The key to end fed antenna success is the matching network interface between the long wire antenna and the coax feed line and feed line choke at the transceiver. Palomar Engineers Bullet-9LF employs a dual core matching system that offers wide bandwidth down to 20 KHz (.02-31 MHz), 500 watt PEP rating, and a connection for a counterpoise or ground if desired. longer horizontal section, or as a random horizontal antenna between two trees or supports. Our network matching network is called the “Bullet” because of it shape and its effectiveness at taking down or contacting distant (DX) stations all over the world under the right conditions. The Bullet uses all stainless steel connectors and a dual core ferrite 9:1 unun for higher power rating then many competitive products. We sell the Bullet separately so you can add you own wire type and length (see table of suggested lengths below) or you can purchase a complete antenna system including wire and end insulator. For best results we recommend that the coax feed line be at least 1/4 wavelength on the lowest operating frequency since the coax braid is used as a counterpoise if you don’t use the external counterpoise terminal on the matching unit. We also recommend a feed line choke at the end of the coax feed line near the radio to prevent RFI common mode current from interfering with the radio. The BA-58 (slip on) or Kit 105 (snap on) sleeve chokes or simply a EFFLC choke with 10 turns of the coax line on RG-8X (1/4″ cable) typically used for low power operations. Bands Covered (meters) Wire Length (feet) Minimum Coax Length (feet) 40-30-20-15 35-43, 49-63, 70-85 35 40-30-20-17 35-45, 54-64, 67-77 35 40-30-20-17-15-12-10 38-44, 55, 60, 68-73 50 80-40-30-20-17-15-12-10 68-73, 85, 92, 102, 120-125 65 160-80-40-30-20-17-15-12-10 135, 141, 173, 203 130 If you run more than 500 watts PEP and need a high power 9:1 unun for your end fed antenna, check out the 1-7.5KW PEP ununs on the 9:1 impedance transformer page in our website at http://Palomar-Engineers.com . Installation For best results raise the Bullet matching unit as high as possible (use a tree or vertical support) and then extend the antenna wire horizontally or as an “L” (horizontal with vertical end drop).The antenna may also be deployed as a sloper with the Bullet matching unit at the top (best) with the wire sloping toward the ground (with the end high enough to avoid contact by humans or animals), or at the bottom of the sloper with the antenna wire rising to a higher point (see typical configurations below). Additional Typical Antenna Configurations: Antenna Length Modifications: For best results, chose a length from the table above as these lengths will form a non-resonant antenna for the amateur bands indicated.The antenna length should NOT be ¼, ½ wavelength on any frequency that you transmit as the impedance will be very high (or low) and will not transfer through the matching unit at a favorable impedance to your antenna tuner.The theory of the antenna length is to make the antenna non-resonant on any amateur band so that the impedance at the antenna side of the matching unit is in the range of 200-600 ohms and when divided by 9 will be in the range of your transceiver antenna tuner. Any length of 50/75 ohm feed line ok (over 35 feet minimum) but longer feed lines over 50 feet may show reduced SWR on some bands due to soil conductivity, nearby objects, etc. Due to local ground conditions, antenna height and feed line length, SWR may vary and an antenna tuner may be required or some bands to bring SWR at end of feed line to acceptable levels.Use of one or more ¼ wavelength counterpoise(s) connected to the ground post of the matching unit may also improve antenna efficiency and reduce SWR on certain bands.The first counterpoise should be installed under the horizontal portion of the antenna for best results Use a good quality 50/72 ohm cable adequate for the power level of your station.The Bullet-80 matching unit is rated for 500 watts PEP for SSB and 150 watts continuous carrier for AM, FM, digital modes, or 375 watts CW.If the matching unit becomes warm to the touch after transmitting at high power, reduce the power output or the internal matching unit may become damaged. NOTE: due to the nature of antenna systems and the modifications many users perform and the transmitter power levels that may be applied higher then the specifications, the antenna systems are NOT RETURNABLE unless they are unused, in the original packing with the original invoice and a return request is made withing 30 days of original purchase.
The “Bullet” End Fed Antenna Matcher - Low Frequency Model Bullet-9LF, Ham and Short Wave Listener
Suggested wire lengths for 1-31 Mhz operation (measured from Bullet wire point):
$129.95
Iron powder cores are more stable than ferrites and do not saturate as easily so they are best for tuned circuits, filters, and high power inductors. They come in different “Mixes” for use at different frequencies. For best “Q” use the Mix specified for your frequency.To find the number of turns to give the desired inductance for your coil use the formula below:
Turns = 100 x 
Toroid Dimensions
To order specify core size and mix (e.g. T200A-2). Available in sizes that have µH per 100 turns shown in table.
All iron powder cores are special orders. Please allow one week for shipment after order received.
The iron powder cores shown in the above tables are primarily used for either high power feed line chokes for common mode current reduction or for 4:1 and 9;1 very high power transmission line transformers.
For high power feed line chokes, choose the inside diameter of the iron powder core closest to the transmission line outside diameter and use 6-20 cores at the junction with the antenna feed.
For 4:1 (50/200 or 75/300 ohm) transmission line transformers in the range of 1.8-30 Mhz, select the size appropriate for the power level as follows:
T200A x 2 = 1.5KW
T300A x 2 = 2.5KW
T400A x 2 = 5KW
Use Mix 2 for all the above transmission line transformers. Fully assembled and enclosed units are available for each of the power levels. Click HERE for information.
4:1 transmission line transformers using iron powder cores are typically used for ladder line to 50 ohm coax connections
For .1 – 2 Mhz wide band transformers use Mix 26 which has a higher permeability and requires less turns to achieve a given inductance. Mix 2 has almost constant permeability from 1-30 Mhz. Mix 26 has an initial permeability of 75 at .1 Mhz and gradually decreases to about 10 at 30 Mhz. For high power AM broadcast range (.5-1.7 Mhz) transformer, use Mix 26 to reduce the turn count.
Minimum order for iron powder cores is $50
Shipping on larger cores in quantity may be more than $10 – email/call for quote.