenna and radiation should come back as a clear, balanced signal. But when common-mode currents sneak onto the outer surface of your coax, they carry RF energy right back into your shack.

Meet Palomar Engineers

Palomar Engineers have been trusted by hams worldwide for decades. Their products combine solid engineering with practical, field-tested designs. They make solutions that help hams eliminate RFI at the source.

Coax Feed Line Chokes Explained

A coax feed line choke prevents unwanted RF current from flowing on the outside of your coax shield. It’s like a one-way valve for RF energy—letting your signal radiate out the antenna but blocking it from running back toward your radio gear.

Choosing the Right Palomar Product

Palomar Engineers offer different choke kits depending on your setup: CMNF-500-50 for HF coverage, CMNF-1000-50 for high-power stations, and snap-on ferrite kits for quick fixes on existing coax.

Understanding Baluns and Ununs

A balun (balanced to unbalanced transformer) connects a balanced antenna, like a dipole, to an unbalanced feed line. An unun (unbalanced to unbalanced) connects an end-fed antenna to coax and matches impedance for efficient operation.

Installation and Best Practices

Mount your choke or balun close to the feed point of your antenna, keep coax loops neat, and test SWR readings after installation. Proper installation improves signal quality and reduces interference.

Conclusion

With the right chokes, baluns, and ununs from Palomar Engineers, you’ll eliminate noise, improve efficiency, and protect your gear. Radio should be fun, not frustrating—so clean up that signal and enjoy clearer communication.